Written by Tim Taake
What happens when you swap your own office for a job in a Slovakian digital agency for four weeks in the middle of your training?
I knew that this internship at Visibility in Bratislava would help me advance professionally. What I didn’t expect was how much this time also shaped me personally. New language, new city, new team – and all in a completely different working environment.
In this text, I would like to share what I have experienced, learned and brought back with me. It’s not a travelogue, but an honest look at what becomes possible when you leave your comfort zone – and find open doors.
How it came about
I found out about the Erasmus+ program through my vocational school LEBK-Münster – and that we have access to agencies all over Europe as part of the Community International network. My boss suggested I contact Visibility in Bratislava. Shortly afterwards, I got in touch with Juraj Sasko, one of the agency owners, and my internship was soon confirmed.
I was excited, curious and, to be honest, a little nervous. A new city, a new team, a different language. But that’s exactly why I wanted to do it.
My start at Visibility
When I entered the office for the first time, I was immediately impressed. Large, open, modern – you can immediately feel that people think and work digitally here.
The team was diverse, open and very welcoming right from the start. Everyone spoke good English, was helpful and showed a genuine interest in me and what I bring to the table. I wasn’t seen as a traditional intern, but as someone who was actively involved. And if there was a language barrier, hands and feet, a quick sketch on the whiteboard or simply the shared job and shared interests often helped.
My tasks – in the thick of it instead of just being there
I was involved in projects right from the start: Customer appointments, media plans, campaigns and my own ideas were expressly requested.
The professional exchange on the use of AI was particularly exciting. For both Visibility and husare, AI is an integral part of
have long been part of everyday working life. The tools used differ to some extent, as do the strategic approaches – which is precisely what made the comparison so interesting. We spoke openly about applications, experiences and lessons learned. For me, that was real added value: practical, concrete and at eye level.
A personal highlight was the joint agency breakfast with German and Slovakian specialties. I was able to give a short presentation about husare & me – the team’s interest was palpable and made me particularly happy. Here, too, I realized that I wasn’t just there, but right in the middle of it.
And after work?
After work, things often continued. Colleagues invited me to play soccer or asked if I would like to join them on a bike ride. These joint activities helped me to quickly make friends in the team.
The HC Slovan Bratislava ice hockey game was a special experience. The atmosphere in the stadium was impressive and it was exciting to experience a piece of local sports culture first-hand.
At the weekends, I took advantage of Bratislava’s central location to explore the city itself and also take trips to Vienna and Budapest. Two completely different cities, both within easy reach, both full of new impressions.
What I took with me
During these four weeks, I learned an enormous amount professionally. Above all, how agency work functions in another country: how it is planned, presented and organized.
Visibility is located in the heart of Bratislava, surrounded by start-ups, tech companies and international brands. This environment shapes the pace and openness of the collaboration and was clearly noticeable in the day-to-day work.
At the same time, Visibility has a strong home office culture. This made the use of time in the office all the more conscious. I was on site every day, especially when colleagues came into the office, the focus was on personal interaction. Whether at the coffee machine, over lunch together or in spontaneous table football and table tennis matches: communication worked wherever people met. And that’s exactly what impressed me in a working world that is becoming increasingly digital and efficiency-driven, this direct contact often makes all the difference.
I have also grown personally. I have learned to find my way in new situations and to remain flexible. This experience has boosted my self-confidence and shown me how to do this: Those who embrace new things gain perspectives and security at the same time.
Thank you, Visibility
I am very grateful that I was given this opportunity. My special thanks go to Juraj Sasko, who made the internship possible in the first place, and Yana Trotska, who accompanied and supported me on site.
A big thank you also goes to the entire Visibility team – to all the people who made this experience so special for me.
My conclusion
This internship was a real step out of my everyday life & into a new way of thinking. I came back with a rucksack full of experiences: Ideas, inspiration and the knowledge that international cooperation is more than a Zoom call with subtitles.
It was actually my second Erasmus internship, which is why I can say that the placement at Visibility was a perfect fit for me. Professionally, personally and culturally, everything was just right. The tasks, the environment and the team not only opened up new perspectives for me, but also showed me how much potential there is in genuine European cooperation.
At husare, I get the chance to take advantage of such opportunities, which is exactly what makes the training here so special.
So if you’re thinking about whether such a path would be exciting for you too: go for it. It’s worth it.
Tim Taake – CONSULTING ASSISTANT, HUSARE
“Perspective instead of tunnel vision.” Tim thinks brand management in European terms.
His Erasmus internship at Visibility in Bratislava brings fresh insights from the Community International network directly into our client work, for communication with vision and impact.