I took a quick trip to Vienna over the weekend with the others from the Berlin Internship cohort for a little break to clear our minds. We were able to take advantage of Pfingstmontag, or Whit Monday, a Christian holiday, which gave us the Monday off from work. It was the perfect opportunity to travel to Vienna, where we spent the long weekend exploring the city’s beautiful churches and historic sites.
I took the train from Berlin to Vienna, which in itself was such an amazing experience. As we traveled south through Germany, the views outside the window were absolutely breathtaking — endless stretches of perfectly cut green fields, peaceful farms, rolling hills, clusters of trees, and distant mountains. Everything looked so calm and meticulously maintained, almost like a painting. Watching that landscape go by made me want to live out there someday, surrounded by nature and freedom.
And then there’s Vienna itself — such an unbelievably beautiful city. The architecture is absolutely insane in the best way — block after block of stunning buildings, each one so intricately designed and well-preserved. The entire city is spotless, with clean streets and perfectly maintained facades. Nearly every building is adorned with statues, sculptures, and carvings — sometimes even on the rooftops — and it’s easy to fall into a trance just staring at all the details. You want to slow down and fully take in the beauty of one building, but then another catches your eye, and another, and it feels endless. You could never get tired of walking those streets. As for the interiors — the cafes, museums, shops, etc — are even more beautiful, each with its own extraordinary, unique beauty – each space rich with its own atmosphere and sense of history. It felt like stepping into a different world everywhere we went.
During our time in Vienna, we had the chance to immerse ourselves in the local culture — observing both the subtle differences and surprising similarities to life back in Berlin. We explored historical sites and learned so much about Austria’s layered history, from imperial times to the modern era. One of the best parts was sampling authentic Austrian cuisine — hearty dishes like schnitzel and strudel that really gave us a taste of the region’s traditions. It wasn’t just a sightseeing trip; it felt like an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the beauty of the city, and connect with its culture on a deeper level.
Coming back from Vienna, I felt recharged and more motivated in my internship. The time away helped me gain fresh perspective and reminded me of the importance of curiosity and adaptability — the same mindset I’m now bringing back to my projects. Just as exploring Vienna required openness and attention to detail to fully appreciate its rich layers of history and design, I’m finding that those same qualities are helping me approach my work tasks with greater patience and curiosity.
In my internship so far, time expectations and deadlines are very clear and well-defined, so there is little ambiguity in that area. However, I do experience uncertainty at times around certain project tasks — especially when using older or unrevised PowerPoint materials as reference documents or instructions guideline for setting up a project. While direct instructions from coworkers (especially via email) are typically very detailed and easy to follow, some of the PowerPoints I’ve been asked to use are quite ambiguous. They often contain only bullet points with little context or explanation, and sometimes just a screenshot of an example without clear instructions or guidelines on how to apply it.
To navigate this, I’ve been proactively asking clarifying questions when I encounter unclear slides. I also compare the PowerPoint content to more recent project documents or outputs when possible to better understand what is currently expected. Additionally, I’ve been keeping notes of any clarifications I receive so I can build a clearer reference for myself and avoid repeating the same questions in the future.
Overall, this past week has reinforced the importance of adaptability and proactive learning — qualities that are just as valuable in the workplace as they are while exploring a new city. Returning to Berlin after such an inspiring trip, I find myself looking at my work — and even the city — with a fresh perspective. Just as Vienna encouraged me to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the details, I’m now trying to bring that same attention and curiosity to my projects here. Though challenges and uncertainties will no doubt continue to arise, I’m learning to view them not as obstacles, but as part of the process. And with each new experience — whether in the office or on the streets of Berlin — I’m continuing to grow and build on these skills, applying them to each new challenge and opportunity that arises.
