SARAH FAUST SHARES INSIGHTS ON INTERNSHIP IN LISBON
Sarah Faust completed an internship abroad in Portugal’s capital Lisbon during her International Management studies at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences (HSRM). She chose Lisbon because she got to know the city during a vacation and was immediately impressed by it. “I started looking for internships in Lisbon, because the city has so many beautiful corners, views over the city, a great nightlife and the summer is longer than in Germany,” Sarah thinks back. She finally managed to secure an internship at Emma – The Sleep Company in the Global Recruitment department. “I had to write several applications before I was accepted. My advice to others is to start early, write as many applications as possible and follow up if you don’t hear back,” says Sarah Faust. To Sarah, the internship was an opportunity to live in another country for a while and get to know a new culture and the mentality of the local people. Lisbon is also known for the many expats living there, which made it easy to meet new people in a similar life situation.
What is it like to work abroad?
“I really enjoyed working in Global Recruiting; my team was incredibly helpful, warm and welcoming. My team and the other employees trusted me with responsibilities right away, which I really liked,” reports Sarah Faust. Sarah felt like an equal member of the team and was able to openly express problems and differences of opinion. She found this to be a particularly good experience during her internship abroad. “It was a very inspiring and exciting environment, everyone was motivated to make a difference and get involved,” she recalls. Through the internship abroad, the international management student learned more about her own weaknesses and strengths and worked on many projects. “My supervisors helped me clarify my career goals,” she concludes. The company’s weekly recreational activities and biannual office parties were a great way to get to know other colleagues.
Lisbon’s international flair shines bright
“Going to Lisbon was an unbelievably great experience for me," enthuses Sarah Faust. The international character of the city makes it easy to get by with English and participate in sports, cultural and leisure activities and to make friends. There is also plenty to explore outside of Lisbon; the beach is only a 30 minute drive from the city. Sarah can also recommend a trip to the Algarve, the city of Porto or the Canary Islands. In her free time in Lisbon, she visited the many restaurants, cafés, flea markets, second-hand stores and enjoyed spending time on the beach. Nightlife is best spent at a rooftop bar or in the Bairro Alto district with bar tours followed by a visit to a club. “But my favorite activity was sitting outside at one of Lisbon’s countless kiosks with a drink or a pastel de nata with a friend,” says Sarah Faust. Sarah Faust is still working for Emma – The Sleep Company in Frankfurt as a working student now that her internship has ended.
