This week in Berlin was full of incredible moments. I went in for my first day of work, enjoyed some great meals, visited new neighborhoods, and spent some time with my fellow IIP participants. It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t nervous walking into the office for the first time. I may or may not have been thinking of everything that could make the day go horribly wrong. My thoughts changed immediately upon stepping into the office where I was greeted by my supervisor and other supportive coworkers. The energy in the office is so positive which makes it easy to ask questions and get as much from this experience as possible. Working in a new environment, culture, and country comes with challenges, but I am lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive team that encourages me to be curious and continue learning about the work I am doing.

Working in the pharmaceutical industry is something new for me, and this week was full new learning opportunities. The first thing I had to learn was the German keyboard, which is quite different from the one I am used to. I had an informative conversation with a coworker who specializes in chemistry where I was educated on all of HEYL’s products. Everyday of the first week brought new information and new perspectives. Chatting with the other people at HEYL is such a valuable part of this experience. Just hearing what they have to say about their professional and personal experiences in Berlin has taught me so much. In my opinion, the most valuable part of my internship has been both gaining hands-on experience in business and talking to my coworkers about their unique background and path to HEYL.

My projects for the first week were very marketing focused. My experience in marketing is limited to designing social media posts for clubs at Pitt, so getting to work directly with a marketing professional was really valuable. I worked on a few different projects, so making sure I used my time wisely was essential. I found that organizing how much time I wanted to dedicate to each project before starting my day was really helpful. Especially in marketing, tasks can become very tedious very quickly. Once I lose my creativity or momentum for a project there is no point in trying to continue and become unproductive. By staying flexible and switching between projects when needed, I am ultimately able to create a better end result.

Another aspect of time management I have been experiencing is balancing work with exploring the city. Berlin has so many different neighborhoods that each feels like its own city. With so much to explore, I have been finishing my workday and setting out for a new activity each night. By doing this, I am able to prioritize my work while still making the most out of my time in Berlin.

This week was not all work though! I was able to visit some interesting spots such as Holzmarkt 25, Viktoriapark, the East Side Gallery, and Topography of Terror, a very educational museum detailing the history of the SS. I had my first döner kebab this week, and it was exceptional. The hype surrounding this staple is incredibly valid. I can’t say the same thing about another Berlin favorite, currywurst. I see the vision, but to me it döner is #1! We explored the jazz scene in Berlin and heard some talented musicians. This week we also visited a local beach located on the Großer Wannsee. I am sure if you go on a day when it is not windy it is a great way to spend an afternoon. Despite our unfortunate weather I still had a fun time, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a sand beach rather than rock.

I am excited to begin week #2 at HEYL. This week I will be visiting Hannover where I will be representing HEYL at Interschutz 2026, a trade show focused on fire brigades, rescue services, and civil protection. This will be a brand new experience for me and another opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. After spending my first week learning about the company and working on marketing projects, I am excited to experience another side of business and continue building my professional skills.