I really enjoyed the social opportunities that Beyond Academy provided for us interns. Having a solid group of friends to connect with and the chance to meet others going through similar experiences was incredibly helpful.
Before my program started, I was studying at a Korean Language Institute. I found it difficult to make friends there, as most Koreans kept to themselves, and many of the foreigners were there with a tourist mindset—most of them came with friends and didn’t seem interested in making connections within the country. However, once I started my internship, I was able to make friends with some fellow interns right away. They proved to be the most lovely and joyous people, even while facing challenges together. Outside of the program, we also made plans on our own, and my everyday life with my peers became one of my favorite parts of the experience.
Additionally, whenever I had questions, the Beyond Academy staff were always ready to help. They responded quickly, and their answers were always thorough and welcoming. Their approach made it easy to have open, comfortable conversations.
As for the work experience, I was fortunate with my company. I don’t consider my interview skills to be particularly strong, yet they were still willing to take me in. During my first week, they even let me leave an hour early (though I voluntarily stayed the full time) to rest. The team was incredibly kind and considerate. I was also lucky in that everyone spoke English, so communication was never an issue, and I always had people I could turn to. My commute was only 25 minutes with two transfers, which was quite manageable.
Other interns had different experiences, but it’s not my place to share those. Just keep in mind that travel times, social opportunities, and work environments can vary depending on each intern and their company.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was a dish I can’t quite remember the name of, but it consisted of a plate full of bean sprouts, a sauce, and monkfish. It looked absolutely delicious, but eating it turned out to be one of the most challenging things I’ve ever faced. I was alone at the time and wanted to treat myself, so despite its large portion size and high price, I went ahead and bought it anyway. Again, it looked really tempting.
However, when I dug in, I found that it was mostly bean sprouts, and the monkfish had barely any meat—it was mostly fat. There were eyeball sacs that squirted a musty green juice, parts of the jaw, fins, and other bits that made it something you really had to work through. I’m not a fan of eyeballs, and I can’t eat such strong and plentiful bones, so I could barely get through it. Just eating the bean sprouts alone was a challenge too.
But anyway, that was definitely the most unfamiliar! It was interesting—just not for me.
Response from Beyond Academy
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Alice! 💛 We’re thrilled to hear that the support from the very start from interview coaching to accommodation helped make your time in Berlin smooth and enjoyable. It’s wonderful that you were able to make the most of both the work experience and the activities, and that you developed skills that will serve you well in the future. We’re so glad Beyond Academy could help provide a genuine, well-rounded experience, Berlin misses you already! 🇩🇪✨