Student testimonials
Griffith Asia Business Internships
Hear what students have to say about their experience
Students who have undertaken a Griffith Asia Business Internship in recent years share their experiences with in-country and remote internships.
Testimonials have been sorted by country and year or you may scroll down for student videos.
In country
Republic of Korea
 | Margo DohertyBachelor of Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations In-country Global Internship with JH Sustain, Seoul I interned at JHSustain and experienced the Hybrid work mode, allowing me to understand how I work best in different settings. As this was my first internship, I was understandably anxious, however, my co-workers immediately treated me as one of their own and made me feel as though I was a part of the team. My main role was in researching policies involving water security, a topic in which my degrees did not focus on. However, I found the topic very interesting, as although I was unfamiliar with the topic, I was able to apply the skills I had learned in my degrees while developing them to a higher standard. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my time in Seoul and with the Griffith Asia Business internships program! I highly recommend the program to anyone else considering an internship abroad! |
 | Codi TiedemanBachelor of Business / Bachelor of Design - Marketing & Graphic Design In-country Internship IDP Education Korea, Seoul My experience with IDP Education in South Korea has been the most memorable, exciting, challenging, and motivating element of my Bachelor of Business & Design degree so far. Spending seven weeks in the world’s centre of innovative business culture and technology, taught me more about my industry and global business than I ever knew before. Undertaking an internship internationally seemed daunting before I left Australia, but the streamlined and simple process of securing a placement, combined with the assistance the GABI staff give each individual student in the program really makes you feel at ease. My internship was with IDP Education – a global company specialised in international education services, who assist students in Korea to pursue further education overseas. I was working very close with their marketing team and creating a lot of collateral for their website, digital advertising, brochures, and informational guides for students. With extensive experience in graphic design and marketing in Australia, I utilised my strengths to produce creative ways to present information to students in Korea – meaning all my designs were in Korean language too. Some highlights for me was experiencing life in the middle of Seoul (one of the most populated cities in the world), visiting the Australian Embassy in Seoul, networking with members in the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and the many nights of drinks, food and laughter with other Griffith students. My internship in South Korea will forever be a memorable and pivotal part of my career journey, and I recommend this internship experience to anyone who is willing to step outside of their comfort zone and not afraid to learn something new! For more insight into Codi's internship (above right), watch her Internship Video at the bottom of the page. |
| Jack ShepherdBachelor of Business Global internship with Allive Creative, Seoul 2019 The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Global Mobility Internship has provided me with the opportunity to explore cultural awareness within an international workplace setting.By doing so, I have been able to develop primary cross cultural communicative tactics, whilst learning how to better conform to international workplace ideologies. This internship has positioned me strongly to attain workplace employment upon graduation, as I developed various skill sets pertinent to industry practice in my time with Allive Creative. Additionally, I have been given the chance to employ certain frameworks learnt in a theoretical capacity into a practical context. I would highly recommend this internship to any student interested in working in global business environments. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope it provides the same experiences for future NCP mobility students. |
| Cara ConfessoreBachelor of Government and International Relations Global internship with Austrade, Seoul 2018 “You must be very brave and quite the risk taker, you’ll be a formidable force in whatever you do, I’m sure”. These words have resonated with me. I was told this during a Start Up Demo Day in South Korea, where I was representing my host organisation. Those words were spoken by an Entrepreneurial Professor; who I met and chatted to during the event. These words have encouraged me to see that the Global Mobility Internship initiates growth on such a monumental level. My host organisation, Austrade, provided so many opportunities for me to broaden my network and confer with so many intelligent, interesting, and adroit minds, like the Professor. Austrade also provided me with many transferable skills such as; teamwork and adaptability, and allowed for me to learn extensive knowledge about South Korean markets and trade relations with Australia. My supervisor was an incredibly kind and communicative leader. He provided me with knowledge that I will take with me in all my endeavours. The team at Austrade was incredibly welcoming and made such an incredible effort to expose me to all the intricate details of working in the trade and investment sector of politics. The work was both interesting, insightful and relevant to my degree. |
Samantha Johnston | Seoul 2018
| Samantha JohnstonBachelor of Business / Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management Global internship with ANZ, Seoul 2018 The Global Internship Program allowed me to expand my thinking by providing me the opportunity to visit South Korea, which is a country that I have always wanted to visit but never had the opportunity until now. This program encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and created challenges that aren’t available in Australia. I was presented with the opportunity to test my knowledge, enrich my knowledge and actually put my knowledge into action in a workplace environment. This experience is one that I will treasure for my lifetime. Overall the Global Internship was not only a rewarding once in a lifetime experience, it has provided me the direction of where I want to go and where I can see myself in the future. Providing insights into my strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to discover new experiences that I didn’t even know were available. This is something I wouldn’t have discovered in Australia and I was only able to discover when placed out of my comfort zone and into a unique environment. This opportunity allowed me to challenge my current learning from Griffith University and effectively put my knowledge into practice. I would definitely recommend the Griffith Global Mobility Program to any university undergraduate or postgraduate. |
Japan
Cherinee Van Der Korput | Tokyo 2022
 | Cherinee Van Der KorputBachelor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management Global internship with Education First, Tokyo 2022 I was lucky to have developed transferable marketing skills whilst undergoing the internship; this included market research, content marketing, search engine marketing, video marketing, social media marketing, guerrilla marketing, database Not only did I find growth within myself, but I had grown EF Japan’s |
 | Ya'el LinzerBachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of International Business In-Country Global internship with HEA IP Law Firm, Tokyo 2022 I loved my accommodation and its location, my workplace and what I’ve learnt, and the people I’ve met along the way. I had such a variety of experiences in Japan of the working culture, the routine, the commute, the travel to nature on weekends, the exploration of the city, and feeling overcome by a whole new adventure. I feel as though I’ve grown as an individual and that to me is the most invaluable part of travel overall. |
 | Belinda MaherBachelor of Business In-Country Global internship with Sumida Brokers, Tokyo 2022 Overall, my six-week internship with Sumida Brokers and Consulting was a valuable learning experience that has improved myself awareness, independence, and industry knowledge. The internship experience allowed me to identify my strengths as well as areas that I would like to work on before I graduate in order to maximise my employability. Additionally, gained a greater understanding of my career goals which will assist me in making career decisions. |
 | Georgia CampbellBachelor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management Global internship with ICC Consulting, Tokyo 2022 I initially applied for this internship as I thought it would be a great way to establish my professional self and start to grow my future career. Little did I know that I would end up having the best experience of my life, meet some amazing fellow students, discover a deep love for different cultures, and establish the desire to work abroad. |
Jordan Leadbetter | Tokyo 2018
| Jordan LeadbetterBachelor of Business / Bachelor of International Business Global internship with Global Sky Education, Tokyo 2019 My 7-week internship gave me a small glimpse of life in Japan and sparked my curiosity to explore and experience new things. Through travelling Japan, you will have the opportunity to be exposed to different situations that can allow you to learn a lot about yourself and the nation’s people. Human interactions are the foundation to building connections, which can open many doors that can help you and your future endeavours. As I explored Japan I had unique interactions with the history, culture and the people. These interactions opened my eyes and helped me realise the lack of knowledge and experience I have with the world outside my immediate bubble. |
| Felicity BeikoffBachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations Global internship with AGREX inc, Tokyo 2018 Throughout November and December 2018, I was honoured to have been selected by Griffith University to take place in a Global Internship. I was placed in Tokyo, Japan and allocated a position in the IT firm of AGREX inc. I gained many transferable skills, enhanced my language skills and made new friends. Despite not knowing Japanese, the company I was placed in had few people who could speak English; this language barrier forced me to really develop my non-verbal communication, as well as picking up the Japanese language basics as quickly as possible. Within the firm, I gave presentations in both Japanese and English, as well as writing a research report on the management style of AGREX, the Current Global IT trends and potential firms for AGREX to expand to within Australia. Overall, the experience has allowed me to develop both professionally and personally. |
| Hoang (Trang) HoBachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations Global internship with Steelcase Japan, Tokyo 2018 Completing the internship abroad has not only taught me the skills needed for a professional workplace, but it has also given me the courage to live in another country and appreciate the culture and their ways of living. It has dramatically strengthened my sense of independence in having to face challenges in adjusting to a different lifestyle. Saying 'Yes' to almost every opportunity that came my way demonstrated to be the most immersive way to make the most of every moment knowing that I only had a short time there. The friends made, many awe-inspiring moments shared all from the word 'Yes' had surprised me in so many ways professionally and personally, it greatly improved my self-esteem. I highly recommend it! |
| Carissa McCannMaster of International Relations Global internship with Education First (EF) Tokyo, 2018 Japan was full of unexpected challenges and opportunities. I was lucky enough to work at EF for my 6-week winter internship. EF is one of the largest language companies in the world. Here there was plenty of opportunity to immerse myself in both cultural and professional aspects of Japanese life. I learnt quickly to adapt to all situations and expand my skills in graphics design, communication and professional development. I found myself doing all sorts of tasks including teaching, designing important flyers, creating movies and quizzes, as well as creating English lessons. I learnt the basics of Japanese very quickly and with the support of my mentor, June, developed an understanding of the international workplace. This was my key goal in deciding to go to Japan. The experience was not without its barriers: Language being the worse of all. But I think being thrown in head first, made me try different communication methods and learn Japanese quickly. As EF was very international, I was exposed to the best of many different cultures. I learnt about several different languages and will continue to pursue Japanese until proficiency. Interning in Japan was an incredible experience! I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn and grow as a person. The professional opportunities, new cultural exposure and pro-activity I gained will stay with me throughout my life and professional career. |
| Robert PercyBachelor of Business Global internship with Syn Japan, Tokyo 2018 I was fortunate enough to participate in the Global Internship throughout Trimester 3 of 2018. To anyone thinking of applying, I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. Thanks to this program, I was able to experience working and living in the heart of Tokyo for two months. The company I was placed at was well suited to my interests and career aspirations, and allowed me to further my own skills, as well as gain an understanding as to my current skill set. After my placement finished, I was offered the opportunity to return to Tokyo in a permanent position at the company I was working at, an offer which I plan to take them up on. Overall, this experience was very challenging, but extremely rewarding and one that will remain with me for as long as I live. I would count this experience as invaluable in developing the skills necessary to succeed within a corporate environment, so I would encourage anyone seeking to enhance their employability to get involved! |
Malaysia
Annabelle Christie | Malaysia 2022
 | Annabelle ChristieBachelor of Business In-country Internship Zafigo, Kuala Lumpur Undertaking the GABI in Malaysia with Zafigo was a challenging yet rewarding experience that will significantly contribute to the achievement of my future goals. Throughout the internship I was pushed outside of my comfort by being assigned new tasks with no previous experience, such as writing news articles, as well as attending media and networking events, and navigating my first time living abroad. However, by doing so I believe I have successfully gained new employability skills, grown greater confidence to network, as well as developed abilities to live and thrive abroad. Although, my proudest and biggest accomplishment was the proposal of an article on Volunteering with Elephants in Thailand. Once it was approved, I was given the opportunity to travel to Thailand to create and share content on Zafigo’s Instagram, and after pouring my heart and soul into the article, it was published – check it out here. My best advice would be to actively go after what you want! |
 | Malinda DonnyBachelor of Business / Bachelor of International Business In-country Internship Accendo, Kuala Lumpur The Griffith Asia Business Internship has provided an eye-opening experience for me, I have gained valuable experiences which will help with my future career upon graduation. The program has provided so many opportunities that can improve my ability to continue expand my expertise in HR as well as International Business. I’ve leant how to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment and navigate through the different cultural awareness and differences within Accendo Technology Company. I’ve learnt to connect and network with other Australian business partners trading in Malaysia through MABC networking night, stipulating my career development skills and interpersonal knowledge. I have given the opportunity to expand my capability working as a HR team member in Malaysia and I strongly believed that this program has helped improved my knowledge in international Business and built strong ties and relationships within the company. I 100% recommend this program to any individual who is seeking to expand their career development at an international level. |
Indonesia
Chelsea Phillips | Jakarta 2019
| Chelsea PhillipsBachelor of Business Global internship with Rouse Consulting International, Jakarta 2019 Having the opportunity to intern in Jakarta, Indonesia was the most eye-opening and valuable experience to kick start my career. This country had so much to offer culturally and allowed me to gain a different perspective and understanding to the world around me. Through experiencing diverse situations and navigating a new city as an ‘expat’ I was able to develop various skills that have not only developed my confidence, but taught me many transferable skills. The full-time internship gave me an insight as to what life as a HR professional would entail. I was able to gain hands on experience that has truly helped me to gain employment as a graduate. An internship is the most valuable experience you can undertake for yourself, not only professionally but also personally. I can’t recommend the Global Mobility Internship Program highly enough to students. Participating will be the best decision you make. |
China
| Jack HoseMaster of Business Administration (MBA) Global internship with AustCham, Shanghai 2019 I have had a tremendous personal and professional development experience in Shanghai and at AustCham Shanghai. The AustCham Shanghai team were all great, really welcoming and enjoyable to work with. |
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| Jack HoseMaster of Business Administration (MBA) Global internship with AustCham, Shanghai 2019 I have had a tremendous personal and professional development experience in Shanghai and at AustCham Shanghai. The AustCham Shanghai team were all great, really welcoming and enjoyable to work with. |
| Ramzi MattaBachelor of Government and International Relations / Bachelor of Asian Studies Global internship with American Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai 2019 I enjoyed my time in Shanghai and felt that I learned a lot at my host organisation about myself and about the business world of China through the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. I am glad that I achieved all the goals I set for myself to varying degrees of success and that I established that I still wish to live and work China. Going forward, I hope that I will be able to take what I have learned and apply it to new situations, both professionally and personally, especially focusing on finding work more relevant to my degree. |
Jessica Farrell | Shanghai 2018
| Jessica FarrellBachelor of Business (Marketing) / Bachelor of Laws Global internship with Daxue Consulting, Shanghai 2018 I undertook the Global internship in Shanghai, China as I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and it gave me an opportunity to do something I would have never done otherwise as I knew none of the language or the culture. I can honestly say it was extremely eye opening especially for someone who had never worked full time in an office, lived outside of home or who had gone overseas for longer than two weeks without others. I would not hesitate to recommend this experience to anyone else thinking about pursing an international internship as it was an amazing experience and so worth it. It has made me so much more globally aware and has given me an opportunity to think deeper about a lot of areas in my life and about myself as a person and to grow as a result. It has also given me professional experience and has helped me determine what I want to do when I graduate - as well as being something I can put my resume in order to compete with all of the other graduates out there. To those considering it, I say why not? What's holding you back from such an amazing opportunity- especially with government funding and university support and all that you get out of it? A little nervousness never hurt anybody. |
| Walter BinderBachelor of Business / Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management Global internship with Wicresoft, Shanghai 2018 The decision to undertake an internship overseas is one I will never regret. The extra challenge of not only working but living in a different country provided an excellent opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Through participating in the Global Internship program, I have gained a greater understanding of Chinese culture and learnt how to communicate with those from a different cultural background, which I believe is invaluable in today’s world. Furthermore, I discovered more about myself as I sought to integrate into a vastly diverse working culture compared to what I was used to. Overall, the greatest takeaway from the internship is that it has provided clarification on the direction in which I would like to take for my career. Before undertaking the internship, I still had doubts whether the career path I had headed towards over the past few years of study was one I wished to embark upon and this experience has provided clarification for my future aspirations. |
Hong Kong
| Mira GietzelBachelor of Business / Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication Global internship with Ruder Finn Asia, Hong Kong 2019 I am so grateful to have had the opportunity of interning at the PR firm of my dreams at Ruder Finn, where I worked five days a week from my desk with a view overlooking Victoria Harbour. I was given so much responsibility and creative freedom in my role, and came away with such increased confidence as a professional communicator and a wealth of personal growth. On top of our working experience, we were invited to networking events, including cocktail parties, boat cruises, skill development classes and inspiring leadership talks; there was always something happening. No matter what field of business-related studies you’re in, an overseas internship is the best opportunity to add to your resume and overall life experience! There’s nothing stopping you from living out your wildest career dreams in Hong Kong. Griffith Asia Institute and Griffith Global Mobility provide above and beyond support and with the help of a New Colombo Plan mobility grant you don’t need to worry so much about the cost. |
Courtney Russell | Hong Kong 2019
| Courtney RussellBachelor of Business Global internship with Royale International, Hong Kong 2019 My internship within Royale International has been an invaluable experience. This trip was the most amazing and diverse experience of my life and has provided me with so much knowledge, insight, and opportunity. The amount I have learned not only about my industry and Hong Kong, but also about myself and how I handle tough situations astonishes me. |
Thomas Burbury | Hong Kong 2018
| Thomas BurburyBachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Government and International Relations Global internship with Madison Pacific Trust, Hong Kong 2018 This program allowed me to live and work in the corporate sector of Hong Kong for seven weeks. Instead of studying in the classroom over the summer, I was gaining practical experience working and networking with professionals in my field. When I wasn’t working, I was free to explore a new country and its culture with my fellow interns, all of whom have become good friends of mine through the experience. I saw some breathtaking sights, had many unforgettable experiences, ate both delicious and questionable food and came back after the seven weeks tired but excited for the future. Taking part in a Global Mobility internship was, for me, an opportunity I almost let pass me by. However, by choosing to embrace this new experience, I now feel more prepared to graduate, having practical workplace experience in the Asian region. If someone was to ask me why they should consider a Global Mobility Program, my advice would be to think about the opportunities. Working and living in this dynamic region of the world will be very important for the future of both our generation and Australia, and Global Mobility gives you the opportunity to experience it firsthand. |
Hannah Fraser | Hong Kong 2018
| Hannah FraserBachelor of Public Relations and Communication Global internship with AustCham, Hong Kong 2018 Participating in this program enabled me to gain real-world industry insight and experience. Through my internship, I was able to meet and forge connections with a variety of industry professionals. I was able to put the skills I had learnt throughout my studies into practice whilst gaining a plethora of new skills, bolstering my professional development.
The ability to live and work overseas, whilst at University, enabled me to grow both personally and professionally. As a result, of this program I know I will be able to graduate with enhanced skills, confidence and employability.
Choosing to participate in this program was by far the best decision I’ve made at University. Participating in the Global Mobility Business Internship Program is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that I would recommend to all students. |
Remote
Fiji
 | Campbell JonesBachelor of Business / Bachelor of Commerce Remote Global Internship with Reserve Bank of Fiji Being able to bounce off things that I have always wondered about in economics and learned about in textbooks but never actually seen them used in real life and asking someone in the field about its applicability was great. I'm quite surprised that the financial literacy part I was writing will actually be in the financial literacy plan for the next four years. This is a great contribution and was definitely a highlight of my internship. I would highly recommend from my experience, bring your personality into every experience. Have faith in your knowledge but be open to other’s experience and knowledge. Be open with your supervisors and use your nerves to help grow in these new experiences. |
Hong Kong
| Dahlia BarBachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations Remote Internship with AustCham Hong Kong, 2020 I have been essentially immersed into the organisation and the Hong Kong business environment. I attended committee meetings across a range of business sectors, helping me to gain a deep understanding of the business culture, issues, interests and environment across different sectors, from small to large organisations. I found the language training and diverse speakers a really unique and powerful addition to the program which I received a lot of benefit from. The remote Griffith Asia Business Internship has been a really amazing experience to get a foot in the door. It is a good eye-opener for me as I have been put in so many different areas and had so many experiences with AustCham, it has been very valuable. |
Reid PlehanBachelor of International Business Remote Global Internship with Trade and Investment Queensland, Hong Kong I had a great experience with TIQ, the internship challenged me to trust in my learnt knowledge and helped me to develop my problem-solving skills through a practical output. I have nothing but good things to say about the program and the help that GAI offered along the way. |
Republic of Korea
 | Claire DohertyBachelor of Asian Studies / Bachelor of Government and International Relations Remote Global Internship with JOST&Co, Seoul My primary objective in applying for the GABI Program was to gain a comprehensive insight into the consultancy industry whilst learning about the private sector. Additionally, I was interested in understanding the relationship between corporate culture and employee turnover, success and motivation. I am learning about Korean business practices and this is definitely in my favour as I aim to work in South Korea. Having a clearer understanding of the operations of an Australian consultancy firm based in-country is highly advantageous. As an Intern with JOST&Co, I not only complete a variety of tasks, but also attend weekly meetings, including with the Directors, Finance and Operations. As a result, I have learned a lot about the various tools and platforms the organisation utilises, as well as gaining insight into research and development and a more in-depth understanding of financial considerations. Overall, immersing myself in these meetings is providing me with the opportunity to maximise business exposure and regularly interact with colleagues, including the Co-CEOs and Directors. Having the opportunity to participate in various board meetings with industry professionals is a truly unique experience that can’t be gained elsewhere. My biggest tip for students is to seize amazing opportunities even during a pandemic. Due to COVID-19, my Remote Global Internship is still beneficial to paving my career pathway. The experience has not only increased my confidence in career choice but also my knowledge and understanding of a new industry. |
 | Joshua KimMaster of Business Administration Remote Global Internship with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) based in Seoul “I enjoyed the opportunity to utilise the knowledge that I have gained from my MBA study and previous workplaces, to assist a Queensland exporter with a business expansion opportunity. My Internship with TIQ Korea also helped me build contextual knowledge on bilateral business relationships between Australia and Korea by allowing me to access various online events. I was initially concerned that I would not have the same work experience as a face-to-face internship, but it was a good opportunity to work in the actual work environment, as this is the new normal. I was not the only one working at home, as almost everyone in my Host Organisation was recommended to work from home, so it was the same experience as my co-workers – the same environment during COVID, but also possible beyond it. I was also able to gain a lot of insights into the trade and investment sector as I joined various webinars by Austrade, Australia Korea Business Council (AKBC), Asialink and others learning about the Australia-Korean relationship and especially the potential opportunities in regard to hydrogen. Overall, the Remote Global Internship was a much better experience than I originally thought." |
Malaysia
Thomas Buchan | Kuala Lumpur 2020
| Thomas BuchanBachelor of International Business and Bachelor of Government and International Relations Remote internship with Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office in Malaysia |
Madalene Stewart | Kuala Lumpur 2020
| Madalene StewartBachelor of Government and International Relations Remote internship with Glenreagh in Malaysia |
Student videos
Codi Tiedeman
Britney Bacchin
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) | Bachelor of Business
Remote internship with Apex in Japan
Joanna Saunders
Bachelor of Commerce
Remote internship with Trade and Investment Queensland in Indonesia
Joshua Kim
Master of Business Administration
Remote internship with Trade and Investment Queensland in South Korea
Madelene Stewart
Bachelor of Economics
Remote internship with Glenreagh in Malaysia 2020
Thomas Buchan
Bachelor of International Business and Bachelor of Government and International Relations
Remote internship with Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office in Malaysia 2020
Camille Aeriel Sonido
Alice Kumar
Master of Business
Global internship with Bright Food Asia, Hong Kong 2019
Hoang (Trang) Ho
Bachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations
Global internship with Steelcase Japan, Tokyo 2018
Natalie Jones
Jack Shepherd
Hannah Fraser
Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications
Global internship with AustCham, Hong Kong, 2018
Thomas Burbury
Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Government and International Relations
Global internship with Madison Pacific Trust, Hong Kong, 2018
Anna Regi
Bachelor of Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Commerce
Global internship with Lynk Global, Hong Kong, 2018
Laura Kyle
Bachelor of International Business / Bachelor of Government and International Relations / Diploma of Languages – Chinese
Global internship with Infostellar, Tokyo 2018
Warren Maynard
Bachelor of Commerce | Diploma of Languages – Chinese
Global internship with HuaXia Finance, Shanghai 2018
AustCham Hong Kong
GAI in-country partner
2019 cohort
Chelsea Phillips