){kind=logo}
Interview with Fuxinya
My Marketing Internship Experience for a Fashion Brand in Bali
"I started this internship to learn more about marketing and fashion, but what really surprised me was how much I ended up learning about myself.” Fuxinya, Rotterdam University of Applied Science The Netherlands
During her time in Bali, Fuxinya picked up tons of experience, from understanding how marketing ties into real success, to figuring out how to adapt and grow in a completely new place."
)
Fuxinya’s Journey coming to Bali
At just 20 years old, Fuxinya, an International Business student, decided to take a leap and do her internship at a fashion company in Asia. What started as a mandatory university requirement quickly turned into something much more exciting. It was actually her mom who suggested looking into Bali as an option and that’s when she came across Bali Internships. “They really helped me a lot with finding an internship and organizing everything,” she shared. Fuxinya had been trying to land an internship on her own for a while, but it wasn’t easy. What stood out to her was how smoothly Bali Internships handled everything, from connecting her with the right company to guiding her through the interview process. Since she was in a bit of a rush to secure a placement, having everything taken care of so efficiently was a huge relief and a big bonus.
)
Activity during internship
On a typical day, Fuxinya starts her morning with a simple routine, waking up and heading straight to work. Once at the office, she dives into her assigned tasks for the day, but her responsibilities go far beyond just ticking boxes. One of her main projects involved researching and identifying potential companies that aligned with her company’s goals and values. It wasn’t just about Googling names, it meant diving deep into each company’s background, analyzing their vision, and determining if they’d be a good fit for a future collaboration. This kind of strategic thinking was something new to her, and she found it both challenging and exciting. But what made her days even more enjoyable was the opportunity to balance structure with creativity. While she followed clear instructions and goals, she also had the freedom to explore her own ideas, especially when it came to content creation.
Fuxinya started creating content inspired by the things she genuinely liked and the company condition around her. She learned to turn everyday observations into creative ideas. Coming up with content this way quickly became one of her favorite parts of the internship. It gave her the space to express herself and experiment with different formats and styles, all while still contributing meaningfully to the company. What started as a daily routine of checking off tasks turned into a dynamic experience full of learning, exploration, and creative growth.
)
Newness and joyful challenges
Whenever you move to a new place, especially for something as long as a 20-week internship abroad, food quickly becomes one of the most important parts of your daily life. It’s not just about eating; it’s about adjusting, exploring, and sometimes even surviving unfamiliar flavors. “Bali offers so many kinds of food to try. I really like Indonesian food, it’s delicious! But Balinese dishes are always spicy, and sometimes I just can’t handle the heat,” Fuxinya admitted with a laugh. Thankfully, adapting to the local food wasn’t too difficult. If you’re a fan of spicy flavors, you’ll feel right at home. But if not, there are always other options, and most places are happy to adjust the spice level if you ask. Trying local food is more than just a matter of taste, it’s a way of experiencing culture. Every dish tells a story: from the ingredients they use, to the way it’s prepared, and even how it’s served. Some spices or cooking methods are so unique, you’ll only ever find them in that specific region. Bali is full of rich, bold, unforgettable flavors. And once you get a taste, it’s not just the food you’ll miss when you leave, it’s the feeling of discovering something new and delicious every day.
Another important thing to consider when moving abroad, especially to a place like Bali, is transportation. Coming from the Netherlands, where public transport is reliable and everywhere, adjusting to Bali’s way of getting around can be a bit of a shift. Luckily, Fuxinya had done her homework before arriving. She chose to stay in a place just a 10-minute walk from her internship office, which made her daily commute super easy and stress-free. No traffic, no waiting, just a short morning stroll to start the day. When it comes to exploring the rest of the island, she found online transportation apps to be a total lifesaver. They are incredibly easy to use, fast, and surprisingly affordable. Whether it's a quick ride to the beach or a weekend trip to a new part of the island, getting around Bali turned out to be simpler than she expected. With a bit of planning and flexibility, transportation didn’t become a problem, it actually became part of the adventure.
How she grows with this internship journey
Professionally, Fuxinya began to discover the beauty and depth of marketing the way each product a company brings to the world isn’t just something to sell, but a result of creativity, strategy, and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. As she got more involved in the daily operations, she started to understand how every detail matters, from branding and messaging to knowing the right audience and the best channels to reach them. She took the time to dive deeper into how the company functions, learning new industry terms, exploring different marketing techniques, and gaining insights she hadn’t encountered in the classroom. It was a learning curve, but one she truly enjoyed, especially because it allowed her to connect theory with real-world practice.
On a personal level, Fuxinya gained so much more than she expected from her internship abroad. Living in a completely new environment for several months taught her how to truly rely on herself. She learned how to manage her daily life independently, making decisions, solving problems, and taking full responsibility for her actions. This experience helped her get to know herself better. Being away from her usual surroundings gave her the space to reflect, grow, and face the things she often overlooked or avoided. “I just get to face more stuff I struggle with and I actually enjoy that, because I’m responsible for myself now,” she shared honestly. She also noticed a shift in the way she views others. Being in a different culture, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and experiencing a new way of life helped her become more open-minded and less judgmental. The challenges she faced became opportunities for growth, and the independence she gained became one of the most empowering parts of her journey.
)
Connect with others
One of the moments that made Fuxinya feel truly connected during her time in Bali was the Bali Internships gathering. It was more than just a social event, it was a space where she met other interns and volunteers who were going through similar experiences. Coming from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, everyone had a unique story to share, but that’s exactly what made it easy to bond. Through these conversations, Fuxinya gained new perspectives and insights that she wouldn’t have found in a textbook. Whether they talked about work, culture shock, or weekend adventures, every interaction brought something valuable. “You can become friends with anyone here, people are so friendly. It’s really different from my country,” she said with a smile. Networking in Bali felt effortless. Instead of being formal or intimidating, it happened naturally, over dinner, on a group walk, or while sharing stories from their internships. After the gathering, she even joined a group of interns and volunteers for a trip to explore Bali’s natural beauty. Together, they visited waterfalls, wandered through ancient temples, and made memories that turned casual connections into real friendships. These moments of connection reminded her that while professional growth was important, the personal relationships and shared experiences were just as meaningful.
After all her experiences in Bali, Fuxinya summed up her time on the island with three powerful words: friendly, beautiful, and spiritual. These words captured not only the vibe of the island but also how deeply the place had impacted her. Like any meaningful journey, Bali became one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. “Every place you stay will always give you something to miss,” she said, “but Bali just does it so well.” When asked what advice she would give to future interns or volunteers considering Bali, her answer was thoughtful: “Do a bit of research about the country before you come. Bali is incredibly friendly and very open, but it’s also very different depending on where you’re from.” Understanding the culture, customs, and everyday life can really help you prepare, mentally and emotionally for the experience ahead. Getting to know the place before arriving doesn’t take away from the adventure, it actually makes it more meaningful. When you know what to expect, even just a little, it’s easier to adapt and appreciate what’s around you. For Fuxinya, this sense of awareness made her transition smoother and allowed her to fully embrace all that Bali had to offer.
By Komang Trisa
)
)