Ndaindila Mercy Haindongo

I had a remarkable internship at HACO. I was welcomed with open arms by my colleagues, it was evident that they had been looking forward to my arrival. I was based in the microbiology and analytics laboratories. I have gained loads of knowledge and practical skills, and most importantly I have learned the importance of accuracy and precision in a food safety laboratory. I had the best teams, they were very friendly and made it clear that if I needed help I should not hesitate. I felt part of the team because I was treated like an employee and not as an intern. Furthermore, I was glad that I could fill up the gaps of responsibilities when colleagues were on holidays as this was a challenge and I felt trusted by my team. All in all, the 3 months at HACO were the most practical experience I have ever had.

My host family was the best I could ever ask for. They were kind and understanding and what I loved about them most was that despite their busy work schedules, they always made sure to spend some with me. I will always be grateful for everything they taught me and I will definitely miss them. My colleagues and I travelled around Switzerland and the neighbouring countries. Some guest lecturers invited us to their homes and gave us tours around Switzerland. Thank you very much for making my stay in Switzerland so special and memorable!