Desirée did a traineeship at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona
Questions for Desirée Fjellman, who is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a specialization in International Business. She completed an Erasmus traineeship abroad for one semester at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona, where she was able to combine studies, international work, and networking.
Why did you want to do an internship there in particular?
In recent years, I have dreamed of working internationally, and a Swedish chamber of commerce abroad felt like a good step toward my long-term career goals. Barcelona was a natural choice since I was already familiar with the city and was also completing my exchange semester there. This allowed me to combine my studies and internship.
How did you get in contact?
I contacted the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce via email and LinkedIn.
What was your role?
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona is a relatively small organization, and I was given broad and varied responsibilities. I took part in planning and carrying out several networking and member activities, such as events with Swedish Match and IKEA. I also worked with member development and participated in board meetings and meetings related to the Chamber’s ongoing operations.
In addition, I led my own project in which I mapped differences in technological development between the Swedish and Spanish textile industries, in order to identify relevant opportunities for collaboration and trade.
What was the best part of the internship?
All the people I got to know and collaborate with! Through the Chamber of Commerce, I connected with individuals from different companies, industries, and backgrounds, which gave me a valuable network and many educational and exciting conversations. I appreciated gaining insight into how a chamber of commerce operates, where relationships and contacts are central.
It was also valuable to experience Spanish work culture. All the events were pleasant and rewarding, ranging from panel discussions on cybersecurity to events highlighting Swedish traditions, such as Christmas smorgasbord and Lucia celebrations.
What were the challenges?
One challenge was understanding and adapting to Spanish work culture, but that was also one of the main reasons I applied to the Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to gain that experience, and during the internship I learned how to navigate it.
Has the internship given you any lessons or experiences that you think will be useful in your future career, or in life in general?
Yes, absolutely! The internship gave me several concrete experiences that I see as directly useful in my future professional life. Above all, I strengthened my ability to network in professional contexts.
Spanish is the main language at the Chamber of Commerce, which gave me the opportunity to refine my language skills in a professional setting. The internship has also given me a broader understanding of work culture in a country other than Sweden and strengthened several skills that are central to an international career, which is what I aspire to.
What advice would you give to other students who want to do an internship abroad?
My main advice is to dare to do it. An internship abroad is both fun and educational! You develop quickly, gain new perspectives, and build a network that can be valuable long after the internship has ended.
