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Madisyn Babb ‘27 had never traveled outside the United States before this summer. Now, she’s spending the summer in Singapore helping promote a new wearable sensor technology that aids senior citizens in recovering more quickly from pain, injury, or surgery.

“Being able to live and work abroad while interacting with people from different backgrounds each day has been an impactful experience,” Babb said. “I've learned a lot professionally and gained a deeper appreciation for Singaporean culture, especially its emphasis on cleanliness, sustainability, and diversity.”

Babb, who is studying marketing at Lehigh University with a minor in graphic design, is working for a startup called Rebee. She is one of 70 students currently participating in the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), which has placed nearly 900 students in high-quality summer internships across five dozen countries since its launch in 2011.

Growing Engagement in Asia

In particular, IIIP has been steadily expanding its presence in Asia. This year, more students were placed in Asian countries than in any other region, according to Anastassiya Perevezentseva, Assistant Director of IIIP. Additionally, staff from Lehigh’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) have hosted dinners, meetings, and outreach with students in Asian countries.

“As Lehigh becomes more globally engaged, Asia has emerged as a key region for student internships,” Perevezentseva said. “By expanding opportunities there, we’re helping students build cross-cultural competence and gain real-world experience in some of the world’s most dynamic economies.”

Scott Koerwer, Executive Director of the Iacocca Institute, said this type of engagement with the region was made possible through the generous support of the Freeman Foundation: “We are deeply grateful for Freeman Foundation’s continued investment in global learning opportunities, which allow our students to connect meaningfully with communities across Asia and develop the cross-cultural competencies that define the Iacocca Institute’s mission."

A total of 22 students have been placed in Asian internships by the program, including in Nagoya, Osaka, and Singapore, Perevezentseva said.

Babb was drawn to Singapore because it offered internships across a wide range of majors, including marketing. Once she arrived, she was captivated by the country’s culturally diverse cuisine and strong emphasis on sustainability. Babb believes it's important for Lehigh students to explore countries like Singapore and gain exposure to the broader Asian region.

“I believe everybody should get the chance to visit Asia due to its cultural richness and delicious cuisines,” she said. “It’s such a unique experience and I never could have spent two months living in Singapore if it weren’t for the Iacocca International Internship Program.”

Newly-formed partnerships

As part of its expansion in Asia, IIIP launched a new partnership with the Global Career Center (GCC), which connects learners of all ages with organizations across industries worldwide. GCC collaborates with educational institutions to bridge education and employability through program development, service delivery, and curated experiential learning.

“We have been working with universities around the world for almost twenty years, and have been impressed with the strategic approach and partnership level with Lehigh University,” Moore said, adding that expanding in East Asia provides particularly strong opportunities for Lehigh students.

DeAndrea Daughtry ’26 is also studying in Singapore through the IIIP and GCC partnership. A double major in biology and health, medicine, and society, she’s interning with Medlink Healthcare Group, conducting market research to help the company expand its first aid training courses into Malaysia.

“My internship has completely exceeded my expectations,” Daughtry said. “I’ve learned so much about the business side of healthcare, which I hadn’t considered deeply before. It’s made me think about potential alternative career paths and broadened my view of what’s possible in the medical field.”

New cultural experiences

Daughtry, who had never traveled overseas before, has had the chance to explore many cultural neighborhoods and try a wide range of cuisines. She has visited several popular attractions in Singapore, including Fort Canning Park, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Universal Studios Singapore, and the island of Pulau Ubin.

“There’s so much culture, innovation, and professional development happening across Asia,” Daughtry said. “IIIP expanding its engagement with the region gives Lehigh students valuable exposure to new perspectives, work environments, and global challenges.”

Kiri Lee, Professor of Japanese in Lehigh’s Department of Modern Language & Literature, hosted a session with about two dozen students in April who planned to intern in Osaka and Nagoya in Japan as part of the extensive semester-long pre-departure preparation provided by IIIP. They discussed a variety of topics, including geography, climate, proper attire, and what to do in the event of an earthquake.

“I believe it's essential for young people to engage in cultural and linguistic experiences in non-Anglophone regions, particularly in Asia, where they often find themselves as racial or linguistic minorities,” Lee said. “These experiences can foster a deeper sense of empathy and understanding toward people from diverse backgrounds.”