Spain, Canada or Singapore? Sounds like someone is planning their holiday, but it’s actually our trainees deciding on their internship abroad. The trainees have the option to gain practical experience abroad for one month at a WEICON branch. It’s a great opportunity for them to get to know a new culture, to gain a deeper understanding of the WEICON world and to develop personally. Nine trainees have already completed an internship abroad at our branches.
All about the trainees’ internship abroad
How can I do an internship abroad?
All trainees in a sales apprenticeship have the opportunity to apply for an internship abroad in their second year of training. The application is made by giving a short presentation to the management, in which the trainees present their reasons and desired locations. The management then discusses the details with the respective branch. So far, all trainees have been able to realise their first wish. “We are very proud to be able to offer an internship abroad. It’s a great benefit for our young colleagues and our branches”, explains Ann-Katrin Weidling.
Varied area of responsibility
During their four-week internship abroad, our trainees have the opportunity to support our branch comprehensively. From sales order processing to e-commerce, everything is covered. A particular highlight is the opportunity to accompany the field sales team and visit customers in person.
For example, our trainee Julian was able to take part in a product support session on the maintenance of a marine pump. Such experiences not only expand our trainees’ expertise, but also enable them to gain valuable insights into dealing with international customers.
Personal experiences from the internship abroad
Hola España! – Marius’ Spanish adventure in Madrid
Marius was at our Spanish branch in Madrid last year. The internship abroad was an absolute enrichment for him.
“What I appreciate most is the interculturality. The people in Spain are so open and warm”, reports Marius.
The challenges, such as the language barrier, are irrelevant. At the end of his trip, he had dinner with his colleagues. For Marius, it was the perfect end to his trip and didn’t really make it any easier to say goodbye.
Singapore is calling! Merle in the metropolis
Merle also describes her time in our Singapore branch as a unique experience. Her absolute highlight was the Asia Pacific Maritime trade fair, which she visited with two colleagues. Here, she presented WEICON products to the visitors and advised them on applications.
In addition to work, she had time to visit all the typical tourist hotspots. “I had planned in advance to see everything that was worth seeing – and that worked out well”, says Merle. These included Marina Bay, Sentosa Island, Chinatown and Orchard Road. And, of course, beautiful beaches.
Marie in Canada: Insights from Kitchener & the surrounding area
During my internship abroad, I collected a lot of useful experience in our Canadian branch. There, I mainly focussed on the area of e-commerce. My tasks included the optimisation of product listings, the development of new marketplaces and content management. I also supported order processing, which gave me detailed insights into international sales.
A special highlight for me was the day in the field, where I was able to develop my skills in dealing with international customers.
I used the time outside of work to explore Kitchener & Waterloo – two cities with amazing parks. An absolute highlight was a visit to the breathtaking Niagara Falls. And as if that wasn’t enough, I had an exciting weekend in the metropolis of Toronto.
A clear summary of the internship abroad
All three trainees have a positive summary. They report personal development – they have become more self-confident, more self-assured and more independent. Their English has also improved – not exactly unimportant in our international company. For all of them, the internship abroad was a unique experience from which they have learnt a lot.
“I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are very grateful to WEICON for giving us this opportunity. The summary is definitely positive for all of us”, says Marie.
If you would like to find out more about the trainees’ internship abroad, take a look at our trainee Instagram channel @weiconazubis!
Written by guest author Marie Rehme – E-Commerce trainee
