I started looking for an internship last year so that I could get some practical experience next to my theoretical studies. I study applied Marketing & Communication science in Germany and am really interested in the psychology behind marketing, and how you can be creative with your content. To be given the opportunity to do that within the travel industry has been great.
I wanted to do an internship abroad because I wanted to live in a different country on my own for a longer period of time. I wanted to experience a new city independently. Finding a marketing internship was a bit harder than I expected. I originally looked in London but many internships are only 3 months and unpaid, which isn’t really achievably on a student’s budget.
After a while searching, I chose BungalowSpecials, an online travel provider specialising in holiday parks across Europe. They offer 6 month internships in an international environment, two aspects which were really appealing to me. The office is based in Haarlem and I lived in Amsterdam, which meant I could get to know two Dutch cities during my internship.
It gave me insights into the behind-the-scenes of a growing company
I worked in the content marketing team for the German label, FerienparkSpecials.de, and my tasks mainly consisted of copywriting, SEO and link building. In my writing I had to attract the right target groups with the right keywords, perform keyword analyses and get familiar with all of the important SEO tools. I also got to work with systems like the CMS (Content Management System) and the Extranet, which are an integral part of most marketing positions. This improved my knowledge of content marketing and also gave me an insight into the behind-the-scenes of a growing company.
The great thing about BungalowSpecials is that it’s a young and dynamic company with a big group of interns. This meant that as soon as I arrived, I was able to meet people who were in the same position as me and had similar ambitions. It provided me with a real sense of community within the company and I felt at home almost immediately.
The CEO plays foosball with everyone at the end of the day
The freedom you’re given within your role is great. At the very beginning you start working quiet independently. That’s one big cultural difference that I noticed. In Germany, companies still operate in a very hierarchical way. At BungalowSpecials, the CEO plays foosball with everyone at the end of the day and doesn’t even have his own office. The relaxed atmosphere in the office gives employees the freedom to express themselves and be creative in their work. This lack of hierarchy is good for the atmosphere, but also great for the company and the employees.
If I could change one thing about my experience then I would have bought a bike when I first moved here. It was cold, and because I enjoy walking, I decided against it. On second thoughts, biking in Amsterdam is something everyone should experience if they live here!
I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone, not just on a professional level, but a personal one. It’s broadened my understanding of working in corporate atmosphere, the behind-the-scenes aspects of marketing and the cultural differences in the workplace.