Hallo! I have officially landed in Berlin and have had an absolute blast of a week so far. This week has mostly been about introducing ourselves to a new environment and getting adjusted to life abroad. I arrived on Tuesday, and one of the first things we learned about was the grocery system in Berlin. One thing I really like is that tax is already included in the price, so there is no need to calculate it at checkout. Another interesting feature is that each grocery item has a health label from A to E, with E being the least healthy. I find this helpful because it makes it easier to be more mindful of what I’m eating.
However, a quick travel notes for anyone studying abroad: do not bring a Discover card with you. It is not accepted at most places in Berlin, which I unfortunately learned the hard way. Luckily, I had another card I could use. Another big adjustment has been that many bars and restaurants here prefer cash and sometimes don’t even accept card payments. Coming from the United States, where cash is rarely used, this has been a noticeable difference.
Additionally, when coming to Germany, I was initially nervous about speaking German. While I do have a German minor, my speaking skills are a little shaky. Although they are not perfect, I have been able to pick up a few words here and there. I’ve been able to order in German and can read a lot of menus, which has been exciting. I’m looking forward to this experience helping me continue improving the language I’ve been studying for the past two years.
For the past few days, we have also been traveling around Berlin and learning about Germany’s politics and economy through different speakers. We met with Kai Whittaker, a member of parliament for the CDU (Christian Democratic Union), who spoke about current political issues in Germany and the relationship between Germany and the United States. His focus is on maintaining a strong US–Germany partnership, which he emphasized is important since the two countries are major allies. He also talked about internal political challenges and policy priorities, including social welfare initiatives aimed at supporting unemployed individuals.
We also met with representatives from the Department of International Relations and Energy, where we learned about how the German economy operates and the country’s approach to the energy transition. One major topic was Germany’s efforts to move away from nuclear energy and the challenges that come with that transition. Another speaker was from the Bundesbank, who discussed economic policy issues affecting both Germany and the United States. One point that stood out to me was the possibility of continued price increases toward the end of the year if global energy and oil issues continue due to ongoing international conflicts.
My favorite part of orientation week was the walking tour of East and West Berlin. Our tour guide was extremely engaging and made history interesting and easy to follow. He shared a lot of fun facts and clearly had a passion for the city’s history. We visited areas near the Berlin Wall and learned about the “death strip,” where many people lost their lives attempting to cross or successfully escaping to West Berlin. We also visited the Holocaust Memorial, which was very powerful and emotional to see in person. Even though we did not go through the entire memorial at that time, I plan to go back and explore it more fully. Overall, it was a meaningful way to begin understanding Berlin’s history and culture.
With all of this in mind, I am now shifting my focus to the main reason I am here: my internship. As mentioned in my previous post, I am working in the Human Resources department at the Catalyst Institute for Creative Arts and Technology, where I also support finance related tasks. The organization operates within the education, creative arts, and technology industry, offering programs in areas such as film production, music production, and acting. Working in this environment requires a combination of administrative, financial, and interpersonal skills because the institution supports students, faculty, and professionals from many different backgrounds.
Several key skills and strengths are necessary to succeed in this industry. Strong communication skills are essential because HR professionals interact daily with employees, students, and management teams. Organizational and time management skills are also important since HR and finance responsibilities involve handling payroll information, employee records, budgets, invoices, and scheduling tasks. In addition, attention to detail and accuracy are critical when working with financial documents and confidential employee information. Technical competencies like Microsoft Excel, HR systems, and financial software are also valuable for maintaining efficient operations. Problem solving, teamwork, and adaptability are especially important in a creative and fast changing environment.
Since my host country is Germany, there are additional competencies that are important for success. Germany places a strong emphasis on professionalism, punctuality, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. Understanding German labor laws and data privacy standards is also important when handling employee and financial information. Cross cultural communication skills are essential because Catalyst has an international and diverse community with staff and students from many nationalities.
Overall, this first week has already taught me a lot about both daily life in Berlin and the professional environment I am stepping into. I am very excited for my internship to officially begin and will continue updating this blog throughout my journey.
