Latest News
A true student of the world
November 2009
Anubhav Anand, from India, took the term ‘international student’ one step further when he decided to undertake an internship overseas last semester.
Anubhav arrived in Australia to study Swinburne’s Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering). He enjoyed the experience of immersing himself in a new country and culture so much that he arranged an internship with German direct sales company Vorwerk Elektrowerke through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).
Swinburne hosts IAESTE – an independent, non-profit and non-political student exchange organisation. It provides students studying science, engineering and technology with paid, course-related, technical training abroad.
IAESTE Australia assisted him with the visa application process and pre-departure preparation. IAESTE’s German branch helped Anubhav with arrival advice, including reception arrangements and accommodation, “I was very relieved to know that someone would be picking me up from the airport”, says Anubhav.
Not only did he have IAESTE but also luck on his side, "My placement was arranged just before the global financial crisis began to hit Europe."
Upon his arrival in Germany, Anubhav wasted no time in discovering the country he would call home for the next six months. "I went to a cultural festival in Koln on my first weekend and met other IAESTE trainees, some of whom became my Vorwerk colleagues. We all had great fun cheering a parade through central Koln before hitting a pub for German beer and cultural music," he says.
"That weekend was just the start to many other great weekends. I travelled around Europe and in France witnessed some extraordinary pieces of architecture such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triumph. I also marvelled at the fine piece of art of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum."
After a couple of weeks at his host company, Anubhav had the opportunity to work independently on various projects, "The work was extremely satisfying and my superiors were very patient and provided professional training and guidance during the internship. I couldn’t thank them enough for recognising my potential and giving me the liberty to develop it," he says.
“It's the overall experience of the IAESTE traineeship program that you cherish for a long time. I definitely recommend IAESTE to anyone who's interested in an enriching and unforgettable experience.”
