Internship in Auckland: One of the best decisions in my life

Ratings
Overall
5
Growth: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Housing: 5
Safety: 5
Review

Doing an internship in Auckland, New Zealand was one of the best decisions in my life. The country is very beautiful and definitely more than just a short holiday worth!
I decided to do an internship after finishing my studies to improve my English and personal skills. I applied at INTERNeX (a German company conveyed the contact) for a technical internship and after a personal interview they offered me a great one in a subsidiary company of a big German airline company in the area of project management. INTERNeX helped me also finding a homestay and all the other planning (like visa, getting to my homestay, etc.), so I felt well prepared. The homestay was the best I could ever imagine. I really found a second home there and it was great to see the kiwi-way-of-life too.
My first day at work was really good. My boss picked me up at my homestay, showed me the office and the production, introduced me to a lot of people and explained me his ideas for the tasks I should do during the next month and asked me if I'm okay with that, so I was able to mention own ideas. My normal working day was from 9 am to 5 pm and I was allowed to use the company car to get to work. For my task I had to deal with a lot suppliers and I liked to see how different working in New Zealand is compared to Germany. We had an open-plan-office, but everyone was nice, relaxed ad really helpful. They also had sometimes morning tea's or afternoon tea's to celebrate special events like birthdays, welcomes, goodbyes or maternity leaves. I really felt good there and welcomed.
Luckily there were a lot of public holidays during my internship, so I was able to travel around the north island and I was allowed to take the company car as well :) Driving in New Zealand is a bit different than in Germany. Not only that you are driving on the "wrong side", no the car is reversed too! But the traffic is more relaxed and more considerate to the people around you and I got used to it fast. I visited the first sunrise of the world in Gisborne (breathtaking), one of the rare active volcanoes (white island volcano), the black sand at Piha Beach and lots more!
I advise everyone who is thinking about an internship to do it, because it is an adventure you will never forget and I don't regret my decision one single moment. Only the fact that I didn't had more time, but there is never enough time, right ;)

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2014
Media
Photos