Aleksandar

How did you find your traineeship? How did you apply for it? How did you prepare for your stay abroad?

I already work at Siemens in Vienna and was able to arrange the international internship through internal contacts within the company. After consulting with my manager and the team in Portugal, it was agreed that I would be assigned to Siemens in Amadora. To prepare, I clarified the university’s organizational requirements, gathered the necessary documents, and familiarized myself with the job, the location, and the local conditions.

What practical arrangements have you made before the stay abroad?

I arranged accommodation in Lisbon in advance and clarified insurance coverage, travel arrangements and the necessary university documents. As an EU citizen, no visa was required. I also planned the travel to Portugal, local public transport, my budget and everyday expenses. The accommodation was booked before departure, and I prepared all required documents for the internship and the university.

How were you greeted, trained and welcomed by the company?

I was welcomed very well by the Siemens team in Amadora. I had a local contact person and colleagues who supported me whenever I had questions. At the beginning, I received an introduction to the local team, working environment and relevant tasks. Since I already worked for Siemens in Austria, I was familiar with many internal processes and tools, which made the onboarding easier.

About Finding a Room or Apartment and Housing

I stayed in a shared apartment in Lisbon, in the Santos/Laranjeiras area. The room was small but sufficient and the apartment had shared common areas and bathroom facilities. The location had good public transport connections and allowed me to reach both the city centre and Siemens in Amadora. The accommodation cost approximately EUR 600 per month (only for the bedroom) plus additional initial fees and deposit.

What financial arrangements did you make? What was the average cost of living?

I financed the stay through my regular Siemens salary, study grant, Erasmus+ funding and personal savings. Lisbon is relatively expensive, especially accommodation, restaurants and leisure activities. Including rent, food, transport, gym and personal expenses, I estimated my average monthly living costs at approximately EUR 1,300–1,600, depending on travel and leisure activities.

How would you describe the country, culture and leisure activities you experienced during your stay abroad?

Portugal offers a very relaxed atmosphere, friendly people, excellent food and a wide variety of landscapes. I especially enjoyed the Atlantic coast, beaches, forests and national parks. During my stay I visited Lisbon, Porto, Gerês, Ericeira and the Algarve. In my free time I went hiking, swimming, to the gym, explored beaches and nature areas and experienced local restaurants and city life.

How would you describe the traineeship? 

The internship was very positive. I worked in an international and professional environment with good infrastructure and strong support from the local team. My tasks were related to sales support, sales operations, lead generation, analysis and digital building solutions. I was able to work independently, contribute to real business topics and gain insight into how Siemens operates in another country.

What new skills and qualities have you acquired?

I improved my English communication skills and gained valuable intercultural experience by working with colleagues from another country. Professionally, I strengthened my knowledge in sales operations, business development, data analysis and digital building solutions. I also became more independent, flexible and confident in organizing my work and everyday life abroad.

How have your values and attitudes changed as a result of your time abroad?

The stay made me more independent and open to working and living in an international environment. I learned to appreciate different working styles and cultures and became more confident in dealing with unfamiliar situations. At the same time, the experience showed me how important personal relationships, flexibility and a good work-life balance are to me.

Looking back, what was the greatest challenge in preparing for or during your stay abroad? 

The greatest challenge was organizing everyday life independently in a new country while combining work, university requirements and personal responsibilities. Finding suitable accommodation and dealing with some practical issues in the apartment also required flexibility and patience. However, these challenges helped me become more independent and solution-oriented.

What was your most positive experience during your stay abroad?

The most positive experience was the combination of international work experience and the opportunity to discover Portugal. I particularly appreciated working with the local Siemens team, gaining new professional perspectives and spending my free time exploring the Portuguese coast, nature and different regions of the country.