French Students Sharing Their Enriching Internship Experience in Slovakia

Four ambitious French interns—Simon Verdavaine, Florian Casagrande, Sven Tual, and Thomas Deshayes—recently completed their professional and cultural journey in Slovakia as part of the Erasmus+ internship

Meet the Interns 

• Simon Verdavaine did the traineeship as a Logistic Trainee (Loss & Damage Administrator) 
• Florian Casagrande served as a Customer Advisor
• Sven Tual contributed as a Software Support Trainee 
• Thomas Deshayes held the position of Incentives & Commission Intern

Simon, Florian, Sven, and Thomas unanimously valued their time working in Slovakia, highlighting how their roles expanded their professional and technical horizons. Simon explained, "Managing and processing insurance claims while consolidating documents was a new field for me in logistics. I also improved my data analysis and reporting skills." Sven, who worked on software support, shared, "I gained technical expertise with Lanschool software, which deepened my understanding of problem-solving in the tech domain."

Florian, whose responsibilities included processing orders and coordinating with warehouses, expressed his gratitude for the supportive work environment: "The positive vibes from my department made my experience truly enjoyable." Similarly, Thomas noted, "My internship enhanced my skills in SQL coding and finance while providing an excellent platform to improve my English."

The interns embraced Slovakia's rich culture and natural beauty. Florian was particularly taken by the High Tatras, stating, "Your mountains are breathtaking, and I enjoyed every moment exploring them." Simon, who found Slovakia to be a safe and green country, added, "The cost of living here is reasonable, and the people are generally kind and friendly." Sven praised the cleanliness and security of Bratislava, calling it "a city that feels very safe and welcoming."

Adjusting to life in Slovakia came with its challenges. For Simon, speaking fluent English in a professional setting was initially daunting, while Sven struggled with the time difference between his team in Buenos Aires and his location. Florian humorously mentioned the difficulty of understanding some Scottish accents during customer calls. Despite these hurdles, all interns acknowledged the experience as a significant stepping stone in their personal and professional growth.

When asked for advice, the interns encouraged newcomers to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Simon recommended, "Create connections with other interns and explore nearby cities and countries—travelling is incredibly affordable." Thomas advised, "Don’t be shy and take every opportunity to meet new people." Sven added, "Make the most of Slovakia's central location to visit surrounding countries."

As their internships came to an end, each intern left Slovakia with new skills, lifelong memories, and clear plans for the future. While Simon and Florian aim to continue working in international companies, Sven will return to ISEN to complete his studies. Thomas, too, is set to embark on a work-study program with Saint-Gobain in France, ready to apply the lessons learned during his time in Slovakia.

In the words of Simon Verdavaine, "Erasmus+ internships offer a perfect blend of professional development and cultural exchange. Slovakia, with its welcoming people and beautiful landscapes, made this journey unforgettable."