The company where I completed my internship in Iceland is active in the field of music management and is dedicated to booking management, licensing and publishing of music as well as talent management of currently 8 Icelandic singers. I was also able to get to know this enormous variety of activities during my internship. Right at the beginning, I had the opportunity to help prepare a concert in one of the country's largest venues and gain an insight into the work of the singers, sound and lighting technicians, choreographers and managers. In general, I had many opportunities throughout the internship to experience shows by a wide variety of singers and thus get to know the Icelandic music scene up close and always with goosebumps. Furthermore, my responsibilities during the internship included working on the strategic management of the company, which was reflected in the creation of business plans, feasibility studies or marketing plans, as well as contributing to the company's social media presence, where I was particularly tasked with managing various channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Spotify. There is no doubt that I was always given a great deal of trust in all of these activities, which is why I was able to work independently and independently on my tasks. The working atmosphere was characterized by respect, openness and meeting at eye level, which enabled me to quickly settle into the company's processes, especially at the beginning of the internship. My three colleagues were always on hand to give me advice and support and also really appreciated the feedback I gave them, which allowed me to contribute new ideas and my experience from my studies and previous internships when working on tasks. All in all, I was not only able to acquire professional skills, such as analytical or strategic-organizational skills, innovative and creative skills and knowledge of information and communication technology, but also to develop personal and social skills, in particular problem-solving, adaptation and communication skills as well as self-reflection and initiative. All of this will certainly be helpful not only for my further studies, but also for my career entry.
Fire and ice, sun and storm, mountains and sea. I was able to experience this magnificent diversity first-hand during my almost 4-month stay in Iceland and there is no doubt that I got to know and love a new facet of the island in the far north of Europe every day. It is not said for nothing that there is only one constant in Iceland: change. All in all, my stay in Iceland was an incredibly wonderful experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscape on numerous excursions, but I also got to know the everyday life of Icelanders. I learned about new traditions and ways of life and ultimately gained valuable intercultural skills. In addition, I was able to use and ultimately improve my foreign language skills, especially English, on a daily basis. These comprehensive language skills, as well as the intercultural skills I mentioned earlier, are undoubtedly extremely valuable skills in the increasingly interconnected world we live in. I also have fond memories of many wonderful experiences, such as visiting a recently erupted volcano, discovering ice-blue glacier lagoons, geysers and impressive waterfalls, a riding tour on Icelandic horses, but also the magical moments of the midnight sun. Shortly before returning home, I was even able to witness a volcanic eruption and observe this incredible natural spectacle up close. This was undoubtedly a very special highlight of my stay. I also got to know a new and different side of myself. Even though life abroad requires stepping out of your comfort zone, especially at the beginning, I quickly settled in and felt very comfortable. This is due in particular to the great and warm-hearted hospitality of the people I met. I found it extremely helpful that I networked with others in various Facebook groups (e.g. International Students in Iceland) beforehand and was therefore able to meet many new people right from the start. I can definitely give this as a tip to anyone who wants to do an internship abroad. I also developed personally, for example by gaining a greater degree of independence, self-organization and personal responsibility. All in all, I am very grateful for all those small and big moments and experiences during my internship and I can only recommend such a stay abroad! Because, in analogy to the constantly changing Icelandic nature, it is also necessary to leave familiar paths and change your own way of thinking and living in order to gain new perspectives, valuable experiences and personal development!
