Candidate Exposé – Lukas Hug

New week, new candidate – rather a new “old” candidate.

I am happy to present the story of Lukas, our previous INTERNeXer 🙂 glad he shared all his special memories with us.

Today it’s all about Lukas, a 25-year old student from Germany. During his time in Canada he did his bachelor degree in economics but now he’s already finishing his master’s degree in Finance and Accounting in Munich. Originally, he’s from the Black Forest. Additional fact 😉 – in his free time he likes to play soccer by the sea.

First things first, he enjoyed his time abroad very much. Since he wanted to work and live abroad for his entire life, the day Timothy visited his university and did a presentation about the programs INTERNeX has to offer, made Lukas’ decision. In this context a huge thank you to the INTERNeX team for making this opportunity possible for him. He did a practicum with a wealth management company which is a common company especially in Canada and the US. Primarily his tasks were to organize and taking part in networking events mostly to get new clients as well as recruiting and consulting tasks. He also did some office organization jobs which definitely sounds like an interesting and varied workday.

Furthermore, he enjoyed being in a multicultural department with 4 guys from France, England, Poland, and Russia helping people to invest and save money with e.g., retirement plans or providing support in insurance tasks. There’s not only one thing that was the best about his stay in Canada, it’s a collection of memories. He really enjoyed being surrounded by friendly open-minded people who are always polite and tolerant. Because of this it was always easy to get to know new people from all over the world. For him it was not only about improving his language skills, but also getting work experiences in an international atmosphere. Another interesting fact he pointed out is the difference in financial planning between Germany and Canada as well as the different processes being used. This practicum helped him a lot to see finance from another point of view.

From the first moment on, Vancouver was a big adventure for Lukas. It all started with waiting for 5 hours at the immigration office because they were so busy. After that, he was able start to enjoy his stay with a BBQ at Kitsilano Beach organized by his host family. It was a great chance to get to know each other.

He enjoyed many of the INTERNeX events such as almost every pubnight on Wednesday. Additionally, he participated in a soccer club which is a funny story…. On his way to a hiking trip to grouse mountain he just spotted some guys playing soccer. He watched them until one of them asked him to join. He didn’t wait to be asked twice. From this moment on he was part of the team and participated in the training and games every week. He also enjoyed all the hiking trails like Garibaldi Lake or Grouse Mountain where he enthusiastically enjoyed the amazing view. However, for him, the Rocky Mountains trip was next to his trip to Victoria to meet some friends, for sure the best experience.

In his words he gave 5 out of 5 stars to the INTERNeX Team, his experiences, and the whole stay in Canada!!
Thanks Lukas

Have a great week 🙂

Cheers,

– Tatjana

INTERNeX International Exchange
2005-689 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 0J2
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Candidate Exposé – Helena Lauterbach

Wouldn’t it be great to share stories of previous INTERNeXers and see what they have experienced so far? I definitely think it is. So i want to introduce you to a good friend of mine who had the unique opportunity to get to know beautiful Canada (with me) a couple of years back. This is Helena, 22 years old from a small town close to Bochum in Germany. She’s currently studying environmental engineering which she started after her stay in Canada. She definitely decided to come to Canada for multiple reasons. On the one hand she wasn’t sure what exactly to study , so she decided to go abroad for a gap year. Yes, she stayed in Canada for a whole years which i think is absolutely amazing. She also had the aim to improve her language skills and since people in Canada speak English and French it was a great way to learn both languages. Moreover, she also wanted to meet new people from many different cultures. Additionally, she had heard a lot about really friendly people and the gorgeous landscapes in Canada which made the decision for Vancouver much easier. Who would say no to live in a country that has so much to offer?

During her stay in Canada it was kind of a “half and half”. Initially she participated in the practicum program where she did an unpaid internship for 6 months. She stayed at a staffing company based in the middle of downtown Vancouver. Maybe you can spot the big “W” when being there. That’s the building she worked in. Her tasks were to support this company with employing people and organizing promotion events.
Since she wants to work in an international company and speak English more fluently, this practicum was really useful for her career goals. She also became more independent in handle new and sometimes even challenging situations with different kinds of people.
After her practicum, she participated in the work and travel program. During the winter months she worked as an lift operator in Mount Seymour which came with the free ski pass for the whole season and for other locations such as Cypress Mountain as well. This was a really great experience and is highly recommended by her.
She told me that she made countless beautiful memories in Canada, but the Rocky Mountains trip was definitely one of her highlights. In addition, the view from Mount Seymour over the whole city Vancouver while lateshift was pretty amazing.

Of course, she also joined a few of the INTERNeX organized events. At the beginning of her stay she participated in the most because through these she got the nice chance to get to know people more easily and to establish contacts with people from around the world. She would have liked to take part in more pubnights, but as an 18 years old it wasn’t always that easy.
Side fact: In Vancouver you’re an adult from the age of 19.

But she could enjoy a few and also many other activities such as the open air cinema, a biketour in Stanley Park – yes as you can see in the picture we had a lot of fun – and beautiful hiking trips. Of these she liked the Garibaldi lake, Squamish Chief and the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park the most. She also went skiing very often (because of her job 😉 ), had BBQ’s at lakes and visited Vancouvers beaches. On the weekends she exploited the opportunity to go to Vancouver island, including Victoria and Tofino to explore the beautiful area out there. This definitely sounds like a great time and an incredible stay in Canada. After these experiences Helena told me that she’s highly motivated to travel more. She also wants to say thank you to the INTERNeX team for the help in preparing her time abroad especially with the work permit but also for the great opportunity to meet amazing people and see new wonderful places.

Hope you enjoyed our first Candidate Exposé after such a long time.

Cheers 🙂

– Tatjana

INTERNeX International Exchange
2005-689 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 0J2
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Candidate Exposé – Marie Olbrich

My name is Marie and I am 19 years old. Back in Germany I finished school last year and I am planning to go to university this year, although I haven’t made a decision about what to study yet. I always wanted to come to Canada but in the end it was very spontaneous to come here.

Internex is great for me. The people I met through Internex are great and I can say that I made friends for life here. Internex is the partner agency of my German organization so that’s how I got in contact with them.

Currently I am doing an internship at a non-profit organization and I am working in the office but also take a few shifts as a volunteer during the shows. Every year they put on two great shows, which I am currently working at as well. I couldn’t wish for a better workplace. My colleagues are great and they became a second family to me. Here you need to be creative, have to work in a team and be able to multitask. You need to work independent as well.

I am living in a homestay and it is part of the program I choose, so Internex found it for me. My first impression here was as I imagined a northern American city. It also reminded me a bit of home as I come from Berlin, which is even a bit bigger than Vancouver.

I try to take part in as many activities as possible Internex organises, and always enjoy to talk to the other students. The pub nights are a great opportunity to meet new people and keep in touch with everyone.

The Rockies were definitely one of the best experiences so far. I went to Seattle with a few friends and did a roadtrip through California and Nevada with people I met through Internex. Greater Vancouver has so much to offer as well and you don’t even need to travel too far.

Canada’s landscape and nature is just beautiful. Also the people here are quite friendly (most of the time). Difficulties I find is that the transit system is not the best and life in Vancouver is quite expensive.

Internex helped me to connect to other people here and to share experiences with them. I would recommend Internex to my friends and I already did ☺ I always loved to travel and I try to visit as many countries as possible. When I get home from this experience I will have a huge BBQ with my family.

– Marie

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Candidate Exposé – Blanca Alanis

I am Blanca, 22 years old, from Monterrey in Mexico and I am studying International Marketing at UDEM. This is my last summer as a student, so I decided to come and do my internship and have an international experience. Internex has an alliance with my school and I was looking for an internship program in Canada, and so my teacher of international experiences gave me this option.

I chose an internship because you have the chance to work in another country where the culture is so different than your home. So besides working in the things you like and what you want to do, maybe the rest of your life, you can also learn here how the work-environment is in a different part of the world. Besides that you will be able to bring your culture here as well, and take good things from the place you worked at to your country.

At my placement you have to be a person who enjoys to work, being proactive will help you to gain their confidence so they will trust you to do tasks that they don’t give to an intern normally. If you have creative skills and know how to work under pressure you will make it in this job. I have to say that being an outgoing person will help you to make friends at work and it makes an easier going environment. And the last thing that has helped me a lot is being efficient. They love it when you do your tasks well and fast and when you keep asking for more tasks.

My first impression when I arrived, I remembered I said “It’s super green here”. Every time you are walking or sit in the bus, wherever you turn your head, there are trees and gardens everywhere. At first, I was scared of being by myself at night but you get used to it and you realize that Vancouver is a safe place.

I attend quite some activities and pub nights, and I really like that they organise these things. It helps you in making friendships and to go out. They are such good persons, if you have a question you can ask them and they will help you, they make you feel part of the group from the beginning. I have been to the pub nights, the different museums, beaches, grouse mountain, garibaldi lake, victoria, Lynn Canyon, etc.

What I like most about Vancouver is that the people are kind, the city is super clean and green, the recycling system, how the economy here is thanks to small business and that the city is made for public transportation and bikes, not only for cars.

I didn’t really had difficulties, at first it was just getting used to use the public transportation and feel comfortable knowing that they are safe and always on time.

The most memorable thing I did so far I have to say that being on the top of the garibaldi lake made me feel great, I was tired of waking up so early and I was just about to not going, because I just wanted to sleep but I knew I had to go. It’s a long hike and takes you the whole day, so if you are patience you will enjoy the great and beautiful view. That’s how life works, patience is a virtue and if you learn to wait and being perseverant, at the end everything will be worth it.

This experience inspired me to travel more. Now I know that I want to work in different places, because I like to understand and live the different cultures. I don’t have a specific place, life takes you where you need to be, and so if the opportunity comes to me I’ll go anywhere.

Internex was helpful for me because they help you in the process of finding an internship in what you really want to do. They have different events that give you the opportunity to meet friends and they help you also during your stay to make you feel comfortable and answer all your questions.

The first thing I will do when I get back home is see my family, friends and my dog!!, they are the one who I miss the most, also my food of course, ill see them while we eat some tacos.

– Blanca

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Candidate Exposé – Miriam Herzog

My name is Miriam. I’m 20 years old and I am from Germany. I’m not studying yet but I plan to start in October.

I decided to come to Canada, because I wanted to improve my business English, live abroad again and I heard Vancouver is really pretty. Plus Canada was the only English speaking country from my agency that offered an internship in business.

I really liked INTERNeX. I really felt welcome and appreciate all the work and events they did. I decided to make use of their services because my German agency cooperates with INTERNeX. I did 3 months of internship and 3 months school. I chose it to have better chances when I apply for University. I really liked both.

I didn’t start University yet but some Universities in Germany want you to have some internship experience before you even can apply. It was a useful experience for my career. It’s always good to show some experience you gained abroad.

I stayed for my entire stay at a Homestay. I really liked it. My host parents are both really nice and I had a lot of nice roommates. During the end I got quite tired of toast, rice, fried chicken, fish and any other kind of Asian food haha, but besides that it was great!

My first impression of Vancouver is that it is multicultural, rainy and a friendly city. Still think that way, but I also think there are lots of homeless people. Overall it is really pretty.

I attend most of the activities organized by Internex. I really liked them. They are really good to make friends, see cool places with cool people and to have lots of fun. I really appreciate all the work of the PR- Team.

During my stay I went hiking, sight seeing, to a hockey game, travelling and so on. Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Noth-Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Joffre Lake and Seattle are places I have been to.

What I like most about my current city is the nature and the pretty places. Some difficulties / challenges I dealt with are the big population of Asian people and the really spreaded language (Mandarin I guess), all the rain and the many homeless people.

The most memorable experience I had here is the Joffre Lake hike and all the nights out with friends as well.

Internex was helpful for me to meet people, see places I didn’t know about and knowing what is going on in the weekend. The first thing I will do when I get back home is eating some good German bread instead of toast all day.

– Miriam

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com