Well, we did it! After 8 and half weeks in a new country, memories made for a lifetime, and a bumpy flight home, I made it home and completed my Business Development internship with Surflay Nanotec GmbH! Since I’ve been home, it’s been really nice to relax and reflect on what an amazing oppurtunity this was for me. I never thought studying abroad was an option for me, but now that I’ve done it, I couldn’t be happier that I didn’t miss this oppurtunity
When I wrote my first blog post before leaving for Germany, I talked about how excited I was to immerse myself in a completely different culture while gaining international work experience. I wanted to challenge myself by living in a new country and working in an environment that was unlike anything I had experienced before. Looking back now, I can say that those goals were definitely accomplished. Berlin quickly became more than just the city where I was working. It became a place where I grew personally, academically, and professionally every single day.
Professionally, I gained experience that I simply couldn’t have learned in a classroom. Working at Surflay introduced me to an industry that combines advanced science with business development. Before this internship, I understood that biotechnology companies created innovative products, but I never fully appreciated everything that goes into bringing those products to customers. Throughout my internship, I helped create LinkedIn content, designed marketing materials, conducted market research, and reached out to potential customers through cold emails. Every project showed me another side of how a small biotechnology company operates.
One of the biggest moments for me came during the final weeks of my internship when one of my cold emails resulted in a customer purchasing one of our products. It may seem like a small accomplishment, but for me, it represented much more. It was the first time I had successfully sold something in a professional setting, and it showed me that the communication, research, and persistence I had been developing throughout the internship were paying off. That experience gave me confidence in my ability to contribute to a company and confirmed that I enjoy working in client-facing business roles.
Academically, this internship connected many of the concepts I’ve learned at Pitt to real-world applications. Throughout my business courses, I’ve learned about marketing, sales, communication, and analytics, but seeing those concepts applied every day made them much more meaningful. Instead of completing assignments for a grade, I was creating materials that would actually be used by a company and communicating with potential customers around the world. It reminded me that learning doesn’t stop when class ends. Some of the most valuable lessons came from asking questions during meetings, observing how experienced professionals approached problems, and learning from my coworkers’ feedback.
Working in an international environment also changed my perspective on business. Even though everyone at Surflay spoke English, I quickly realized that working across cultures requires flexibility and strong communication. There were differences in workplace culture, expectations, and even how success was celebrated. One thing I noticed was how collaborative everyone was. Instead of competing against one another, everyone worked together toward the same goals. It created an environment where asking questions was encouraged, and learning from mistakes was part of the process. That’s something I really admired and something I hope to carry with me throughout my career.
Personally, I think this experience helped me grow the most. Living in another country forces you to become more independent. Simple things like navigating public transportation, ordering food, planning weekend trips, or adapting to a different routine become opportunities to build confidence. At first, those things seemed intimidating. By the end of the internship, they had become second nature. I became much more comfortable stepping into unfamiliar situations and trusting myself to figure things out.
Outside of work, I also had the opportunity to experience so much of Berlin and Europe. Whether I was exploring museums, visiting historical landmarks, traveling on weekends, or simply trying a new restaurant after work, I found myself constantly learning. Berlin is a city with an incredibly complex history, and seeing that history firsthand gave me a new appreciation for perspectives that are difficult to understand through textbooks alone. At the same time, spending time with the other Pitt students created friendships and memories that I’ll always associate with this experience.
As I return to Pittsburgh, there are several lessons I hope to bring back with me. First, I want to continue accepting opportunities that push me outside of my comfort zone. This internship reminded me that personal growth usually comes from situations that initially feel unfamiliar. Second, I want to continue developing the communication skills I built throughout the summer. Whether it’s presenting ideas, networking, or simply asking thoughtful questions, those skills will be valuable in every career I pursue. Finally, I want to bring back the collaborative mindset I experienced at Surflay. Seeing how much can be accomplished when everyone works toward a common goal reinforced the importance of teamwork and supporting the people around you.
Looking toward my future career, this internship gave me even more confidence in the direction I want to pursue. I’ve always been interested in combining my STEM background with business, and working at Surflay showed me exactly what that can look like. I enjoyed learning about advanced technologies while also helping communicate their value to potential customers. It strengthened my interest in business development, sales, and other client-facing roles where I can combine technical knowledge with relationship building.
As this chapter comes to an end, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this experience possible. Thank you to the University of Pittsburgh for providing this opportunity, to Surflay for welcoming me onto their team, and to everyone I met along the way who made Berlin feel like home. This internship gave me far more than professional experience. It gave me confidence, lifelong memories, and a new perspective on both business and the world around me.
Although I’m excited to return home, a part of me will always miss Berlin. I know the lessons I learned here will stay with me long after the internship is over, and I’m excited to bring those experiences back to Pitt and into whatever comes next.
