Chifula Nambela

bob Finance AG

Bachelor student in Informatics University of Lusaka

February 01 - April 30, 2024

 
 

At work

During my three-month internship at Bob Finance in Switzerland, I worked within the IT department, interacting with various individuals and gaining valuable insights into the company's operations. Bob Finance, a part of the Valora Group, specializes in providing smart financial solutions to clients, including packages such as personal loans, merchant services.
Throughout my internship, I primarily focused on tasks related to data handling and observed how Bob Finance utilizes client data to remain dynamic and evolve its services. I learned about the importance of flexibility in business operations, witnessing firsthand how companies like Bob Finance adapt their technologies and approaches to achieve their objectives effectively.
One of the most interesting aspects of my experience was discovering the prevalence of Swiss coworking spaces and their well-organized setups. I also gained insights into data management practices and  various methods of bulk loading data through a pipeline. I explored the differences between ETL and ELT, and the significance of data cleaning and transformation in ensuring accuracy and reliability. In addition to my professional growth, I enjoyed building relationships with my coworkers. We shared meals together, and they provided valuable tips on life in Switzerland and helped me organize my travel plans.
My mentor, Olaf, was particularly supportive, offering assistance with my university work and providing ideas to enhance my project tasks. Furthermore, I delivered a presentation to my colleagues on Zambia, which was one of the most enjoyable experiences during my internship.

 
 

host family

During my internship, I had the privilege of staying with the Rohner family, where I experienced firsthand how Swiss families operate and learned valuable lessons about their culture. The family was incredibly accommodating of my curiosity, and we spent a lot of time together, bonding as a member of their own family.
One memorable experience was when my host dad took me to see the recycling facility in the community. It was fascinating to witness how Swiss systems operate on trust and discipline, with many community members actively participating in sorting recycling on weekends. This experience gave me insights into sustainable practices that could benefit my home country, Zambia, especially in addressing issues like load shedding.
As part of immersing myself in Swiss culture, we also visited Liechtenstein and Austria, where I observed both similarities and differences in their systems compared to Switzerland. Additionally, I learned some Swiss German words and enjoyed bonding with the family's two dogs, Sky and Storm, during long walks.

 
 

Highlights and Challenges in Switzerland

During my internship in Switzerland, I encountered both highlights and challenges. One of the challenges I faced was learning a particular technology needed to perform my task, which sometimes led to moments of self-doubt. Additionally, adjusting to the changing weather towards the end of my three months was another challenge I had to navigate.
However, there were many highlights during my time in Switzerland. Bonding with my host family over face masks during dinner was a memorable experience. Another highlight was dining together at a restaurant in Zug. I also enjoyed meeting other interns and going on trips together. Lunches with my colleagues were enjoyable, and one particular occasion stood out when a superior's daughter shared a gipfeli with me.

 
 

Future Plans

In the future, I aim to further my career in data analysis to understand how to improve the quality of life for young people in Zambia by promoting flexibility in how they can utilise their hobbies to create better lives. I hope that even as I continue to learn I can impart this knowledge to other Individuals. Learning more languages is also on my agenda, as I hope to start a support network for young women and individuals to take charge of their lives.

 
 
 
 

Personal Message

I am grateful to God for this life-changing experience. The time I spent in Switzerland was invaluable, and I am thankful for the unwavering support I received during my internship. Embracing mistakes as opportunities for learning is crucial; the more you practice, the better you become, and each mistake brings you closer to success, especially during moments of doubt. I extend my appreciation to Bob Finance, my mentor Olaf, and all my colleagues for their guidance and assistance. I am especially grateful to B360 Education Partnerships for their trust in me and the opportunity to grow professionally. My heartfelt thanks also go to my host family for their warm hospitality and positive influence on my life.