My Internship Journey Reflection @ atWare Vietnam

Bao Dang Quoc
August 07, 2025
5 mins read
My Internship Journey Reflection @ atWare Vietnam

Chapter 1: The Introduction

As my two-month internship at atWare Vietnam comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey — the things I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, and the experiences that made it all memorable. This blog is a way for me to look back, capture those moments, and maybe share something valuable with future interns too.

I joined atWare Vietnam as a software engineering intern from June to August 2025. I worked with a supportive team and mentors who made me feel welcome from day one. Honestly, I was both excited and nervous at the beginning — excited to work in a professional environment, but also unsure of what to expect. Looking back now, I’m glad I took that first step.

Chapter 2: The Remarkable Growth

I spent my first week at atWare Vietnam diving deep into modern software development — not just the tools, but also the principles behind them. I was introduced to concepts like SOLID principles, clean code, Agile development, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Although I was familiar with Git, this internship gave me the opportunity to explore many advanced features and workflows I hadn’t used before, including development models like Gitflow, Trunk-based development. I also got to work with technologies that were completely new to me, such as TypeScript, AWS (especially API Gateway and Lambda functions), and Terraform. Everything felt new and slightly overwhelming at first, but also incredibly exciting — like I had just stepped into a much bigger world.

The main project I worked on during the internship was built with React and Java Spring Boot frameworks, following the clean architecture approach. Through this, I got hands-on experience with frontend development while also understanding how the backend and business logic come together in a scalable structure. It was my first time working in a proper codebase with well-defined layers and architecture, which gave me a better sense of how professional software is built and maintained.

Besides that, I also had chance to join a side project with two other interns. In this one, we explored the Next.js framework on the frontend and NestJS on the backend, and also learned about monorepo setups using tools like Turborepo. One of the most interesting challenges was implementing a drag-and-drop feature. Surprisingly, we were also given the opportunity to research and propose the tech stack that best fit the project's requirements. More than just technical growth, this project was a chance for us interns to collaborate closely, share ideas, and learn from each other.

Beyond technical skills, this internship taught me that coding is not everything. I learned the true value of teamwork, effective communication, and building confidence. Most importantly, I’ve realized that it’s okay to be afraid of making mistakes — it’s part of how we grow.

Chapter 3: The Memorable Moments

During my internship, we often had reading sessions where everyone gathered to share about tech, Agile, AI, tools, or simply played quiz games like university exam questions. These moments made learning fun and brought the team closer.

Usually in the afternoon, someone would buy drinks for the whole office, creating a warm and friendly vibe. There were also special moments when the team prepared birthday cakes to celebrate members’ birthdays. Another memorable activity was playing Blokus together — I usually got completely crushed, no mercy at all! Even though I kept losing badly, those moments were full of laughter and really helped us bond as a team.

atWare Vietnam members playing Blokus - a true mind battle

Chapter 4: The Amazing People

What made my internship truly unforgettable was the nurturing environment created by the amazing people at atWare. Everyone’s genuine enthusiasm and unwavering support made me feel welcomed and empowered from the very beginning. They didn’t just share knowledge — they invested in my growth, encouraging me to express my true self and develop my skills with confidence. Being surrounded by such a talented, caring and inspiring team made all the difference in my journey.

We (interns) having congratulation cake with funny title

Chapter 5: The Final Thoughts

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone in the atWare family for creating such a nurturing, inspiring environment where I could learn, grow, and truly be myself. This internship has been an unforgettable journey filled with valuable lessons, meaningful connections, and moments I’ll always carry with me.

A journey I’ll never forget. Thank you for everything.