Jasmine Fortez, an undergraduate Computer Science major, was recently awarded the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) Internship Award for her participation in a Technology Internship in Singapore.
The competitive award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional achievement while gaining career training and global work experience.
For Fortez, the decision to pursue a global internship was driven by a desire to gain professional experience while exploring the world and engaging with other cultures. “I didn’t want to fall behind during the summer while everyone else was doing internships,” she said. “But I also really wanted to travel, so I started looking for opportunities abroad where I could do both.”
Her search led her to a global internship opportunity in Singapore, an ideal location for her interests in technology and proximity to her home country, the Philippines. While there, Fortez interned with Variantz, a local start-up, as an application developer. Her project focused on building Merchanex, an Uber-style app for on-demand handyman services.
“The app worked like a real-time platform where users could request services based on availability and ratings, similar to how Uber functions for transportation,” Fortez explained. Built using React, the app was designed for both iOS and Android users. Fortez worked closely with UI/UX designers and backend developers, gaining valuable experience in team collaboration, cross-functional communication, and agile project development.
The internship also gave her firsthand experience in a start-up environment, offering flexibility and insight into working in shared co-working spaces. “We only had to be in the office twice a week, so sometimes I’d work remotely from cafes,” she said. “It taught me how to be independent and manage my time in a professional setting.”
Fortez’s experience extended beyond the workplace. Living abroad reshaped her outlook on life and helped her grow personally. “It changed my perspective,” she said. “I was alone in a new country, learning how to navigate life, choose who I spend time with, and value experiences. I learned how to balance working hard with living in the moment.”
Seven students from UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz received awards celebrating their outstanding achievements and personal growth while interning abroad.
UCEAP Internship Awards are handed out twice a year to recognize students who have
distinguished themselves while acquiring career training and workplace skills on a study abroad
Program. See the UCEAP Awards webpage for information about award cycles and deadlines.
Fortez will embark on a UC Santa Cruz Exchange Program at Seoul National University in fall 2025 to study Computer Science. Learn more about Exchange Programs on the Global Learning website.
Providing Global Learning Opportunities for All is key to the UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan for Internationalization.