- Name
- Sabrina
- Study Programme
- IMUK
- Semester
- graduated
- Institution
- Pernod Ricard Austria
- Location
- Vienna, Austria
- Period
- September 2022 to August 2023
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
While I was spending my semester abroad in Lisbon, Portugal, I was already thinking about where I see myself afterwards. I decided to take a gap year before starting my master's degree. A gap year means to do something different for one year after a certain period of life - in my case the bachelor's degree - and to gain new (professional) experience in the meantime. I also wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to receive Erasmus+ funding. I liked the time abroad so much that I didn't want to go back to Germany (for now) and I wanted to continue living abroad and at the same time continue to step out of my comfort zone. Other points were to get to know the country of Austria and another big city like Vienna, to meet new people, to continue improving my language skills, to make international friends as well as to gain experience in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) sector and in the company Pernod Ricard Austria itself.
Anyone who has the chance to do an internship abroad should definitely take it.
What were your biggest concerns?
My concerns were that it will be difficult to connect and make friends besides work connections.
Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?
Absolutely. I am convinced that every stay abroad creates many new experiences, insights and memories. Personal development is particularly important to me. In addition, a stay abroad always proves to be very valuable on your resume. Anyone who has the chance to do an internship abroad should definitely take it.
Fun Fact
Vienna was named the third most unfriendly city in the world, but also, in turn, one of the most liveable cities in the world.
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
I gained completely new and valuable insights of a worldwide acting company. The structures, values and processes were in some parts new to me. Professionally, I would say I learned a lot about time management and prioritization, but also how to work effectively in a team and achieve goals together. It was also very interesting to work in a company that operates internationally and also to expand my business English language skills.
Were your expectations met?
I would say yes. The fact that I didn't face language barriers here in the German-speaking country I probably had it a little easier to adapt compared to other foreigners. I think, or at least how I experienced it, there are also no big cultural differences and I was able to get used to the circumstances very quickly.
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
In addition to the professional experience in a global company in the FMCG sector, my personal development is also important to me. It is always worthwhile to gain new experiences, to challenge yourself and to step out of your comfort zone.
Impressions of Austria
