Marketing major Nikki Groce ’21 traveled to Hong Kong over summer 2019 to work at PVH Calvin Klein as part of the Iacocca International Internship Program.
Groce was one of 80 Lehigh students interning across 32 countries in 2019 as part of the program, which allowed her to work in regional marketing and communications. During her 11-week internship, Groce completed work for the marketing team in the Asian markets, including Taiwan, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
“The experience was transformative for me as a student, but more importantly as an individual,” says Groce, as she learned to balance her personal life with a full-time job. “I was able to be independent and learn more about myself during the process.”
Groce also experienced firsthand the anti-government protests in Hong Kong and stayed safe by taking suggested precautions.
“The protests were very disruptive with our daily life, especially in the latter half of our internship,” Groce says, noting Mass Transit Railway disruptions. She also refrained from going out at night as protests turned violent. “The protests began right after we arrived, so we truly got to experience everything develop as tensions grew and conditions worsened.”
At Lehigh, Groce, who is minoring in business information systems and communications, is a tour guide, admissions ambassador, president of LU’s Finest Step Team, social chair and fundraising chair of the Belly Dancing Club, administration assistant at The SOuRCe, diversity ambassador and a fellow in the Global Social Impact Fellowship.
The Iacocca International Internship Program sends students overseas for work or research for six to 12 weeks. A total of 586 students have participated in the fully funded program, which has spanned 50 different countries on six continents.
Photo by Kevin Mak
