I can confidently say that this past week was the fastest of my life! My initial nerves surrounding Berlin and entering a new culture have eased and been replaced with excitement for my first day at HEYL Chem.-pharm. Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG. Thanks to Britta, our contact at Intrax who played a key role in connecting us with our internships, I have had a smooth introduction to all things Berlin. Riding the U-Bahn, using Euros, and paying for water at restaurants feels normal after only one week. Well maybe not the last thing, but I’m not quite sure I’ll ever get used to that. I think the easiest way to feel comfortable in a new place is to jump right in and allow yourself to be immersed into the culture. I have done my best to use that logic when making this transition to life in Berlin by trying authentic foods, talking to locals, and exploring neighborhoods.
Expectedly, this week was jam packed. Immediately upon arrival, I was given a walking tour of the area surrounding our hotel and walked through a small part of Tiergarten park, a huge green space that connects the Berlin Zoo all the way to Brandenburg Gate. After the first night I was able to adjust to the time difference, and had an educational, but fun orientation week. A couple of highlights include seeing the beautiful buildings on Museum Island, hanging out at Tempelhofer Feld, and getting lunch at the Turkish Market in Maybachufer. We had some great meals, visited both touristy areas and hidden gems, and had three lessons to try and improve our German. Key word being try!
Eight of us took advantage of the long weekend to visit Poznań, Poland. We were eager to travel beyond Berlin and experience another city, and fortunately Poznań was only a four hour bus ride. On Saturday we visited Old Market Square and saw castles, cathedrals, and museums all with stunning architecture. Naturally, since we were in Poland, I enjoyed some of the best pierogies I have ever had, putting Mrs. T’s to shame (sorry, Pittsburgh). It was satisfying to have successfully planned a trip in less than a day and to share the experience with my fellow IIP participants.
We had some unique experiences this week with professionals in politics and economics. We met with Kai Whittaker, a member of the German Bundestag (CDU), and Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Germany-USA. He discussed the current relationship between Germany and the United States, highlighting how it has changed throughout different U.S. presidencies. I was fascinated by his comments and learned a lot about how German political figures emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the American government and American public. We also had the chance to visit the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as the Deutsche Bundesbank. Cultural differences can be easy to notice, so discussing how Germans handle political organizational structure compared to the United States was particularly insightful.
These three meetings allowed me to infer what might be valued in a German work environment. It is essential in every industry to be professional, a hard worker, and knowledgeable in your field. During my internship, my primary goal is to be an asset to each department I work with by providing my own meaningful ideas to projects. Achieving that requires strong communication, adaptability, and independent problem-solving skills. As I gain experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I hope to further identify what specific qualities are most important for success. I assume that attention to detail, critical thinking, and having a technical literacy of the pharmaceutical industry are highly valued. Additionally, the cultural differences in the German workplace will naturally develop my ability to receive and respond to criticism in a positive way. Viewing all forms of feedback as an opportunity for growth will benefit me in the United States.
I am looking forward to my first day of being an intern tomorrow! My intention for the next seven weeks is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I am eager for both the challenges and the rewarding moments ahead, as every experience will help me grow both personally and professionally.