Lyoko Sitenge
Credit Suisse,
Suisse Asset Management
Master Student in Economics
University of Zambia
February 01 - April 30, 2023
at work
I always looked forward to working at Credit Suisse every day. The first day in the office was one of the best moments in Switzerland for me. I was warmly welcomed with Swiss gifts on my desk, and Thomas, my mentor, made sure I was fully integrated into the team. I was introduced to every team member and had the privilege to interact with everyone in the office. While in the office, my mentor always made work and learning more practical and fun by pointing out how theory could be applied in my duties. I enjoyed working at Credit Suisse because each day gave me an opportunity to learn something new, which helped bridge the gap between my theoretical knowledge and the practical corporate world. Another important lesson I learned was self-management, which is the ability to carry out and execute duties effectively without constant supervision. This was helpful when I was engaged to work on a workshop presentation that required lots of thinking and creative. This would not have been possible without the skill of self-management I learned from my mentor.
My Swiss host family
I had the most amazing experience during my stay in Switzerland, where I was lucky enough to be hosted by two wonderful families, the Gantenbein and Meyer family. I had so much fun and enjoyed every moment spent in their homes. The families welcomed me with open arms, and I felt like I was part of their family from the moment I arrived. We shared breakfast and dinner together, exchanging values and learning more about each other's diverse cultures.
My time with these families was an incredibly valuable and rare privilege that I will always cherish. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned so much from them, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.
My highlights and challenges
Living in Switzerland gave me a lot of opportunities to do exciting things like travel, hike, and meet new people. I had a great time there and didn't have any major problems. The people were friendly, and I loved trying new foods and experiencing different cultures. Switzerland is a great place to work and learn new things, and I was grateful for the chance to be in Switzerland. The minor challenge I had was adapting to a colder environment than home. This meant that I would be carrying heavy winter jacket whenever I was outside.
My future plans
My top priority going forward is to complete my studies and leverage the experience and knowledge I have gained to advance my career. I am particularly interested in pursuing opportunities in the banking sector or entrepreneurship, with a focus on sustainable value addition businesses such as waste management and aggro-processing.
During my time in Switzerland, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and the urgent need for the world to adopt green technologies and embrace recycling. I view this as both a challenge and an opportunity to make a positive impact in my home country, which is in dire need of sustainable solutions. I am eager to explore ways in which I can contribute to this important cause.
Personal message
This has been an interesting journey of my life. I had the privilege of experiencing the Swiss life for the full three months. This period has given me invaluable lessons worth taking home. I am therefore happy to share my experience and lessons from work, my families, challenges in Switzerland, my future plans and a personal message.
I would like to appreciate, first B360 for organizing and making it possible for me to intern in Switzerland. To be given the opportunity to learn about Swiss culture and advance my knowledge while doing an internship is a rare privilege sought by many.
Secondly, I would like to thank Credit Suisse especially the team I interned in multi asset solutions under asset management for creating valuable learning experiences and providing me with the necessary support. Thirdly, I would like to thank my two host families for taking care of me for the entire three months. I never felt like a stranger while living in their homes. I will forever cherish the memories and the bond we created. Finally, I would like to thank all alumni and everyone who gave me tips about Swiss life.
To the future interns, this is indeed a lifetime opportunity that you need to embrace and take seriously. Learn as much as you can, ask questions, get contacts and interact with new people. Travel and have fun!
