An unforgettable internship in Berlin
“I feel I know a lot more about beer and brewing after having been to Germany,” says Davíð Stefánsson, a waiter apprentice, about an enjoyable internship in Berlin.
Last September, Davíð, a 19-year-old apprentice at the Monkeys restaurant in Reykjavík, went to Berlin for a four-week internship with an Erasmus grant, facilitated by Iðan Education Centre.
There, he worked at Lemke, a well-known brewery and restaurant in the city, and got a unique opportunity to deepen his knowledge of service and brewing in a country renowned for its strong beer culture.
Davíð's interest in Germany and its culture played a large part in his decision. He says the opportunities to learn about brewing there are much more diverse than in Iceland. “I've always been very interested in brewing, but what you can learn in Iceland is very limited compared to Germany,” he says.
In his opinion, the internship was a valuable addition to his studies and gave him a solid foundation that he now uses daily in his work.
People chatted on the street
His stay in Berlin also had a personal impact on him. Davíð lived alone in the city and says it boosted his self-confidence and opened his mind to the idea of living and working abroad in the future. He also experienced a big difference in how people interacted and found that people in Berlin were open, helpful, and quick to start conversations with strangers. “I often found myself chatting with people on the street, which doesn't happen very often here in Iceland,” he says.
Looking back, Davíð describes the experience as fun, educational, and unforgettable. He strongly encourages other students to take advantage of Erasmus opportunities if they arise. In his view, such an internship is a unique experience that fosters both professional and personal growth and is something no one should miss out on.
