Hello, I’m Angel Jauhari—a Master’s student at the University of Queensland, specializing in Finance and Marketing. I am also the founder and CEO of Kolmi, an EdTech startup dedicated to helping Indonesian students excel in their IELTS speaking tests. Currently, Kolmi supports over 500 students across Indonesia.
This November to December 2024, I left for Hanoi, participating in UQ's Startup Adventures program. This is a four-week business placement with eJOY English, where I work as a Marketing Intern
Pre-departure Expectations
Working at a startup, in my mind, means working in an environment with minimal hierarchy, casual dress codes, and brainstorming sessions filled with creative ideas.
Being placed at eJOY English, an EdTech company similar to my own Kolmi, I was eager to gain insights that could help propel my business forward. My focus was on marketing strategies such as brand awareness campaigns through podcast and video content on social media.
Week 1
My first day at eJOY English felt like stepping into a new exciting dimension.
Their platform, is designed to make language learning engaging through gamification, featured leaderboards, AI speaking, and interactive challenges.
Key Highlight
Brainstorming marketing strategies, from launching a podcast to crafting viral TikTok campaign
Producing podcast. A single podcast episode required 13 takes! A humbling yet inspiring experience for me.
Cultural Insights
Exploring Hanoi’s history deepened my appreciation for its cultural richness. A visit to the Museum of Ethnology revealed striking similarities between Vietnamese and Indonesian traditions, from stilt houses to handpainted textiles!
I also picked up some Vietnamese words from just talking to people on the street. One day, I caught an online car, and the driver taught me some numbers in Vietnamese words. I ended up memorizing the numbers 1 to 25 in Vietnamese!
Weeks 2 & 3
Highlights
Participating in a business pitching competition at Foreign Trade University, where my team proposed an eco-friendly air filter designed to combat pollution. We won it! First place!
Experiencing real Vietnam experience by staying at my local friend's house, cooking together with their families, and trying out some authentic snacks.
Challenges (Language Barrier)
I am not an English native speaker and I once mispronounced and English word, making my friend corrected me. Mispronouncing “Chancellor” as Kanselor sparked laughter among my colleagues, teaching me the importance of embracing mistakes with grace and humor.
Week 4
As the program drew to a close, I became fully immersed in startup life and its blend of creativity.
Key Takeaways
I learn about confidence. Presenting my ideas for our marketing campaign help me practice my presentation skill.
I learn adaptability. Embracing cultural differences enriched my approach to diversity and understanding differences. For example, my manager, too, is a non-native speaker, and so I try to communicate and clarify our discussions about the marketing campaign before I implement it.
I lear about humility, and this is my favorite. On week 3, we (Hanoi Cohort Students from UQ) had the opportunity to meet His Excellency Andrew Goledzinowski, the Australian ambassador to Vietnam, at his house. During the network session, I got to know Nhung Le, Business Development Manager at LIFESUP Technology. She was the awardee of the full-ride scholarship, Australian Awards.
She is a UQ alumna, majoring similar major as me! We spent hours there talking about how education affected our lives in many positive ways.
Nhung and I set a meeting again on the following Sunday to explore the city. We visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum & Mausoleum, where Nhung shared the legendary life journey of Mr Ho Chi Minh, or the Vietnamese call him “Uncle Ho”. It was an amazing day for me.
This new connection reminded me of the power of perseverance and gratitude.
What This Experience Means for Kolmi (and Me)
Hanoi itself was a revelation. I love its vibrant street food scene, its lakes and temples, and just the warmth of its people.
This journey has been transformative, both professionally and personally. My time at eJOY English provided me with practical insights into gamified content selling educational products, which I plan to implement at Kolmi.
This experience also reinforced my belief in my potential as a person, a woman, a scholarship awardee, and a global citizen.
Startup life is dynamic, challenging, and profoundly rewarding. This program has taught me a lot, to embrace imperfection, adapt to change, and find joy in the journey.
Armed with newfound skills, cultural insights, and a deeper sense of purpose, I am eager to take Kolmi to new heights.
Comments