Diving into sea freight from different angles
Frederik, who had been with the company for nearly two years, including one year in Sea freight import at Kuehne+Nagel Germany, saw the internship opportunity as a chance to explore a new culture and deepen his understanding of operations.
“I assumed sea freight would be kind of big in Finland considering the country’s geography,” he explains. “Finland was one of the options - I’d never been here before and always wanted to visit. It seemed like a great opportunity.”
Frederik works in customer service within Sea freight import, however, during his internship in Finland, he had a more operations-focused role. During the internship his responsibilities included supporting shipment processing, coordinating documentation flows and assisting with billing and customs-related tasks.
Meanwhile, Selma focused on Sea freight export, producing bills of lading (B/L) documents and supporting customer requests. She also supported in Sea freight import department and gained insight into Road freight operations by helping dispatch trucks to Germany.
“Many aspects were similar, but I also learned some new information on the subjects,” she notes.
From day one at Kuehne+Nagel Germany, Selma was interested in gaining international experience.
“It forces you to become more independent and adapt to different surroundings, and it provides you with new experiences that will benefit your career.”
Beyond logistics: a journey of people, culture and collaboration
One of the most meaningful parts of the work experience in Finland for both Frederik and Selma was the team dynamic.
Selma says: “Everyone supports each other and is willing to help. There’s no shame in asking questions and collaborating to get a desired result”.
Frederik shares the same view: “My colleagues here were all very friendly and willing to integrate me into their team. If someone is open to meeting new people, it’s not difficult to connect.”
Outside the office, both interns explored Finnish traditions like saunas and local dishes.
“Every time I learn something about Finland and its culture, it was really fascinating to me. The more relaxed and open office culture compared to Germany was also a highlight,” Frederik shares.
Living abroad was a dream come true for Selma: “I’m considering working abroad later in life, and this has shown me that it won’t be an issue to adjust to a new environment. The people I’ve met here - both at Kuehne+Nagel and outside - made my stay even more special.”
Frederik agrees: “Experiencing the differences in culture, both in the office and daily life, was the highlight for me. It shows a lot about the history and mindset of a country.”
International internships: growth, gratitude and lasting memories
Both interns encourage others to take part in international internship if possible.
“You make unforgettable memories and grow both personally and professionally,” Selma says.
Frederik adds: “It challenges more introverted people to open to new experiences. In my opinion, there are almost only positives.”
And of course, they didn’t leave without heartfelt messages:
“To my colleagues in Helsinki: I had a great time here with all of you and I’m grateful that you included me in your team and every lunch.” -Frederik
“Thank you to my colleagues for the warm welcome and support throughout the weeks. I had a really good time working here and hope to keep in touch over the following years, kiitos! I’m also grateful for all the lunches and for listening to the stories of my adventures here.” -Selma
