Leaving the dream: A summer internship that's more than just work

Choosing Bali felt natural for us. It was the perfect balance of work and adventure. Like many other people, we had watched Bali’s digital nomad boom on YouTube, seeing creators live, work, and thrive on this island paradise. We had always dreamed of experiencing that for ourselves, and now we can finally tick “live in Bali” off our bucket list.

From day one, we were trusted with real responsibilities. What surprised us most was how hands-on everything was. Whether we were coding analytics tools or experimenting with backend logic, everything we did have a real-world impact. And while the pace was fast, the working environment encouraged growth and challenged us in ways we hadn’t experienced in school.

Started with a blank canvas: Jaren Goh

I’m studying Economics with a second major in Data Science from Singapore Management University (SMU), but I didn’t choose this marketing internship in Bali because it’s related to my degree. I chose it because I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to live in Bali. One of my biggest dreams is to open a café someday, and I wanted to see if the pace of life here fits me. What better way to find out than by spending three months working abroad here? It’s Bali anyway, I’ll never say “no” to a trip or trying something new. As long as it doesn’t clash with anything, I’m in!

Joining as a marketing intern for Incentro Asia Pacific came with its own challenges. There was no established social media for the region yet, so I had to build everything from scratch. From scripting and filming content to editing videos (like the one below), designing marketing collaterals, and creating a detailed social media calendar, I had to innovate to get things moving.

What made it even more meaningful was getting to use my Data Science background in real projects. One of my goals here is to create an automated marketing analytics tool using the coding skills I gained in school. It is my way of leaving something useful behind that will help the team long after I have left.

Thrown into the deep end (in the best way): Sophie Montalban

Same as Jaren, I’m from Singapore Management University, studying Information Systems, and currently spending my summer internship in Bali. I joined Incentro Asia Pacific as a Frontend Developer because I wanted to experience what it’s like to live and work abroad while I’m still young—why not, right? I’ve always been drawn to hands-on, unique experiences both at work and in life. Even though I wanted to experience all of these, new experiences actually stress me out a little (okay, a lot), but I dive in anyway—and that’s exactly how I ended up doing my tech internship in Bali. With Incentro’s motto, “Change is business as unusual,” I knew I was in for something interesting.

I came in hoping to learn as much as I could—and the company definitely delivered. I was immediately immersed in a variety of real-world projects that challenged me and helped me grow. From day one, I worked across different web platforms, picking up new languages and frameworks along the way. The fast-paced environment meant I had to learn quickly, but that made the experience even more rewarding. I even had the chance to explore backend development—something I didn’t expect going in, but really enjoyed diving into by the end of the internship.

Life after work

As exciting as our weekdays were, Bali truly came alive after hours. Humbling surf sessions, aerial yoga at sunset, spontaneous café hops, and waterfall hikes quickly became part of our rhythm. Living with fellow SMU students made it even better. We cooked meals with our housemates, traded Bali travel tips over martabak, and tried just about every local dish we could get our hands on—babi guling, bakso, mie babi, nasi campur… the list goes on.

One unforgettable experience of our summer in Bali was climbing Mount Rinjani in the neighboring island of Lombok. It was brutal, cold, steep, and long, but standing above the clouds with a group of new friends made every step worth the fight. It was a reminder of how far we had come, both literally and figuratively. New places, new people, and new challenges are exactly why saying yes to doing our internship in Bali was the right call.

Another massive highlight was our company retreat to Sumberkima, a peaceful corner of northwest Bali that most tourists never see. There, we snorkelled in clear waters and helped plant corals as part of a conservation effort, restoring the ocean ecosystem. It’s hard to imagine an internship back home in Singapore offering anything quite like that.

A community, not just a workplace

The Incentro Asia Pacific team in Bali wasn’t a typical workplace. The office has no assigned desks. There are only open rooms and long shared tables, making the whole place feel like a co-working space filled with energy and creativity. This setup naturally sparked collaboration and conversation, making it easy to learn, share, and connect with the team.

Despite being interns, we were never made to feel like “just interns.” Our ideas were welcomed, our contributions valued, and our growth supported. Even with occasional language barriers, the people around us were always ready to help and always up for a chat or a laugh.

The work culture here struck a rare balance. It was laid-back yet passionate, collaborative yet focused. It made the office a place we actually looked forward to coming to.

Why I would do it again in a heartbeat

It wasn’t just the location, although yes, spending our summer in Bali and waking up in paradise every day certainly helped. What truly made the Bali internship experience unforgettable was the people, the purpose behind the work, and how much we grew, both professionally and personally. At Incentro, we weren’t treated as interns. We were trusted with real responsibilities, and we could see the impact of our work. Whether it was building systems from scratch or contributing to live client projects, we left knowing we made a difference.

Beyond the technical skills we picked up, coding frameworks, campaign planning, and analytics dashboards, we learned how to adapt to fast-paced environments, how to ask better questions, and how to take ownership of what we do. Living and working in a different culture taught us independence, resilience, and how to find joy in the small things, like team lunches, inside jokes at the office, and everyday problem-solving.

Author

• Jaren Goh, Singapore Management University
• Sophie Montalban, Singapore Management University

Editor

• Trifitri Muhammaditta, Incentro Asia Pacific