Shared perspectives: Dutch and German students' internship experiences in Slovakia

Anna Luja from THI Business School in Germany and Damiën Delmeire from MBO Rijnland in the Netherlands recently completed their Erasmus+ internships as Customer Service trainees in Slovakia. Despite coming from different backgrounds, both shared a common position and similar experiences that shaped their professional and personal growth.

Professional Growth and Challenges

During their internships, Anna and Damien worked with order-processing systems such as SAP, handled customer calls, and navigated the complexities of customer service. “I definitely learned more hands-on knowledge about SAP and Salesforce,” Anna shared. Similarly, Damien reflected, “I gained deeper knowledge of order processing systems and improved my communication skills, especially in managing customer concerns.”

Both highlighted the flexibility of their roles as a positive aspect of their work. “I really valued the flexibility and my nice colleagues,” Anna said, while Damien noted, “The flexibility made balancing tasks easier.”

However, customer service came with its challenges. For Anna, managing customer pressure due to supply chain issues was particularly tough. “Sometimes there was nothing we could do, but customers still expected solutions, which added pressure on our team,” she explained. Damien also found handling customer complaints demanding. “It was tough because we had to take full responsibility for resolving complaints, but it taught me accountability and problem-solving,” he shared.

Support and Mentorship

Anna and Damien had mixed experiences with the support they received. Anna described her experience as “good” but noted some organizational challenges during the summer and fiscal year-end. Damien, on the other hand, appreciated the consistent assistance from his mentor and colleagues. “I always felt like I could count on someone, and my colleagues were there to help whenever I struggled,” he said.

Cultural Insights and Lifestyle

Both interns enjoyed discovering Slovakia’s culture. “The Slovaks are very proud of their culture, which you don’t see as much in Germany,” Anna observed. Damien found the Slovak people’s demeanor striking. “Slovakia is much quieter than the Netherlands, and people here are more generous and respectful,” he remarked.

Anna and Damien explored Slovakia extensively during their free time. Anna enjoyed hiking and exploring the scenic surroundings, while Damien recommended venturing beyond Bratislava to uncover the country’s hidden gems. “Hiking and exploring the beautiful scenery were definitely highlights,” Anna said. Damien added, “I recommend new trainees explore Slovakia beyond Bratislava—it’s a country full of hidden gems.”

Reflecting on their experiences, both interns emphasized the value of cultural and professional growth. “The flexibility of my work and the places I visited were definitely the most pleasant parts of my Erasmus+ experience,” Anna said. Damien shared, “This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue exploring opportunities here.”

For future trainees, Anna advised, “Get to know other interns better and earlier. I should have done that more myself.” Damien encouraged embracing the journey fully: “Explore the country, embrace the culture, and make the most of this opportunity.”

As they move forward, Anna plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in Germany, while Damien is eager to return to Slovakia for another internship.