The document provides an itinerary and overview of activities for a group of German apprentices on an internship exchange program in Poland and Croatia from March 16-27, 2015. Each day includes travel to locations in Warsaw and Zagreb where the group learned about the host countries' economies, industries, cultures and education systems through presentations and workshops at organizations like the Polish Information Agency, German Embassy, energy institutes, and Chambers of Commerce. The itinerary also includes cultural activities like city tours and rallies in Warsaw and Zagreb.

1. PROJECT AZUBI- EUROPA
Internship Calendary
Poland/ Croatia (Warsaw/ Zagreb)
16.03.2015 - 27.03.2015
by Jessica Nöchel
apprenticeship: management assistent in
wholesale and foreign trade
training company: meineBÄKO e.G
Das Projekt wird gefördert aus Mitteln des Europäischen Sozialfonds und des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt.

2. OVERVIEW
 DAY 1: Travel to Warsaw
 DAY 2: Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency/
German Embassy
 DAY 3: Workshop/ Facts about the republic of Poland/ MD Clinic
 DAY 4: Instytut Energetyki/ Workshop about Intercultural
Communication
 DAY 5: City- Rally
 DAY 6: Travel to Zagreb
 DAY 7: Workshop /Facts about the republic of Croatia/ City- Rally
 DAY 8: HAMAG Invest
 DAY 9: AHK- Croatia/ HRID Ltd. Organization for Technology
Development and Application
 DAY 10: Goethe- Institut/ Upravna škola Zagreb
 DAY 11: Prva ekonomska škola Zagreb
 DAY 12: Travel to Germany
 Conclusion
 Sources

3. DAY 1: TRAVEL TO WARSAW
On Monday, the 16th of March,
our group of 16 trainees, the
project manager Ms. Kaufhold
and her assistent Mr. Dargatz,
travelled to Warsaw by train.
We met at 7:30 a.m. and took
the first train to Berlin at 8:03
a.m. In Berlin, we had to
change. Because of a
turbulance, our arrival in
Warsaw was much later. We
were so happy, as we reached
the hotel Novotel Centrum to
check in.
"Auf Wiedersehen,
Deutschland!"
"Dzień dobry, Polska!"

4. DAY 2: POLISH INFORMATION AND
FOREIGN INVESTMENT AGENCY
The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency is
responsible for foreign companies, who want to invest in
Poland. The presenter of the agency Łukasz Leśniewski told
us, that Poland has competitive advantages because of the
potential growing economy, labour and support. The
location of Poland is positioned in the center of Europe, so
Poland is a valuable Partner for Ex- and Import in different
sectors like Automotive, Food Industry, etc. Since 2013
there are approximately 6230 German companies in Poland.

5. DAY 2: GERMAN EMBASSY
The German embassy of Warsaw
prepresents the federal government
in Germany. There are working 110
employees and diplomats in several
departments like policy, economy,
press and public, labour and social
affairs, business services, culture, law
and consulate, science and research,
military, management and last but
not least the department for language
services. 2,3 mio. people in Poland
learn German. The speaker of
economy Mr. Rehm also told us a lot
about the German- Polish relationship
in different areas and the exchange of
labors and products like machines,
electrical and vehicles. The most
foreign turnover, Poland gets from
Germany.

6. DAY 3: WORKSHOP
In this workshop we learned something about business English
and business etiquette in Poland. Hospitality is very important for
them, so they will do everything, that the business partner will
feel well. In a meeting they often talk about private things, like
family and hobbies. That´s why you, as a business partner, have
to plan with more time because they don´t like to be rushed. In
contrast to Germany, those business meetings are a bit
unstructured and it seems that there is no target in front of eyes.
In that case you have to be patient, spontaneous, creative and
emotional. The intention of Polish business partners is to get to
know you better, particulary while business lunches and dinners.

7. DAY 3: FACTS ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF
POLAND
area: 312.678 km²
capital: Warsaw (1,7
Mio. inhabitants)
inhabitants: 38,1 Mio.
(96,74% Polish)
minorities: German
0,4%, White russians
0,13%, Ukrainian
0,08%, Russians and
Lithuanian 0,02%
unemployment rate:
11,7%
language: Polish
(recognized regional
language: Kashubian)
currency: 1€ ≈ 4,2
Złoty (1 Złoty = 100
Groszy)
independence: 1918
member of EU: since
2004
neighboring countries:
Russia, Lithuania,
Belarus, Ukraine,
Slovakia, Czech
Republic, Germany
main trading
partners: Germany,
Russia, Czech
republic, Netherlands
some leading
industries: chemical
industry, food
industry, metal
industry

8. DAY 3: MD CLINIC
In the MD Clinic, our group
learned something about the
health sector in Poland. First Mr.
Mitek welcomed us. He showed us
every single room in the Clinic. In
his presentation he told us
something about the range,
quality, availability and the ease
of getting service, which is close
to the customer. For example
they offer ambulant care,
consults, diagnostics and medical
professionals. MD Clinic is also a
nice place to work for doctors,
because they have flexibility and
the support of the Clinic to put
their names in the best light. Mr.
Mitek assured us, that doctors
have everything.

9. DAY 4: INSTYTUT ENERGETYKI
The institute of Power Engineering (IEn) is state-owned. It was
founded in 1953 and it is one of the biggest institutesin Poland.
There are working 500 employees. IEn is involved in modern
technology. Fuel cells and clean technologies are explored in
different laboraties. This institute is also working on researches of
economy, activities on energy sector and they are preparing new
projects for 2020 with partners from Europe. After the
presentation we had the possibility to see, how they tested a
high- voltage line. It was very imressive.

10. DAY 4: WORKSHOP ABOUT
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Mr. Dargatz has teached us intercultural
communication. We learned many facts about
our own culture and the culture in different
countries. Also how our culture influences on
family, education, society and religion. This
influences are very important in our
development. Intercultural communication
takes place, when two persons of different
countries meet each other. It´s not
advantageous to have stereotypes. Show of
hands also can have different meanings, so it
is better to inform yourself about another
country. In addition we played a roleplaying,
which fits to the theme, while Mr. Dargatz has
filmed us.

11. DAY 5: CITY- RALLY
Palace of culture and
science
National Stadium
Popes´Cross
The mermaid Statue
Frederyk- Chopin-
Museum
The palm

12. DAY 6: TRAVEL TO ZAGREB
On Saturday, the 21st of March, our group travelled to Zagreb by
a very small plane with propellers on each side. For some of us it
was the first time to fly. It was very exciting. After landing in
Zagreb, we drove to our hotel, named Hotel Palace, by bus.
"Do widzenia, Polska!"
"Dobar dan, Hrvatska!"

13. DAY 7: WORKSHOP
In this workshop we talked about
the vocational education and
training in Central and Eastern
European Countries (CEEC´s). In
this countries, there is no dual
system . Young people only learn in
vocational school. In summer, they
do an internship in companies which
will be selected from school. They
also do not receive much money
and often they receive no money at
all. Certificates are not highly
regarded, so people prefer to study
and go abroad, because they hope
to earn more money somewhere
else. This is called "Brain- Drain".
For the economy it will be good, if
they come back.

14. DAY 7: FACTS ABOUT THE REPUBLIK OF
CROATIA
area: 56.600 km²
(1246 isles)
capital: Zagreb
(780.000 inhabitants
with suburbia
aproximately 1 Mio.)
inhabitants: 4,3 Mio.
(90% Croats)
minorities: Serbs 4%,
6%: Bosnians,
Italians, Czechs,
Slovaks
unemployment rate:
20%
language: Croatian
currency: 1€ ≈ 7,64
Kuna (1Kn = 100 lipa)
independence: since
25th of June 1991
member of EU: since
1st of July 2013
neighboring countries:
Hungary, Slovenia,
Serbia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina,
Montenegro
main trading
partners: Germany,
Poland, Austria,
Russia, Slovenia,
Turkey
some leading
industries: tourism
industry, textile
industry, food industry

15. DAY 7: CITY- RALLY
Cathedral of
Zagreb
King Tomislav
Square
Marulić Square
Petar
Preradović
Square
Ban Josip
Jelačić
Square

16. DAY 8: HAMAG INVEST
HAMAG BICRO is a croatian agency for micro, small and medium-
sized enterprises (SME´s), Innovations and Investments, which is
established by the government of the Republic of Croatia. It is an
independent institution under the supervision of Ministry of
Entrepreneurship and Crafts. There are working 98 employees to
provide micro loans for start ups, issuing guarantees for bank
credits to SME´s, support the development of SME´s and to create
a positive image of Croatia.

17. DAY 9: AHK- CROATIA
AHK- Croatia has 360 members,
most of them are Croatian. There
are 130 offices worldwide. German
companies, who wants to open a
branch in Croatia will be supported
in questions how to enter in the
market. Frequent themes are law,
taxes, human resources and
location. Potential sectors in
Croatia are energy (hydro power,
wind power, solar power), food
industry and tourism industry. 25%
of GDP is achieved by tourism. The
marketing department organised
events, e.g. seminars, to establish
contacts. AHK- Croatia is financed
by its members and the Federal
ministry of economics from
Germany.
AHK- Croatia is not compareable
with the Chamber of Commerce in
Germany, because they don´t get in
touch with trainees, vocational
school and training company to
advise them but they will try to
introduce a dual system soon for
retailers. They will receive 200€ at
the beginning.

18. DAY 9: HRID LTD. ORGANIZATION FOR
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION
First of all, it was complicated,
because we didn´t know, that
HRID has moved. But this was no
problem. With 3 cars, they drove
us to the actual location. This
organization was foundet 2002 in
Zagreb. HRID is specialized in
performing nondestructive
testing, design and
manufacturing, inspection
systems, software development
and qualification and certification
of personnel engeneering. There
are working aproximately 26
employees. In addition of the
presentation, we were allowed to
see the very technical
constructions.

19. DAY 10: GOETHE- INSTITUT
Goethe- Institut is not an organization
by government but an initiative of
some German teachers in 1951. They
wanted to convey the German culture
and language in form of supporting
events, cooperation with schools and
education. Today, there are 159
locations worldwide, 149 institutions in
93 countries and 13 institutions in
Germany. There are working 3000
employees overall. In Germany, there
are working 700 employees. It was a
very pleasant presentation because of
the atmosphere and they were talking
in German. Of course we passed the
little test of German language
successfully. ;-)

20. DAY 10: UPRAVNA ŠKOLA ZAGREB
This school is a vocational school of
administration. They showed us the
department for fashion and design and
presented their school system in German. Here
are some facts:
 Elementary school: from age 6/7 (it lasts 8
years)
 Middle school consists of high school and
junior high school
 high school: classic, linguistic and
mathematic/ it lasts 4 years/ 17 subjects
 junior high school: technical and
administration (it lasts 4 years), vocational
and industry (for 3 years) and medicin (it
lasts 5 years)
 After second class: praxis in company/ 40
hours a week/ without payment
 After high school graduation: study at the
University (it lasts 5 years)
Next we presented our school system also in
German. It was very interesting to compare.

21. DAY 11: PRVA EKONOMSKA ŠKOLA
ZAGREB
Unbelievable! 200 pupils welcomed us
with a big applouse. In a short film
about Zagreb they showed us all the
beautiful places and sights of the city.
This time all presentations were on
english and because of the audience,
we were very excited. While touring
through the school, we became very
familiar. One girl, who was a member of
the tv-show Croatian Xfactor, even sang
for us. Later we decided to make a
sightseeing tour with our new croatian
friends.
This was our last day in Croatia, so we
also had to write a little test about
everything we have learned in this two
weeks.

22. DAY 12: TRAVEL TO GERMANY
It is a pity, that these days are passing so far. Nevertheless we
were looking forward to home. First we drove by bus to the
airport. With the first plane we flew to Stuttgart and with the
second one to Leipzig. Everyone was happy to see their family.
Before we went home, our project manager, Mrs. Kaufhold, and
her assistent, Mr. Dargatz, informed us about the results of the
test and said goodbye to us.
"Do viđenja, Hrvatska!"
"Guten Tag, Deutschland!"

23. CONCLUSION
I am very grateful for the possibility to take
part on the project "Azubi- Europa". It was a
new experience for me to get to know other
countries and their culture. It was also very
interesting to compare these countries with
Germany in relation to business etiquette and
economic situation. With the certification of
this project, it is a good chance and a new
open door for the future. I improved my
english and met new croatian people, with
whom I am still in contact.

24. SOURCES
 presentation of Polish Information and Foreign
Investment agency
 presentations and photos of the project
 own collected material (flyer, notes, photos)
 http://mdclinic.pl/en/
 https://ien.com.pl/
 www.hamaginvest.hr