I obtained my Master’s in Economical Sciences in September 2011 at a small Belgian university. After I graduated, I wanted to gain more experience besides just student jobs. So I subscribed and had the opportunity to go abroad and do an internship in the United States. I already visited some cities in the U.S. with friends and I always had such a blast.
I wanted to do an internship in retail and Nicholas Enterprises Inc., Westlake Village (California), was the perfect match. It distributed alcoholic beverages (Cotton Candy Liqueur & Chimayo Tequila) all over the U.S. My boss, Nick, was great and he gave me such good advice. I did research of the West-European Spirits Market. Besides gaining more work experience as a just graduated, I have developed even more social skills. Thanks to my lovely host family (Fred & Janice and their family), I have never met such nice people who are so rich in love. Beside my host family I have met, thanks to the organization, different interns and au pairs from all different parts of the world.
I regret one thing from this life-time experience, that I just stayed for very shot period. I would go back immediately and do it all over again.
But in January 2012 I received the best job offer I could imagine. Now I work for a big Belgian/International retail company: Delhaize. My working career has started; I am now the corporate support specialist for the alcoholic spirits, champagnes & sparklings that are being sold in more than 600 supermarkets. Why did they call me for this job? Just because I had a passion for retail and did this foreign internship at a distributor of alcoholic spirits, I think. And maybe one day, the products I worked with in the U.S. you could buy them in Belgium too.
Thank you CHI (and Belgian partner WEP) and special thanks to Nick, Dee, Zach, Fred & Janice & family.
See you soon!
Warm regards, Pieter
