My internship abroad in SwitzerlandBetween the Alps and Lake Zurich

A few years have passed since my first visit to Switzerland. So I was all the more pleased to have the opportunity to visit our office in Volketswil and gain an insight into everyday working life there. With a population of around 18,500, the municipality of Volketswil is located to the west of Zurich, only around 15 kilometres away.  

On Saturday, 3 February 2024, I set off from Germany by car and made my way to my accommodation in Switzerland. The very next day, I experienced the hospitality of my landlords, who lived in the same house and invited me to their home. I received valuable advice on what I could do in Zurich and the surrounding area. The Uetliberg, close to my accommodation, offered me a breathtaking view over the entire city and Lake Zurich after a train journey and a walk to the viewing platform. 

Full of anticipation to meet new colleagues, I travelled to the office on my first day at work. A warm welcome and a round of introductions started my day, followed by attending a meeting with the account managers. The manufacturer days that took place that week gave me additional insights into the product innovations of various manufacturers that are of great interest to Rutronik.

On the second weekend, I was visited by a good friend with whom I used the time to explore the city centre of Zurich. The contrast between the modern office districts, nature and the historic old town was impressive and invited me to linger. 

During these weeks, I also had the opportunity to accompany the account managers on several customer visits. The insights into the activities of a sales representative were formative for my future career. The variety of customer projects and the importance of interpersonal relationships make this job particularly interesting.

The following weekend, I went skiing in the mountains. Of the 277 ski resorts in Switzerland, I chose Grindelwald, where the majestic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau were impressive even in changeable weather. Despite the limited visibility, I didn't miss out on the fun on the slopes.

To summarise, I am grateful for the many friendly colleagues I was able to meet and support, as well as for the exciting insights into the activities of the Volketswil office. Both the positive impressions of Switzerland as a country and the friendliness of the people made a deep impression on me. I would recommend every trainee or student to take the opportunity to do an internship abroad, as it is a valuable experience that I will remember positively for the rest of my life.