Bosch N.V.

Tanya M., International Management in the Baltic Sea Region, 7. Semester, Belgien, Brüssel, Sommersemester 2025

 

The Search

Finding my internship wasn’t a carefully laid-out masterplan — it was more like late-night binges of LinkedIn and Indeed searches, sprinkled with a bit of luck. I was determined to find something international, and Brussels was at the top of my list. After all, who wouldn’t want to work in a city full of history, iconic art, and incredible food? From world-famous chocolate to golden waffles and a buzzing international atmosphere, Brussels had it all. This mix of curiosity and persistence eventually led me to Bosch N.V., where my internship journey began.

Application Process

Looking for an internship is not easy — I sent out nearly 100 applications, many of which never replied. It’s important to stay motivated despite rejections. Encouraged by a friend at the company, I applied to Bosch through their careers website (found on LinkedIn) for a position in Logistics, Sales Controlling & Commercial — a field I hadn’t originally considered. A few days later, HR called with some initial questions, and I was invited to a first interview with the team. Shortly after, I had a second interview with the department manager. To my surprise, I received an offer the next day, which I accepted. From application to offer, the whole process took less than a week — much faster than other companies, where I had waited three weeks only to receive rejections.

Preparation

The preparation was intense and in a short period of time with lots of documentation needed for all parties involved: Health insurance, agreements between HOST and Bosch, learning agreement, contract, mandatory internship form etc. There was plenty of paperwork for the Ausländerbehörde as a non-EU citizen. I am required to renew my student permit annually, to which I had prepared in advance and was only waiting for them to begin the process. Despite having sent in the paperwork around 2, 3 months in advance, there were still delays on their part which forced me to begin my internship before getting confirmation of documents being processed. 

Finding Accommodation 

Apartment hunting in Brussels is not easy and often feels like a critically acclaimed Netflix drama. Shared flats, or kots, are most common, and demand is high with many scams. Useful platforms include Immoweb, Housing Anywhere, and Facebook groups. I was lucky to find my apartment through a friend, which made the process much smoother. Housing is quite expensive, ranging from roughly €460–€800/month, usually including utilities like heating and internet — though some listings may charge extra if heating exceeds a certain limit, so it’s important to check.

Daily Life and Infrastructure

Life in Brussels was a charming mix of efficiency and chaos, with always something happening — from free museum visits on the first Sunday of the month to street festivals, weekends were never boring. Public transport covered most areas, though it wasn’t always punctual. Cycling looked heroic rather than practical (traffic rules seemed more like friendly suggestions), which is why I chose to never cycle there. Grocery shopping was familiar but slightly more expensive than in Germany. Unlike Germany’s quiet Sundays, Brussels was alive with markets, cafés, and flea markets offering trinkets and vintage clothes at reasonable prices. 

Culture and Language 

No massive culture shock, but a lot of small, quirky surprises. The beer glass rule was my favourite discovery: in Belgium, every beer has its own glass. Accidentally serving a Trappist beer in the wrong one is basically a crime. Pedestrian life was another eye-opener since drivers in Brussels keep you on your toes, the drivers are very... enthusiastic, so even on the crossing, be attentive. A big highlight for me was the fries! In Germany, fries are a side dish, In Belgium, they are a way of life, complete with their own shops (friteries) and sauces with names I couldn’t even pronounce at first, mayonnaise however will always be my go-to. The waffles were always the best with a plethora of topping options (some places offer gluten free and vegan options). 

Language was the final twist. While Germany sticks to German (and maybe some English in Berlin), Brussels is linguistic gymnastics. Conversations jumped between French, Dutch, and English in a single sentence. Impressive, confusing, and inspiring all at once. The German language skills helped a little with trying to understand Dutch, but all you need is English. 

Leisure & Environment

Weekends were made for exploring. Belgium’s compact size meant I could reach Ghent, Antwerp, or Bruges in about an hour — perfect for day trips. Making friends was surprisingly easy thanks to several WhatsApp groups dedicated to hangouts and weekly cultural events. Brussels itself was always buzzing, with festivals, food trucks, street markets, and open-air concerts adding constant energy to the city. Compared to Germany, Sundays felt far from silent — parks and cafés were full of people, giving the city a lively atmosphere even when some stores were closed.

Internship & Work

At Bosch I was part of the Logistics, Sales Controlling and Commercial team and we handled all communication between Bosch and their biggest customer which is Toyota. My tasks ranged from creating Qaulity Claims in the SAP system, managing changes made on Bosch parts for Toyota and distributing documents to the necessary project managers, and communicating with the appropriate Bosch plants across Europe. Professionally, I left with stronger analytical skills, hands on experience of Logistics management, and a whole new comfort level in multicultural teamwork. What surprised me most was the relaxed atmosphere, informal communication and international colleagues. The best part about my internship was being asked to extend another 6 months and this allowed me to work from home 50% of the time which was such a blessing for those days you can’t get out of bed in time for the bus. 

Conclusion

My internship in Belgium was the perfect mix of professional growth and cultural adventure. I didn’t experience a big “culture shock,” but I did collect countless small moments that made the stay memorable: watching friends drinking beer from the right glass, singing at karaoke bars, going to museums and open-air festivals or simply crossing the street without waiting forever.

My advice is to start the search early, be patient, be prepared for rejection and don’t give up but and most importantly when you get there, travel! Money comes back but this time you have won’t! I came back not only with new skills and international contacts but also with a storybook of little experiences that made me see Europe differently. For anyone considering Belgium, Brussels to be exact: go! It’s chaotic, delicious, and unforgettable, no regrets whatsoever. All the best. You got this!