Student Spotlight: University of Auckland 6-Week Internship Program in Mumbai 2025

The University of Auckland collaborated with Global Career Center (GCC) on an 6-week internship program in Mumbai, India. This blog post features a profile of BCom/BSc student at the University of Auckland, Devanshi Ranjan.

"I am honoured to have been one of 17 University of Auckland students awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship in Asia (PMSA), following a competitive selection process. The experience was funded by the government and administered by Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao.

The award enabled me to shift from a visitor perspective to one of a global citizen. While I had visited India before, it would always be for family events/weddings, meaning most of my time was spent in family settings. This time, I explored India through an entirely different lens, in a new professional work culture, living in varied accommodation, engaging with locals, and learning to navigate in diverse environments (Mumbai, Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, and Rishikesh).

From left to right: Camel ride in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan; Trying on traditional Rajasthani attire; Devanshi with internship supervisor Rahul Merchant and Chaitanya Sant at Mantraa Luminosity.

I strengthened numerous skills, including resilience, problem-solving, and adaptability, by stepping outside of my comfort zone in an unfamiliar city of 22 million. From navigating the notorious local trains, engaging in mutual cultural exchange with locals, to even attending a dance class with Swarupraj Medara (a renowned Bollywood director and choreographer), the experiences were deeply rewarding. The hands-on living and work experience highlighted both shared and unique expressions of values (such as manaakitanga) across cultures and allowed me to bring various global insights back home. 

My internship intertwined my marketing studies with my passion for film and design. It was at Mantraa Luminosity - a high-concept design, marketing, and distribution company that has delivered campaigns for 500+ feature films. Based in the ‘City of Dreams,’ I was immersed in the heart of Bollywood, surrounded by neighbourhoods of stars and colleagues with experience working with them. 

From left to right: Devanshi on-campus at the Uni. Auckland 360 International Expo; Group of students at the Gateway of India; Meet & Greet with NMIMS Uni students; PMSA 2025 cohort at the airport.

Thank you to the team for making me feel so welcome. In particular, thanks to my supervisor, Rahul Merchant (Managing Partner & Director of Business), Chaitanya Sant (Managing Partner & Creative Lead), and Naveen Shah for connecting us. 

I was able to share my experience through photos/videos, blog posts, and even a week’s 360 International Instagram takeover. Upon returning, I had the pleasure of volunteering at the University of Auckland 360 International Programme Expo. Thanks to the PMSA 2025 cohort for making this trip so memorable.

Thank you to Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao, University of Auckland 360 International, and Global Career Center (GCC) for this incredible opportunity. In particular, thank you to Naveen Shah, Bobbie Stewart Noloboff, and Chandra Leenheer for your immense efforts in making this experience truly unforgettable."