Two Countries, One Experience: How An International Internship Changed Our Perspective

Stepping into a new country, a new workplace and a completely unfamiliar environment can be both exciting and challenging. This summer semester, two students took exactly that leap: Nyan, a student studying in Finland completing an internship at THWS in Würzburg (Germany) and Bilqis, a German student gaining international experience at TAMK in Tampere (Finland). Although they traveled in opposite directions, their experiences reveal how valuable an international internship can be, not only for professional development but also for personal growth.

From Curiosity to New Opportunities

For Nyan, the decision to apply came almost spontaneously after seeing the internship announcement in December. Having never been to Würzburg before, the opportunity combined two things that were important to him: gaining work experience abroad while immersing himself in a completely new culture. His main goal was simple yet ambitious, to see whether he could thrive in a new professional and social environment.
Bilqis had a different starting point. Initially, she had been searching for internships within Germany. It was only by chance that she discovered the international traineeship opportunity. Having recently completed her Bachelor's degree in International Management, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to broaden her horizons, gain international work experience and discover a country she knew little about beyond its reputation for beautiful nature.

Everyday Work in an International Office

Both students became part of the International Offices at their host universities, where every day brought new learning opportunities:

At THWS, Nyan, as the Media and Arts student he is, supports projects from a media and design perspective. His work ranges from developing design concepts and creating communication materials to visualizing data and project ideas. One aspect he particularly enjoys is the freedom to take initiative. Alongside his regular responsibilities, he has the opportunity to propose his own ideas and develop them together with his supervisor and colleagues. The internship has also introduced him to European university networks and international academic collaborations, areas he had not explored before.

Meanwhile at TAMK, Bilqis works on a wide variety of projects supporting the International Office. Besides assisting with project work and daily operations, she has welcomed and accompanied international visitors during their stay in Finland. Thanks to TAMK's extensive network, she has also had the chance to contribute to research and marketing projects in other departments. She particularly appreciates the collaborative atmosphere and the constant opportunity to learn from colleagues. As she puts it, "It never gets boring."

Discovering Germany and Finland Beyond the Office

Life outside work has been just as rewarding as the internships themselves.
Before arriving, Nyan expected Würzburg to be a small and quiet town. Instead, he discovered a lively city full of historic architecture and vibrant public spaces. Beyond Würzburg, he has made it his goal to explore as much of Germany as possible, travelling to cities across the country whenever he has the chance. When he's not travelling, he enjoys spending time with friends, whether at picnics, dorm parties, clubs, or simply running through nature. The friendships he built during his stay have become one of the most meaningful parts of his exchange experience.

Bilqis quickly fell in love with Tampere's unique combination of vibrant city life and beautiful nature. Whether enjoying a coffee in the city center, relaxing by one of the lakes, or exploring the surrounding forests, she appreciated how effortlessly urban life and nature blend together. She especially valued the city's welcoming atmosphere and the kindness and openness of the people she met. During her time in Finland, Bilqis explored different parts of the country with friends and made the most of Tampere's lively events. Along the way, she spent her free time discovering local bars, visiting the city's many second-hand shops and experiencing Finland's stunning nature. These moments made her exchange an unforgettable experience.

Learning to Adapt

Living abroad also means adapting to unfamiliar routines:

For Nyan, one of the biggest adjustments has been Germany's early shop closing times. As someone who enjoys being spontaneous, planning grocery shopping ahead of time has taken some getting used to. German bureaucracy also proved to be more time-consuming than expected. Socially, he noticed that meeting local German students can be more challenging than expected, as many international students naturally spend time together. He hopes to see even more opportunities where local and international students can connect.

For Bilqis, one of the biggest challenges was adapting to a new environment after arriving in the middle of the Finnish semester. While it may have seemed a bit scary in the beginning to meet new people, Finland’s vibrant student culture and the many events organized throughout the semester made it easy to do so. And although learning Finnish has been challenging, picking up a few words and phrases has been helpful. Since she worked in the International Office, where everyone spoke English, communication was never a problem.

Growing Beyond Expectations

Looking back, both students agree that their internships offered much more than professional experience.

Nyan discovered that he is far more outgoing than he had imagined. Living abroad pushed him outside his comfort zone and helped him grow through both exciting and difficult moments. His advice to future participants is simple: the first few days may feel overwhelming, but staying open-minded and willing to meet new people makes all the difference.

Bilqis leaves Finland with unforgettable memories, a deeper understanding of Finnish culture and new, valuable professional skills. During her internship, she also became more confident in adapting to new situations and connecting with people from different backgrounds. She expanded her professional network, built meaningful friendships and challenged herself to step outside her comfort zone.

For both of them, the greatest takeaway is clear: international internships are not just about the work, but about the people you meet, the confidence you build and the experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

Watch Their Journey

Want to see more impressions from their exchange experience? Keep an eye on the official THWS Internatation Instagram channel (@international.thws), where where more insights from their discussion will be shared. Follow their journey through Germany and Finland and get an authentic glimpse into everyday life during an international exchange internship.