My name is Aleksa Vukmanović, and I come from Bar, Montenegro. I had the incredible opportunity to complete my internship at Siemens Energy in Erlangen, Germany, as part of the Internship Programme of German Business. Reflecting on my time there, I can confidently say that this experience was one of the most rewarding and transformative periods of my life.
Siemens Energy is a large multinational company, and one of the best aspects of working there was meeting people from all around the world. Unlike some interns who are assigned to one major project from the start, my internship was more flexible. I moved around, assisting wherever I was needed. However, most of my time was spent working on Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). This process ensures that automation systems for electrical power plants function correctly before they leave the factory. Through this, I became familiar with every component of these systems and gained a deep understanding of how everything operates. One thing that stood out to me was how helpful and understanding my colleagues were. No matter how many questions I had, they were always willing to explain things to me. Factory Acceptance Testing is not an office job; it required hands-on work, which I found both engaging and rewarding. Since Siemens Energy is such a vast company, every intern’s experience can be completely different depending on their assigned projects.
One of the unexpected highlights of my internship was the social aspect. Before coming to Germany, I assumed that the main focus of this Programme would be gaining work experience. However, during the introductory week, I quickly realised how wrong I was. The sense of community among the interns was incredible. I met so many amazing, smart, and fun individuals who made this experience even more special. I was also lucky to be close to a large number of scholarship holders, which meant we could regularly meet up, have fun, and travel together.
During my internship, I tried many new activities such as rock climbing, a ninja warrior course, trampoline parks, and even laser tag. Almost every weekend, we would travel—not just within Germany, but across Europe. Some of my favorite places included Gran Canaria, Alicante, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague, and Düsseldorf. One piece of advice for future interns: buy a sleeping bag and an inflatable mattress as soon as possible! Many of us hosted each other in our apartments, and sleeping on the floor became a common (and surprisingly comfortable) solution after I got my inflatable mattress.
Financially, I never had to worry. The salary from Siemens Energy, along with the monthly scholarship, was more than enough to cover both living expenses and travel. Thanks to the generous number of vacation days and public holidays, I had plenty of time to explore new places.
Beyond work, my experience of living in Germany was amazing. From registering in the city to traveling around, everything went smoothly. Even if I had encountered any issues, I knew I could always count on the support of the project team of this Programme.
To anyone considering applying for the Internship Programme of German Business—just do it! The work experience is invaluable, but the friendships, travels, and memories you make along the way are just as important. And if nothing else, at least you’ll learn the fine art of sleeping on a floor in a different city every weekend.
This internship was an unforgettable experience, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Aleksa Vukmanovic, generation 2024
