With the Hong Kong Summer Internship applications process beginning in mid-November, Mr. Dylan Hunt gives students a glimpse into his experience.

“I want anyone interested in going to know that the experience is life changing,” said Mr. Dylan Hunt about the Hong Kong Summer Internship opportunity with Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, made possible by distinguished alumnus Mr. Justin Chiu and his wife Rita through the creation of the Justin Chiu International Scholarship and Rita Chiu Study Abroad Bursaries.

Mr. Hunt was one of two interns who travelled to Hong Kong during the summer months of 2011, to experience first-hand what it is like to work in the Chinese international financial centre, at a property development firm run by Mr. Chiu, who is described as one of the most inspired and innovative property developers in the city. Fellow traveler Shalico Christian describes his internship experience here.

“I am truly grateful for the generosity of Mr. Chiu,” said Mr. Hunt, “who taught me how important it is to live your life to the fullest and give back what you can. Every moment I was fortunate enough to spend with him I learned so much. I hope that one day I can give back to Trent in the same way.”

Advice for prospective interns:

To give others an idea of the rigorous competition for the internship, Mr. Hunt said that students need to compile a number of documents, including a personal essay, a resume, references and more. Mr. Hunt was one of four talented students who were shortlisted for the intense interview in 2010. “The process to win the internship took longer than the internship itself,” said Mr. Hunt, “but it was definitely worth it.”

Once the successful interns are chosen, they will be employed by Cheung Kong (Holdings) full-time for the summer and provided with an apartment in Hong Kong. Self-motivated, flexible and dedicated students with a track record of successful project implementation and/or employment experience are eligible for the internship.

Mr. Hunt spent four months in Osaka, Japan for a study-abroad program before the second-year student was elected to the Trent Business Students Association as the director of marketing. He was also selected the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) representative for Trent University. “I know now that without experiences like these, I would not have been able to work in Hong Kong for such a fast-paced real estate company,” said Mr. Hunt.

In his office, the building where the popular motion picture The Dark Knight was filmed, Mr. Hunt described his typical days as being spent with vibrant, talkative coworkers who taught him about everything from Cantonese to the best places to try food in Hong Kong. “We would usually go to lunch as a team – eight of us – to get Chinese lunch boxes, or perhaps some chicken feet,” he said. He also spent time on the road, travelling to new developments to learn more about the competition.

In his spare time with his counterpart, Mr. Shalico Christian, Mr. Hunt tried to do something different and interesting every day. “With only two and a half months in Hong Kong, it was important to see as much as possible!” He said. “The amazing things to do ranged from Happy Hour at the Russian ice bar to shopping at the Temple Street Night Market, where I learned how to negotiate like a professional.”

“I will take the Hong Kong Summer Internship experience with me for the rest of my life and I am incredibly excited for the students that are selected to go this coming year,” said Mr. Hunt.

Mr. Dylan Hunt is also featured in Meet a Trent Student in Showcase, Trent’s biannual teaching and research magazine.

Posted on Monday, November 7, 2011.