As I finish up my third week in Berlin, with a successful solo travel weekend now under my belt, it is becoming even more surreal that I have the opportunity to spend my summer living and working abroad. Each week seems to go by faster than the last as I continue balancing my internship responsibilities with exploring everything the city has to offer. This past week included visits to a street food market, trying my first döner and Berliner, exploring new neighborhoods, and continuing to settle into my daily routine. I also spent time visiting different parts of the city that I had not yet seen, taking advantage of Berlin’s extensive public transportation system and getting a better sense of the city’s layout. One of my favorite experiences this week was simply walking around and observing daily life in Berlin, from busy parks and cafes to local markets and community spaces. As I become more comfortable navigating the city on my own, I find myself feeling a little less like a tourist. While I still discover something new every day, Berlin is beginning to feel more familiar, and I am slowly getting a better understanding of what life here is like. The combination of professional experience and cultural exploration continues to make this opportunity both exciting and rewarding.
This week’s reflection focuses on problem solving with incomplete information and how I navigate uncertainty within my internship. Interestingly, I have not experienced a significant amount of uncertainty in my role so far. My supervisor has done an excellent job of providing clear expectations and organized guidance from the beginning. Most of my assignments are managed through our company’s Notion workspace, where tasks are assigned, explained, and updated throughout the week. As I complete projects, new tasks are added, creating a steady workflow that keeps me productive without feeling overwhelmed.
One of the most helpful aspects of my internship experience has been the communication structure that my supervisor has established. Every Monday we have a meeting where we review the previous week’s work, discuss upcoming projects, and address any questions or concerns that either of us may have. These meetings create an opportunity for feedback and clarification, which helps prevent confusion before it becomes a problem.
What makes this especially valuable is that my supervisor himself started at the company as an intern. Because of that experience, he understands what it feels like to be new to an organization and unfamiliar with the expectations. He has made it clear that he wants honest feedback and open communication, and he encourages me to ask questions whenever I need additional context. Throughout my time here, I have noticed that this direct and transparent communication style reflects what many people describe as German workplace culture. Conversations tend to be straightforward, expectations are communicated clearly, and feedback is given honestly. While this approach can initially seem intimidating to someone coming from a different culture, I have found it extremely helpful because it reduces ambiguity and allows everyone to focus on improving their work.
Although I have not faced major uncertainty, there have still been moments where I have had to work with incomplete information. Since I have only been with the company for a few weeks, there are naturally situations where I do not fully understand the broader context behind a project. My supervisor and other team members have been working within the Berlin Web3 ecosystem for much longer than I have, so they possess a level of institutional knowledge that I am still developing. Occasionally, I will receive a task and understand the immediate objective, but not necessarily how it fits into the larger goals of the organization.
When this happens, I make a list of questions and bring them to my supervisor rather than simply saying that I do not understand. I have found that approaching uncertainty this way demonstrates initiative while also ensuring that I complete the task correctly.
I think this experience highlights an important lesson about internships and professional development in general. Uncertainty is not always the result of poor communication or unclear instructions. Sometimes it simply comes from being new. No matter how detailed directions may be, there are aspects of a workplace that can only be learned through experience. As interns, we are constantly building context and knowledge that full-time employees have accumulated over months or years.
Overall, I have been fortunate to work in an environment where communication is open and expectations are clear. While I occasionally encounter situations where I lack the full picture, I have learned to navigate those moments through research, asking thoughtful questions, and remaining open to feedback. As I continue my internship, I expect there will be more opportunities to solve problems with incomplete information, but I feel increasingly confident in my ability to adapt and learn from those experiences. Looking back on these first three weeks, I can already see growth not only in my professional skills but also in my confidence working within an international environment.
