Isabella Rosenlehner učenica je iz njemačkog Baar-Ebenhausena koja je u našoj školi odradila dvotjednu praksu u sklopu učeničkih razmjena na administrativnim i marketinškim poslovima.

Njezine dojmove i iskustva boravka u Hrvatskoj i rada u našoj školi možete pročitati u nastavku.

Could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Where are you from, and what brought you to our school?

I’m Isabella Rosenlehner, and I’m 17 years old. I’m from Germany, from a small village called Baar-Ebenhausen, which is near Ingolstadt. At my school, there was an opportunity for a two-week internship in Croatia; it sounded interesting, and I applied.  

What motivated you to participate in a work exchange program?

I wanted to gain more professional experience and improve my resume for future business opportunities. Also, my friends applied, and I thought it could be fun.  

How do you find the experience of working in our school’s administration office so far?

I like it, and everyone has been very nice to me. I even have my own small office. 

Can you share a bit about your daily tasks and responsibilities in the administration office?

The ladies in the administration office are doing a great job and have everything under control. However, I gladly helped with some minor tasks.

Have you faced any challenges or difficulties while adapting to your new role and environment? If so, how have you overcome them?

It’s always difficult to settle into a new place, especially if you don’t speak the language and others don’t notice at first. However, I was able to communicate very easily with everyone in English. 

Are there any misconceptions about your home country that you’ve encountered here, and if so, how have you addressed them?

I have been asked whether the wall is still completely standing in Berlin, which is a very funny question because only a minimal part is still there for historical reasons.

How does your cultural background influence the way you approach your work and interact with others here? Are there any cultural differences that you find particularly challenging or interesting?

I don’t think that my cultural background has particularly influenced me; I’m just a bit hesitant sometimes. But there are cultural differences, and to list them all would be impossible. Nevertheless, the thing I was struck by the most was the smoking habits in Croatia. 

What aspects of our school’s culture or community have surprised you the most?

Given that your school is small, I found the wide range of options you have for your students to organize their lessons very impressive.

Have you had the opportunity to interact with students and teachers outside of your work duties? If so, what have those interactions been like?

During a break, I talked with students, and I also chatted with the teacher, Jurleta, which was great because we spoke the same language. Speaking only English can be a challenge in the long run. 

Have you had the chance to explore our city or surrounding areas during your free time? If so, what have been your favorite places or activities?

I didn’t get a chance to see much of Varaždin, apart from sightseeing on the bus on my way to school. However, I know Čakovec a little better because I was staying there. We’ve eaten in many great restaurants and also played minigolf on the weekend. We also made a trip to Plitvička Jezera, which was breathtaking.

What are some of the main differences you’ve noticed between the education system here and in your home country?

I didn’t notice any particular differences in the school system because I only experienced German lessons, which are quite similar here and in my school.

Are there any particular skills or knowledge you hope to gain from your time here?

I’m taking with me a better cultural understanding and new experiences in a new professional area. Also, being able to deal with new people and situations in a foreign country.

How do you think this work exchange experience will benefit your future career or personal development?

With these types of experiences, one always develops a little more personality and becomes a little more adult. I believe that every future employer will also be impressed by such experiences in CV. 

What are some memorable experiences you’ve had since arriving at our school?

Every day at your school was a beautiful experience, especially seeing how your language was being taught. 

What advice would you give to other students who are considering participating in a similar work exchange program?

I can only recommend it to other students who want to do the same thing. I know that something like this can be a bit scary, but it’s really interesting to see the culture of another country in such detail, and it’s even more fun with friends. It is a unique opportunity that not everyone gets, and it will have a positive impact on the future. Especially if you want to work abroad, this is the first step to finding out whether something like this is right for you.