Siegfried Skeper

AT WORK

I was part of the B360 internship at Zweifel-Pomy Chips AG company for the duration of three months (August- October), which is in Switzerland (Spreitenbach). Zweifel is one of the famous and well-known manufacturing companies in Switzerland because it produces almost everyone’s “favorite chips” also known as “Zweifel chips” but it also manufactures snacks such as popcorns, pretzels etc. Zweifel company uses standards such as IFS (International Featured Food standard), ISO 9001 (Quality management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) to ensure that the products are at its best quality when it reaches the consumers.

During my time at Zweifel, I have met a dynamic team in the quality and development department that was friendly, hardworking, and committed; through them I experienced the feeling of being in a professional working class. My job profile for the internship was analyzing water content, salt content, fat content, acrylamide in the manufactured products and the quality of oil used for frying the chips. Hadassa (my mentor) together with other working colleagues ensured that I was exposed to all the important aspects of food safety and they were good people. I also spent one week in Biolytix which is an analytic laboratory. I was introduced to different type of laboratories such as the microbiology, Genetic modified organisms DNA extraction, animal serology and allergen laboratory.

During this internship I learned how to be tolerant, adaptive, more confident, to be a good time manager, to be able to engage with others, to deal with challenging situations and to always look at situations from a different side of the world.

My Swiss Host Family

What could I’ve done without the Blumenthal family; their warm welcome in their house was incredible and they laid a foundation for me to easily understand and adapt to the Swiss culture. Marco (Leader of the QM department at Zweifel and my host dad) he is really a good father and well-skilled leader, Karin (my host mother) she is a good mother and a good cook indeed, Manuel (eldest host brother) he is really open-minded, funny and he loves trains very much, Gabriel (second host brother) he likes soccer and enjoys art and Madliana (my host sister) she loves gymnastics  and one will always love to listen to her stories.

Dinner time was always the best because it was time for engaging to know how the day went for all and not forgetting the delicious Swiss dishes such as fondue, raclette, spaghetti carbonara, capuns etc. made by my family. My host family also made for me carrot cakes because I like carrot cake and it was delicious (with the top icing doing the best); they always ensured that I was doing fine, and everything was going well. They are such a funny, lovely, and beautiful family who shared all the knowledge they had with me; God bless them.

Highlights and Challenges in Switzerland

Traveling every weekend to explore Switzerland was one of my highlights and not only Switzerland but few of the neighboring countries like Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein and Austria. It was also exciting to travel with other interns. We visited the Rigi Mountain, Zermatt the Klein Matterhorn (the best from all the trips), Geneva and still the list continues. The Swiss food is also one of the things I will never forget. However, one of my only challenges was sometimes the language barrier but I used all means such as body language to continue the conversation (smile).

My Future Plans

This is my final year and hopefully I will graduate next year, then I will look for a job and work for a year. After that I want to pursue my master’s degree in food safety or food technology.

Personal Message

I just want to thank B360, NUST and all-important partners that were involved in this internship. I am forever grateful for this life changing opportunity that was granted to me and most importantly I thank God for making this internship a success. Never underestimate the power of prayer; believe that you can and that you are capable of anything. You can and you will make it; Take all opportunities and make your dream alive.