Name: Jolan Zheng
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Psychology, Education
Minor: Mathematics
 
Internship Organization:  Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital
Internship Title:   Assistant
Location:  Hangzhou, China
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer, I am interning in the psychology department at Zhejiang Province People’s Hospital, where I work closely with clinicians and staff as a psychology intern. Much of my work involves observing therapy sessions, assisting with case discussions, and supporting intake procedures for new patients. I also help with documentation and research-related tasks, which gives me valuable exposure to how psychological theories are applied in real clinical settings. Each day, I am learning how professionals approach patient care with empathy and cultural awareness, while also strengthening my own communication and observation skills. I also had the opportunity to participate at hospital ward rounds with the director of psychology. Through this experience, I learned to listen more attentively, take accurate notes, and analyze cases from both clinical and humanistic perspectives, deepening my appreciation for the balance of professional expertise and empathy in psychology.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I wanted to connect my academic background in psychology with real-world clinical experience. I also saw this as an opportunity to explore potential career paths in clinical psychology while contributing meaningfully to patient care.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

One thing I didn’t expect to learn during my internship was how much psychology involves teamwork and communication beyond direct patient care. I assumed most of the work would be individual or between doctor and patient, but I realized that effective treatment relies heavily on collaboration among doctors, nurses, interns, and social workers. I didn’t expect to realize how many different life stories, challenges, and struggles people carry with them. Through this internship, I have met individuals from very diverse backgrounds, each facing unique circumstances that shape their mental health. Some of the cases even involved extreme behaviors that I had never encountered before. This experience has opened my eyes to the complexity of human experiences and reminded me of the importance of approaching each patient with empathy, patience, and an open mind.  

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience? 

Eye-opening, Challenging, Rewarding 

Growth, Empathy, Patience