My first week in Berlin was amazing but also exhausting. When we arrived, we were greeted by our Intrax Program Director, Britta Kallmann. Even though we just landed, Britta made sure to keep us awake by taking us grocery shopping and showing us our neighborhood (fighting off the jet lag was terrible ha-ha). Intrax was so kind and hosted a welcome dinner for the University of Pittsburgh group at a beautiful beer garden next to a river; it was truly a warm welcome! Once we had all gotten some much needed rest, the entire week was dedicated to seeing the sights of Berlin. We started each day with a 2-hour language class that taught us important phrases we needed to know while in Berlin. Our first visit in Berlin was focused on learning about its parliamentary history and its political structure. We visited a parliamentary museum where we learned about the German government and how it differs from our own United States Government. What I found interesting was that German citizens did not vote for their president; the choice was made by the federal assembly instead. The president of Germany is more of a ceremonial role, while the chancellor holds a position similar to the U.S. president with more executive power. After the museum, we had the opportunity to visit the parliament building of Berlin, Reichstag. The building was topped with a glass dome symbolizing governmental transparency that allows German citizens to figuratively and literally look down upon their elected representatives. The next day we visited a place called RAW-Gelände. RAW Is a well-known cultural and creative space in Berlin located in the Friedrichshain district. The name RAW comes from the original name Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk; an old railway repair station used under the German Empire and the German Reich. Today RAW has been repurposed for art, music, nightlife, sports, and community events. When we visited RAW there were so many restaurants and spots to hang out with your friends. Our group plans to go back for the weekly farmer’s market! On our last day before our internships started, we visited Hertie University, a master’s school of law. I do not study political science, nor am I on the pre-law track, however, this visit was very interesting. We learned about the different programs the University had and how much their program cost in comparison to the US (PS: it’s very cost efficient). Even though I don’t intend to pursue law, this visit made me realize I am very interested in doing a Master of Business Administration in Europe. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the exploration of different cultures, and pursuing a master’s degree in Europe would allow me to explore that future especially as it will grant me the opportunity to further study business on a global scale. This week has been truly amazing. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to see Berlin and experience everything it has to offer. I also wanted to give a HUGE thank you Britta Kallmann, she was with us this entire week showing us around Berlin. We were all so tired every day, but she was always so excited and energetic. She is truly amazing! I am working in the venture capital industry in Berlin with Vireo Ventures, specifically in the energy and tech sectors. There are many types of venture capital firms, but Vireo Ventures specifically focuses on investing in companies that create solutions to the world’s many sustainability issues. During this internship I will take part in evaluating these potential investments and watch the process unfold as Vireo Ventures moves forward with investments. In a small firm like Vireo Ventures, communication and collaboration are some of the most essential skills one must possess in order to be successful. When participating in meetings with potential companies, it is important for Vireo Ventures to communicate their goals, and it is also important for our potential investments to effectively communicate their goals when using Vireo Venture’s capital. Time management and the ability to prioritize tasks are also skills that are required in a field like Vireo Ventures. After starting my internship today, I realized that time management and prioritizing tasks was going to be very important while in this program. Today, alone, I was given 3 different assignments to complete. I needed to assess their urgency and importance before diving in. In Germany, the government places a strong emphasis on energy and sustainability, so it is important to have a good understanding of the governmental regulations and climate goals of Germany and the EU in order to stay informed and on top of things in the workplace. I had a really amazing first day at work, and I cannot wait to continue this experience and learn as much as I can!