Laura Fitz, University of Iowa

June - August 2009

I am an undergraduate senior from the University of Iowa. I interned with the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy, and Bangkok from June 8-July 31, 2009. During this two month period, I gained so much experience, and contributed and assisted U.S. Companies in the export of their products and services.

Absolutely thrilled to get started, I jumped right in and began working with Thai and American colleagues. I was so happy that everyone was so kind and gracious in assisting and guiding me through the different projects and research.  I felt that this internship was exciting and kept me on my toes.  Every week and a half I was introduced to a new project. They ranged from: researching Thailand’s packaging industry market, promoting new products for U.S. companies, introducing U.S. franchise companies, working with the Regional Intellectual Property Officer, crafting intellectual property toolkits for the website www.stopfakes.gov, and serving as media escort for the arrival of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Thailand.

Since I ended the U.S. Commercial Service, Bangkok internship summer program, I still feel that participating in the summer internship program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. To work in Thailand, was such an incredible cultural opportunity.  I gained so much global and business understanding and knowledge. And I will never forget the people I meet and those who guided and taught me throughout the two month time span. I will always be thankful for memorizes and the chance to take part in this internship. I highly encourage others to apply!  

Brian Quinlan

June - August 2009

My internship at the U.S. Commercial Service was a fantastic experience. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in international business or international trade and is looking for a challenging and rewarding internship.

During the summer I worked with a dedicated and helpful staff of both Americans and Thais. Unlike other internships, you are treated as part of the team. I did not just get to see how international trade worked between Thailand and America but actively assisted the staff. A great aspect of the internship was the variety of projects that I took part in: I helped do market research on logistics and management consulting in Thailand; I assisted the intellectual property lawyer on crafting toolkits to help American businesses understand the intellectual property laws of the ASEAN countries; and I assisted the embassy staff with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Bangkok.

I also got to live in the wonderful city of Bangkok – the regional hub of Southeast Asia. Bangkok is a safe city that is filled with great food, friendly people, and a handful of Starbucks.  With the continuing rise of Asia, Thailand will continue to grow in importance in the global economy.  

Looking back, I feel extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to intern at the U.S. Commercial Service. I recommend it to self-motivated undergraduates and graduates.

Kanchanok Phoousaha, Assumption University

March - May 2009

As experience is the ultimate teacher, I decided to gain my learning experience through internship program. U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy was my first choice due to the good reputation. After going through a lot of processes, I have got to be an intern in this office.

During my internship program, I have learned a lot about businesses in many different industries. My primary assignment was being an assistant to commercial specialists; conducting market research, providing Department of Commerce’s services to client, and updating the database in CMS. Also, I had a chance to participate in trade event; Offshore Asia 2009 which open my eyes to the gas and oil industry.

All the staffs in this office are very kind and welcome. They will always there whenever I need help or get lost with something. They’re willing to share their own experience, both job related and life related, with me as much as they can. It’s such a nice atmosphere to be working in.

To sum up, I think this program is very useful for undergraduate or graduate students which should be continue forever.

Napat Siri-Armart, Thammasart University

I am a new graduate from Faculty of Law Thammasat University.  On the last day of school, I walked around the campus thinking  “What’s Next?” after the end of student life.  What should I do from now? Law students do not have much choice; either continue a master degree in Law or do more study and try passing the Thai Bar exam to become a lawyer, District Attorney or a judge. 

Then I saw an ad on summer internship with U.S. Embassy, Bangkok.  My sudden thought was   Oh….wow!!!!! Have I been dreaming? I felt like lucky stars hit my face. I cannot imagine how many Thai people who have a chance to work at the U.S. embassy? To do  internship here will give good opportunity for me to practice my English language skills and see how different it is between the law in text books and the law in practice. After went through one process after the others, then my dream came true. I would be working at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Foreign Commercial Services Bangkok.  

I felt like home the first day I entered the Embassy and impressed from the first day I set my feet in Commercial Services Office until the last!  Everyone was very kind and nice to me.  In addition to updating  IPR toolkit for 10 ASEAN member countries, translated legal documents, and assisted with other related works such as updating new laws, I had opportunities to participate in  many IP related events with Regional Intellectual Property Attaché and Intellectual Property Specialist to learn their works and how The Embassy cooperates on IP issues with Thai government agencies.  Once, I have an opportunity to assist IP specialist and the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand in the interview of Deputy Commerce Minister, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, on IPR issues in Thailand.   It not only gave me a wonderful exposure but also a fantastic memory for me to think about.  Days after days, I gained a lot of experiences not only on legal knowledge but also to handle unexpected problems, which may come up during the days.

Since ending of internship program I still think about how wonderful memories with commercial service section and how nice and welcome everybody are. I would recommended this is the best place for fresh graduate student or college student  for have a great experience in internship like me.   

Chontida Navacharoen, Chulalongkorn University

March - May 2008

I always wanted to spend my summer here in the US Embassy and here I am sitting in the US Patent and Trademark Office in the Commercial Service Section. I was first nervous about being here alone. As great power comes with great responsibility, (though I’m not a super girl!) being the only intern in this office means that there is no one to ask or help with the assigned works. T_T

Well, my initial thought was gone when I met my Supervisor who is very caring and funny. I did learn a lot not only about working experience but also ways of living. This internship taught me what is it going to be in a real work life. I never regret even a second being here. Everyone showed me how is it like to work in a warm and homey office. I never felt alone and everyone was always there when I need help.

I always said to myself what a great opportunity I’m here. Only 2 months of the internship may seem very short for someone, but for me it is full of good memories, which I will always look back. It’s hard to leave this loving office but I guess it is time for me to keep going and explore this big world. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to join the office to get to know very nice people here.

Nattavut Suwanyangyuan, Chulalongkorn University

March - May 2008

I think that I had a great experience of being an intern at the U.S. Commercial Service Bangkok. During my internship, I worked on a wide variety of assignments.

I was responsible for handling many tasks such as conducting the market research, providing assitances to Commercial specialists in conducting department of Commerce’s services. For example, I did the International company profile, updated the database in CMS and made a survey about Corporate Social Responsibility of U.S. organizations in Thailand. Furthermore, all the staffs here are very kind and friendly. They tried to teach me a lot and let me learn many new issues. In addition, I have also attended an Asia Commercial and Economic Officers Conference Bangkok 2008 concerning the current issues about CIP, IPR and Trades and a presentation given by the representative from U.S. government and private sectors.

Lastly, I would recommend this internship to motivated undergraduate or graduate students.

Melissa Pongtratic

July - September 2007

My summer internship at the U.S. Commercial Service Bangkok has helped to put a cultural perspective on doing business not only in Thailand, but Southeast Asia. I conducted a market research report on the automotive industry in Thailand and its plan to initiate an Eco-Car project to stimulate domestic and exports sales growth in the midst of political and economic uncertainty.

I also worked on a regional project developing a toolkit for intellectual property rights in the Philippines. This brought forth awareness of the many challenges the Philipinnes faces in its efforts to combat counterfeiting, piracy, and copyrights infringements. I teamed up with the Thai staff to help revamp its marketing plan in efforts to generate more traffic on their website and increased usage of promotional materials.

Away from my desk, I have been able to attend a conference hosted by the United States Patent and Trade Office concerning the current intellectual property issues facing the ASEAN region and a presentation given by the Asian Development Bank. I also had the priveleged opportunity of attending a seminar on global marketing in the 21st Century by renowned marketing guru, Philip Kotler.

The U.S. Embassy community here has been very welcoming and has opened my eyes to the many different opportunities in the public sector.

Seth Tator

July - September 2007

My internship with the USCS Bangkok provided me with broad insight into the challenges faced by US Multi-national companies. During my internship I worked on a wide variety of projects.

I conducted market research on Thailand's long range power production plan, which provided useful insight regarding political and economic challenges faced by US companies bidding for lucrative power gerneration projects abroad. My internship also included work supporting  a sales seminar, for a large IT Hardware company seeking to expand its sales in the ASEAN region. This project was conducted in conjunction with the Hong Kong office allowing for additional cultural perpsective regrding the challenges of selling into the Asian markets in general.

I had the opportunity to work with the Bangkok team assessing a CRM upgrade process, providing direct experience working with a Thai team. The Bangkok team has been wonderful, always helpful and providing great advice to ensure that my family and I had a great time in Bangkok. I did not fully grasp the extend of USCS's clout with local businesses, and working in the office provides great access to the Thai marketplace. I would recommend this internship to motivated undergraduate or graduate students.