Ernestine Nkotongo

I learned and worked with the best team and my mentor Florian Sveda was really supportive and made sure I got the exposure I needed. The working environment is very conducive, my personal goals were met, the employees are so passionate about what they do, very helpful, polite and supportive. Some of the employees I worked with did not speak such good English, but still made effort to make me feel at home, help me and teach me when necessary.

My Swiss host family

During my stay in Switzerland, I lived with the Abdulkadir family. Madeleine was my host mother and we lived with her son Mohamed, Annemarie a family friend and another intern Anthens. They were very welcoming and made sure we settled in well. They are good listeners and easy to talk to and would always check in with me on how things at work are going. They showed me how to use the public transport to get around and would plan trips during the weekends. They would always help us plan trips and suggest places to visit. Madeleine is a very good cook and she always prepared something new and different for us to try. I enjoyed the typical Swiss Raclette and the cheese. I wish them nothing, but the best for the future and good health. I appreciate their kindness.

Highlights and challenges in Switzerland

My greatest highlight was the trip we made to Zermatt, we went up with cable cars to Klein Matterhorn and we were 3883 meters above sea level. It was my first time to touch and have fun in snow and it was fascinating how sunny it was up there, but freezing cold. I liked the amazing views of the Alps and the snow so much. Another highlight was my tour in the parliament building in Bern with Matthias Michel, it was very interesting and inspiring to hear the stories behind the country and how united all the 26 Cantons are. I enjoyed sight-seeing and travelling all over Switzerland and out of the 26 Cantons I visited; Zurich, Bern, Basel-Stadt, Ticino, Aargau, Solothurn, Zug, Schaffhausen, Lucerne, Graubünden, Thurgau, Valais and Schwyz. The public transport system impressed me the most, because it is well integrated, efficient and very effective.

Language was a barrier with my colleagues, as they did not speak English and it was difficult to communicate with each other at first, but as time passed by I started teaching them English and I took an online German class and practiced speaking German with my colleagues. The Swiss weather was really inconsistent and there was heavy rains especially during our last weeks and this was not ideal for me as I liked being outdoors, exploring and sightseeing.

My Future Plans

Thanks to this wonderful opportunity, I have gained unique skills and experience that will enable me to enroll for my Honors Degree next year. I fell in love with Export Control, because of its complexity and having to deal and review international trade agreements, sanctions, state rules and regulations. This was very interesting for me and will definitely like to major in Forward and Shipping Management in the near future. I also plan on continuing with my German class to get fluent.

Personal message

What is meant for you will fall into place at the right time. Despite of the pandemic and all the uncertainties, I held onto this opportunity and took the risk of postponing my graduation and in the end it all fell into place and my career profile is greatly enhanced, made connections and friends. I would take this opportunity to thank all the stakeholders that made this opportunity possible for me. NUST for having a program (WIL) that enables students to get exposed to the industry, Nico Smith for making me aware of the opportunity and for being supportive through the whole process, B360 for believing in me, being supportive and giving me this opportunity. Ferrum AG: Mr Debrunner Ulrich, Mr DeFrancesco Alfredo, Florian Sveda and the whole logistics department for passing on their knowledge and for welcoming me to the Ferrum family. My host family, the Abdulkadir family for giving me a home away from home. I will forever cherish this life changing opportunity and all the memories I created.