How did you end up in Amsterdam?
“After high school, I wanted to continue my studies in an English-language program. But if you want to do that in Germany, you have to go to an expensive private school. When I met some Dutch people while travelling in New Zeeland, they told me that in the Netherlands many university programs are in English. So I came here four years ago, to Amsterdam where I studied International Business Management. I still have to finish my thesis, and then I’m done.”

And how did you end up at Tricycle?
“I was approached in September by a Recruitment agency. Tricycle was looking for a German native speaker who also speaks English. At the time, a number of people were hired: two for Germany, two for Japan and two for France.”

Do you miss your hometown?
“No, not the city, but I do miss my mother and sister. I see them about twice a year.”

What do you most enjoy about your work?
“The team, the atmosphere. The job itself has been very busy lately. At the end of 2016, it was a madhouse, with a lot of projects that had to be finished up. Everyone worked really hard and put in a lot of overtime. And most of the time, everyone managed to stay very positive and to help each other out. That forms a bond. Now the CEO’s have hired three more people: they saw that we were short-handed. Our work does not go overlooked.”

At home or in the office?
“I like working in the office so that I stay informed about everything and can easily ask a question or share something. Sometimes I work at home, and that’s nice too of course, but then communication is more difficult sometimes.”

Difference between the working atmosphere in Germany and the Netherlands?
She laughs: “I actually never worked in Germany, but when I tell my German friends how informal the atmosphere is here and that we address our bosses with their first names, their jaws drop. That really isn’t done at (most) companies in Germany. The atmosphere there is much more formal.”

What are your goals?
“Big things! My Business studies are very practical and come in handy in everything that I want, but it’s not enough. I want to contribute something. There is a program for ‘conflict resolution and mediation’ in Israel. There are only 30 spots there. I’ve been admitted, but the problem is that it is very expensive. So I need a scholarship, and I am working on that. That’s quite difficult, a whole drama. There is a similar program in Utrecht, but I would rather learn in a place where I can immediately gain practical experience.”

What is your tip for people who want to contribute something?
“That everyone can do something, donate, organize events for charity, create small initiatives in the neighborhood. I know companies that do activities with poor children one day a year. If you want something to change, there are plenty of possibilities. You can also do something in business: social entrepreneurships, for example. Everyone can do something, even if it is only small. It cuts both ways: you help others, and you get a good feeling from it. As a company, you can also organize things under the banner of team building. For example, the other day Franziska, a girl from the office, suggested to participate with the whole office in a marathon from Rotterdam to The Hague which is supposed to draw attention to the suffering of refugees. I really loved this idea! That is good for your team spirit, and you contribute something. We can achieve so much together.”