Inside Nagel

Apprenticeship across borders

Luise and Dominic share their experiences from their international branch exchange program in Poland and Denmark

Working in another country for several weeks, getting to know new colleagues, and experiencing how the Nagel-Group collaborates across national borders: This is exactly what the international branch exchange program offers to apprentices.

Luise and Dominic took advantage of this opportunity. Luise, now an HR manager at Nagel Technical Services in Versmold, completed her exchange in Poland. Dominic, an apprentice in freight forwarding and logistics services in Borgholzhausen, spent several weeks at the Padborg location in Denmark. In this interview, they both explain why they decided to participate in the exchange, how they were welcomed at their host locations, and what they gained from this experience, both professionally and personally.

Arriving and Working in an International Team

How did you end up participating in the international branch exchange program, and why did you decide to do it?

Dominic quickly realized that he wanted to do the exchange abroad. “If I have this opportunity, I want to go abroad right away,” he says. He was particularly interested in how work is done at an international location and how communication with other branches works. Luise didn’t have to think twice either. For her, the exchange program was actually one of the things that made the Nagel-Group interesting right from the start of her application: “When the opportunity became a reality, I went straight to my training supervisor and said, ‘I’d love to do that.’”

Luise chose Poland because she could learn about large branches and administrative processes there. At the same time, it was personally appealing to her: a new country, a different culture, and the experience of going into an unfamiliar environment on her own. Dominic was drawn to Denmark, partly because he had already been interested in Scandinavia.

How were you welcomed by your colleagues there?

The transition was easier for both of them than one might expect before a stay abroad. Dominic already had a solid plan in place before his arrival: his housing, point of contact, and areas of responsibility were all arranged. “I immediately felt welcome. It wasn’t like I was standing there on the first day not knowing where to go.” Luise also describes her welcome in Poland as very warm. She was actively involved, things were explained to her in detail, and her colleagues were also interested in how things are done at the German location. “Everyone really went out of their way. I was welcomed very warmly and always had someone I could turn to.” As a result, both of them quickly felt that they weren’t just visiting, but were truly part of the team for the duration of their stay.

New Tasks, New Processes, New Perspectives

What tasks or processes did you learn about at the location, and what was particularly exciting or different compared to your home location?

In Poland, Luise gained insights into various administrative areas: She learned about recruiting processes, processed job applications, assisted with claims handling, and supported the branch manager’s assistant. In Denmark, Dominic worked in LTL import, FTL export, and the LTL import network, among other areas, and also had the opportunity to get to know another location.

What was particularly exciting for both of them was comparing their new environment to their own. In Poland, Luise noticed that many colleagues are in the office every day, which makes communication more direct and distances shorter. Dominic had a similar experience in Padborg: many departments in one large office, quick coordination, and short distances. “If something came up, you’d just walk right over,” he says. Luise sums up the comparison well: “It wasn’t better or worse than here, it was just different. Experiencing that firsthand was exciting.”

What did you learn professionally from the exchange, and what did you take away from it on a personal level?

Professionally, both of them gained a new perspective above all else. Dominic found it exciting to experience collaboration from the perspective of a branch office for a change, rather than just from the perspective of the home office. Luise was able to deepen her understanding of HR processes and administrative procedures, which aligns with her future career path in HR.

At the same time, it was about more than just professional knowledge for both of them. Luise describes how her time in Poland made her more independent and taught her a lot about the local culture, people, and everyday life. “Being on your own in a country you didn’t know before really helps you grow.” Dominic feels the same way: Even though he would have described himself as an open-minded person before, the exchange made him even more open-minded.

Why the exchange Is worth It

How did you spend your free time there, and was there anything outside of work that particularly left an impression on you?

Even after work and on the weekends, the exchange was a special experience for both of them. Luise used her time in Poland to explore Poznań, take the train to Gdańsk and Kraków, visit cafés, and get to know the country beyond her daily work routine. Gdańsk, in particular, left a lasting impression on her: “The architecture is beautiful, and the city has a very lively atmosphere.”

Dominic lived in Flensburg during his exchange and could quickly get to the Padborg site from there. In his free time, he went to soccer practice, bowling, and out in Aarhus with colleagues, or they’d spend evenings together. “I was there on my own, but I was actually always out and about with people. Whenever I talk about that time, I can’t help but smile. It was just a wonderful experience.”

How did the Nagel-Group support you in organizing and carrying out the exchange?

Both of them found organizing the exchange to be very straightforward. A significant part of it was handled through the European Erasmus funding program. At the same time, Luise and Dominic received close support from their training supervisors as well as the contact persons at the respective national subsidiaries.

Accommodations, travel arrangements, work schedules, and coordination with the locations were organized jointly in advance. As a result, both knew even before their arrival who to contact and which departments they would be getting to know on site. The exchange was also well covered financially: travel expenses, accommodations, and other costs were covered by Erasmus and the Nagel-Group, so the trainees incurred virtually no out-of-pocket expenses.

What advice would you give to other apprentices who are considering participating in an international exchange?

Luise and Dominic would definitely recommend the international branch exchange to other apprentices. Of course, it takes a bit of openness and the courage to embrace a new environment. But for both of them, that’s exactly where the greatest benefit lies. “It can only help you grow,” says Luise. Dominic sums it up similarly: “The three weeks fly by incredibly fast. At the end, I thought, ‘What? It’s already over?’” His conclusion is therefore clear: “Just take the chance and give it a try.”

The international branch exchange program demonstrates just how diverse training at the Nagel-Group can be: professional insights, international collaboration, new cultures, and personal development all go hand in hand here. For Luise and Dominic, it was more than just an assignment at another location. It was an experience they’ll never forget.