UNDERGRADUATES typically seek internships with better-known companies, with the hope of gaining experience and preferably receiving a better allowance.
However, Singaporean Esther Yeon, 24, took a different path by coming to Penang for her internship, despite the disparity between the Singapore dollar and Malaysian ringgit.
Since May this year, she has been interning with TLM Event Sdn Bhd, one of the leading event companies in Penang, and will conclude her internship at the end of the George Town Festival 2023, which runs until the end of this month.
The George Town Festival (GTF), organised by TLM Event, is a project undertaken by the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI). It is endorsed by the Penang state government and the state exco for tourism and creative economy (Petace) and supported by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Penang Global Tourism (PGT).
“The George Town Festival has often been mentioned by my lecturers as a very successful arts event and I wanted to experience it myself as an audience.
“But it just so happened that when it was open for internship, I decided to seize the opportunity and come here to be a part of the festival.
“Several of my friends were surprised that I would uproot myself from Singapore to come all the way to Penang.
“But I think the money is not really the issue for me because whatever I learn from George Town and whatever I experience here would not be able to put a price on it,” said Yeon, a second-year arts management student at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore.
Her mother initially had some worries about her coming to Penang since none of her children had gone overseas for an internship. However, after ensuring all arrangements were in place, she gave her blessings.
Esther is the second student from LASALLE College of the Arts to intern with TLM Event during the George Town Festival, following her senior in 2019, with whom she does not know.
She encourages her fellow students to do overseas internships or participate in the George Town Festival, as it can offer unexpected benefits and opportunities.
“If my fellow students want to try something new or be a part of something bigger, I would say go for it,” she said.
Upon arriving in Penang two and a half months ago to prepare for the various events under the George Town Festival, Esther’s main challenge was the language barrier. English being her first language, she had to adapt to the widespread use of Mandarin among her new colleagues.
Jack Wong, the managing director of TLM Event, highlighted the success of the festival, as evidenced by the participation of representatives from LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore.
He said the college and TLM Event have a collaborative relationship, and they have been invited to Singapore to share their experience with the students.
“The George Town Festival gives art students an opportunity to learn. We definitely need more manpower during this time, especially those with a passion for arts.
“I appreciate Esther for giving her input and helping us a lot in our preparations. She is very hardworking and passionate about her work. In fact, she will be the main co-ordinator for the ‘Little Macam Macam’ programme, one of the festival’s programmes, this Sunday.
“George Town Festival is an iconic event and has a good reputation in this region. A lot of people feel it is a good platform for them to learn from Penang and the festival.
“We also accept local interns. We select only a few because we want to make sure we can provide proper guidance for them,” Wong explained.
He attributed the success of the GTF, now in its 14th edition, to the support of the state government and Petace.
He said this year’s GTF is back to its full physical event, including for foreign participants, after being affected for the past three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The GTF was held fully online in 2020, hybrid in 2021, and back to full physical event in 2022 but scaled down with only local artists involved.
Joseph Ng Soon Siang, the former Air Itam assemblyman, said when the George Town Festival started, many did not expect it to go so far.
He said it has been a long journey, considering that some programmes could last only three or four years.
“The fact that GTF can survive until today is also a credit to everyone. During the shows, we have seen foreign viewers as well, and every year, they look to July to fly into Penang. This shows the success of the event.
“Credit goes to the curators, starting with Joe Sidek and then TLM Event. It is not an easy project. You have to think out of the box to create a one whole month programme and scatter it around George Town area and beyond its boundaries,” Ng commented.
The upcoming programme under the George Town Festival is the ‘Little Macam Macam’ programme, which will be held at Taman Desa Mawar in Air Itam on July 23 (Sunday) from 5pm to 10pm. The programme promises fun activities for children and families.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting