Rosalie Kahambundu
Credit Suisse,
AM&EMEA Balanced Solutions
Bachelor Student in Economics
Namibia University of Science and Technology
February 01 - March 17, 2020
AT work
Interning at Credit Suisse Asset Management, Balanced Solution was an amazing experience and one that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I remember my first day we went to Shilcity to meet with our team members, I was so nervous to meet my mentor, Stephanie and line manager Thomas. I was just hoping and praying that they will like me and that I will not give a bad first impression. I first met with Stephanie and later with Thomas, they were so wonderful and amazing. I loved everything about my introduction and the first week, as it was more for getting to know my environment, setting up the computer, making sure everything was working and running and also to get to know the people I was working with. Everyone was so helpful, friendly and warm. My work experience was great, colleagues would invite me for a coffee during break and that made me feel great and also part of the team. During my work there, I also sent out daily information about cash flows out of or into the discretionary mandates managed by the Balanced Solutions. That was a huge task for me because our Head Rene was also receiving it. I loved most that my mentor gave me some lessons on Portfolio theory and also encouraged me during my internship to organise meetings to speak to different people in the departments, to fund managers to get an introduction to the work they did and how they got started. I was placed in the perfect department with the perfect team too. I not only learned technical skills at the workplace but beyond too. I have a clearer picture of my future plans because of working at the Balanced Solutions department.
My Swiss Host Family
My host family is so loving and caring people. They made us feel welcome and comfortable. Our first day we had breakfast at home and we got to meet all the family members, we lived with our host brother and sister too. My room was lovely and had a mother’s touch to it. Our host dad and mom went with us to ICF Zurich for the English service the first Sunday we were in Zurich. That I will never forget, as the church is very important to me and the message that day was about, Work. It was a wonderful and powerful message for me as the following day would be our first day at work. I only got love and warmth from my host family. The host mom is so kind and hardworking. She made sure we had lunch every day at work. On Valentine’s Day from work, I found a rose and lots of chocolate in my room which was so lovely. Although our host dad got ill during our time there, he was present and just wanted us to feel at home. We went to nearby a village from home and to Rhine fall. I miss them dearly and we keep in touch.
Highlights and Challenges in Switzerland
I had a great time in Switzerland with so many highlights, but to mention a few…I enjoyed church so much on Sunday and I now even watch them live from Windhoek. I enjoyed the time spent with the other interns on weekends, we got to walk around the city, we went to Lucerne and up Mount Rigi the first weekend. Time spend with Markus at the Prime Tower was amazing and I got to try the hot mustard sauce, unforgettable. The introduction session we had at Swiss Re was fantastic, Tawanda and his team did a great job.
My challenge was having to spend about two hours on trains/tram/bus to get to and from work daily. If you miss a train or get on the wrong one it would even be longer. When you reach home you would be tired and just wanted to eat and go to bed.
My Future Plans
My focus now is to complete my Bachelor’s degree this year and hopefully land a job in the financial sector. I would like to do a Masters in Finance program soon and get some certifications in the future.
Personal Message
I could never say thank you enough to B360 Education Partnership. What they have done for me and so many others is amazing. I feel blessed to have been part of the 2020 selected. Thank you so much for the opportunity, the wonderful work you do and the many lives you are changing.