Roos during her internship in Berlin

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

Hi! I’m originally from Groningen and started studying Hotel and Event Management in Hengelo. I’ve always been a big fan of traveling, and when I found out we had to spend 20 weeks abroad for graduation, I grabbed the opportunity and went to beautiful Berlin!

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Berlin?

I drove to Berlin by car, which takes about six hours from Groningen... Unfortunately, traffic wasn’t on my side and it took me ten hours to get there. By then it was already evening and I didn’t see much. But later on, friends I met (because they were parked in front of me) gave me a fast-paced tour of Berlin. The stunning, impressive monuments and the beautiful nature truly left me speechless!

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Germany?

Germany and the Netherlands aren’t all that different, but Berlin really is a city of its own. The first thing I noticed was the difference in people. Berlin is, of course, known for its eccentric character, but I didn’t expect to experience it so directly… People here express themselves much more through their clothing. Also, the way people interact is very different. They’re very open, friendly, and respectful of everyone’s individuality. Everyone – and I mean everyone – is accepted.

What does your typical workday look like?

My days follow the usual 9:00 to 17:30 schedule. For a city like Berlin, that’s ideal, since I can do something fun every evening. I hope that by the time I leave, I’ll have seen most of the city — including the hidden gems it has in abundance...

What’s the work atmosphere like at your internship company?

Normally, Germany is known for being very punctual — something that was drilled into me during my German classes. But Berlin is a bit different, or maybe I just got lucky with my company. The work atmosphere is great. We use informal language (“duzen”), it’s a fun environment, but always under the motto: work hard.

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?

I’ve dealt with homesickness my whole life. But by confronting it over and over again, I’ve learned how to manage it. Now that I’ve reached that point, I can honestly say I don’t really feel homesick anymore. Of course, I miss my parents from time to time — but who wouldn’t, right? ;)

Do you feel at home in Berlin? Why (or why not)?

I feel completely at home here! I’ve met a great group of people and experience something new every week, which keeps things exciting. For example, this week I biked from East Berlin to Treptower Park. I live in the center of Berlin and work in the west, so I hadn’t really explored the East yet. That bike ride opened my eyes. Life there is still noticeably harder than in other parts of the city — it’s wild. I won’t say too much about Treptower Park though — just know it’s a must-visit if you ever come to Berlin!

Give us tips: who should you make friends with abroad? The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

In Berlin, there’s a friend to be found for everyone. The variety of people here is incredible. We all know the stereotype of the typical German — and sure, I’ve met some of them — but I’ve also come across a lot of “hippies.” Those dreamy, free-spirited people with their unique music are part of Berlin too — something you really have to experience while you’re here.

Describe Berliners in three words.

Open, unique, and embracing — in the broadest sense of the word.

What have you learned from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you enjoyed? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? We want details!

Living somewhere else for a while is a great way to grow personally — I truly believe that. I never expected it to turn out as well as it has here in Berlin! You learn how to communicate on many different levels and gain confidence in your own abilities. Plus, Berlin offers so much more than it’s known for, so take all the tips from locals with open arms. Life here is also relatively cheap — you can get half a liter of beer for just €1.50. That alone is a solid reason to come to Berlin!