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

The University of Auckland collaborated with Global Career Center (GCC) on a 6-week internship program in Mumbai, India. The opportunity was funded through the New Zealand government's Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia (PMSA). This blog post features profiles of students Hayley Brown and Jumana Maash (with more student spotlights to come).

Hayley, a Global Politics, Human Rights and French major at the University of Auckland, shares a recap of her experience in Mumbai: 

“I’m a bit too excited about the past few months not to share what’s been a pretty unforgettable experience.

January marked the beginning of my 6-week internship in Mumbai, India through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Award. I was fortunate to join the legal team at Vipla Foundation, working on sex-trafficking prevention. My role involved researching case law, identifying patterns in acquittals, and pinpointing areas where prosecution could be strengthened. From raid procedures to medical examinations, victim testimonies to witness reliability, I saw how every detail plays a pivotal role in case outcomes.

Beyond the workplace, I was fortunate to be immersed in India’s rich culture - navigating the public transport system, attending an Indian wedding, and even watching a live cricket match!

A huge thanks to Global Career Center (GCC), The University of Auckland, University of Auckland 360 International and Education New Zealand, Manapou ki te Ao for making this experience possible”.

If you’d like to read more about Hayley’s experience, check out her blogs on the 360 International page.

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Jumana, a third-year LLB/BA student majoring in Psychology, shares her experience in 'mastering Mumbai, one street at a time': 

"I started my 2025 off by completing a 6-week internship in Mumbai through the Prime Minister's Scholarship.

During my time there, I worked at URJA TRUST, an organisation that fights for the rights and rehabilitation of homeless young women. Urja provides round-the-clock care for survivors of family and sexual violence, from providing legal and medical assistance to immediate shelter and mental health support. I was lucky enough to work across many branches of the organisation - supporting the legal team in drafting documents, collaborating with the mental health team on intervention strategies, and observing caseworkers as they provided long-term, holistic support.

Beyond my internship, living in Mumbai was an experience in itself! The city’s energy, the warmth of its people, and countless cups of chai made it a time I’ll always remember. Whether navigating busy streets or discovering the local culture, every day was a new adventure. I hope this won't be my last time in Mumbai - it's a city that's left a lasting impression, and memories that I hope to recreate again one day!

Looking back, I will forever be grateful for my time in India - not just for the lessons it taught me, but for how it changed me as a person. The people I met, the experiences I shared, and the culture I immersed myself in have left an undeniable mark on me. I can happily say that I'm leaving India with lifelong friendships and a transformed perspective on life.

A huge thank you to Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao, University of Auckland 360 International, Naveen Shah and the rest of the team at Global Career Center (GCC) for making this experience possible, and to the incredible team at URJA TRUST for welcoming me with open arms."

To read more about Jumana's time in Mumbai, check out all of her blog posts on the 360 International page.

University of Auckland students pause for a photo in front of the iconic Taj Mahal at sunset.

Stay tuned for future blog posts featuring more student spotlights! Internships in India are a highly rewarding experience for students, both personally and professionally, but they can be challenging for universities to coordinate. GCC's Director of India and South Asia Programs, Naveen Shah, is a native of India and has been managing global internship programs for almost 10 years in Mumbai and Bangalore.

If you're interested in creating a program in India or would like more information on GCC's other global locations, connect with us at info@globalcareercenter.org.