Entrepreneurship and Sustainability in Bremen, Germany

Name: Charlotte Bennett

Your academic school: History, Archaeology, & Religion

Where did you go? Bremen University, Germany

What type of placement did you complete? Volunteering Summer Programme

What motivated you to take up a Global Opportunity?
The description of the opportunity focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability, which felt very well-suited to me, and they offered a £1,000 bursary, making it seem very feasible. The programme was also organised for mid-September, meaning I still had a very flexible summer.

What were your top 3 highlights from your time abroad?
Meeting successful entrepreneurs and asking them questions about their creativity, business approach, and tips.

Touring beautiful Bremen, visiting the gorgeous parks and delicious bakeries and restaurants.

Meeting all the other students who were incredibly supportive and kind.

What was your biggest challenge? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was travelling alone in a new city. This is always slightly nerve-racking, but Cardiff University has been running this programme for years, so it was very well organised, and there were in-depth maps and advice on getting around. The best way to overcome this is to research the city and things that make you worried before you go.

How has your placement been beneficial to your studies at Cardiff University or your future career?
It has given me a good opportunity to demonstrate my creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm. It has given me lots of things to discuss in interviews, especially when they ask you a question you were not prepared for.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you left?
One thing I wish I had known was the cheapest way to explore Germany. You have the flexibility to travel before or after the programme, and I spent a lot more than needed getting the train, as I hadn’t researched the best app.

Share your top tips for thriving in your programme destination
Research the city before you go to see where the places you would like to visit are in comparison with where the programme is hosted and pick your accommodation according to this. I suggest picking somewhere in the centre as the tram is very well connected to the university, this way you are near parks, cafes, restaurants, the river, and the airport.

Please sum up your experience abroad in one sentence
A very relaxed and supportive way to go out of your comfort zone and see a beautiful city with financial support.