Our trainees pack their bags and immerse themselves in international projects – right in the heart of Barcelona, Xiamen, or Grand Rapids. Whether it's cultural highlights, new ways of working, or unforgettable experiences – five months abroad bring inspiration, growth, and lots of stories for the future.
2025-12-03
“The concept of “siesta” was completely new to me. But during the summer months, I quickly understood why it exists — it’s simply too hot to be outside in the afternoon. The city really comes alive after 8 p.m., and people stay out until midnight”, says Melanie about the daily life in spain.
I am currently based in Pallejà, at the Linde office just outside Barcelona. I’m living in the city center near the Sagrada Família together with another trainee, Hannah Franke. Every morning, we take the company shuttle to the office, where we also meet colleagues from different departments.
During my rotation, I supported the planning and design of the logistics area in the new Barcelona warehouse (“New Home Barcelona”) and contributed to the Last Mile project for Iberia, which aims to strategically improve both external and internal logistics processes. Beyond that, I worked with the local operations team to develop new reports and analyze existing processes through value stream mapping in collaboration with the teams in Linde Madrid, Linde Gavà and STILL L’Hospitalet. I also participated in the Linde Roadshow and helped with the event setup.
At work, one of my favorite experiences was getting to know the teams across the different delegations and collaborating closely with the Urban Logistics team. These exchanges gave me a much deeper understanding of how the business works across regions.
In Spain, I’ve been fascinated by the incredible hospitality and the sheer variety of activities Barcelona offers — from comedy clubs and hikes to meeting expats, dancing in the park, sailing, or simply relaxing by the beach. You truly have everything in one place.
This experience has made me much more aware and observant of the differences we encounter when working across regions. It reminded me how important it is to stay curious, ask questions, and actively seek to understand different perspectives.
It’s an incredible opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. An international rotation strengthens global collaboration and gives you a true end-to-end understanding of the business — especially in supply chain, where this perspective is so important. It’s an intense experience, but absolutely worth it.
My international experience was filled with amazing colleagues, exciting projects and lots of sunshine — thank you, KION Group!
In his international rotation Ishan is based in Xiamen, China. In his daily work, he supports the team on topics related to battery state of health in the APAC region. He also helps facilitate clear communication between APAC and EMEA by contributing to cross-regional meetings. In addition, he supports various local initiatives, such as English business workshops with HR and the creation of product videos for the marketing team.
At work, one of my favorite experiences was participating in CeMAT. It gave me the opportunity to engage with customers, dealers and colleagues, and to see firsthand how our solutions are presented in the APAC market.
In China, my personal highlight was visiting the Great Wall — an unforgettable experience and a true cultural moment.
Absolutely. My “oh” moment came when I understood why everything moves so quickly in China. The country has experienced extraordinary market growth over the past decades, and this has shaped a mindset where seizing opportunities fast is more important than overanalyzing solutions. It was fascinating to see how this pace influences daily work.
For me, the international rotation was the highlight of the traineeship. Gaining insight into our APAC operations was incredibly valuable and helped me understand diverse market perspectives. It also showed me new approaches, priorities and requirements for running successful projects.
Overall, spending part of the traineeship abroad provides a holistic view of KION’s global strategy and is a truly transformative learning opportunity.
There’s no single right way to do things — understanding what works best in each context is what truly makes the difference.
Experiencing Dematic technologies up close and discovering the cultural diversity of cities like San Francisco and New York gave Pranav a deeper understanding of KION’s business and of life across the U.S.
I am currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I support the IAS NA team in preparing for Hypercare — the three-month phase following the Go-Live of the Business Transformation project. Having worked closely with our IT and Business Transformation colleagues in Frankfurt, I can act as a bridge between the teams in Europe and North America, helping local colleagues get ready for the upcoming transition.
Definitely. Before coming to the U.S., I had heard that the work culture tends to be more fast-paced than in Europe. A simple example made this very clear: in Germany, France, and Luxembourg, lunch is almost always eaten in the canteen — eating at your desk is uncommon. In my first week in the U.S., I realized that many colleagues eat at their desks while continuing to work.
It was a small but telling cultural difference that helped me understand the pace and rhythm of work here. Both approaches have their strengths — the European style encourages social connection, while the American style gives more individual flexibility and control over the workday.
Above all, this experience has taught me the importance of empathy when working with colleagues across regions. The business dynamics at Dematic differ significantly from those at Linde and STILL, and these differences influence how teams operate on a day-to-day basis.
Cross-regional collaboration can be challenging, but my biggest learning is that it’s always possible to find common ground if you take the time to understand the other side. Leading with empathy — and remembering that we are all part of One KION Group — makes all the difference.
Spending five months abroad during the management traineeship is an invaluable experience. It’s rare to gain such diverse exposure within the same company so early in your career. My time in the U.S. expanded my network and helped me connect the dots between my work in EMEA and the realities of the North American market — something that simply wouldn’t be possible through virtual collaboration alone.
An incredibly rewarding journey that became more meaningful the more I kept an open mind and embraced every opportunity to learn.
During her rotation at the Linde site in Pallejà near Barcelona, Hannah is supporting the HR team for the Iberia region. There, she is working on automating reporting and analysis processes while also gaining comprehensive insights into all central HR functions—from recruiting and talent management to payroll.
At work, one of the highlights was how quickly I felt part of the team. Everyone took the time to introduce themselves and explain their roles, which made settling in much easier. We often had lunch together, and my colleagues were incredibly supportive of my limited Spanish — always teaching me new words or translating when needed.
Another memorable moment was joining the team at the Linde Roadshow for the new E14–E20 and Xi10–Xi20 truck series. Seeing the products up close gave me a completely new appreciation of what we offer our customers.
Living in Barcelona allowed me to experience Catalan culture firsthand. Whether visiting the Sagrada Família or exploring the many museums, there was always something to do after work. My personal highlight was the Fiesta de la Mercè — a weeklong celebration filled with music, fireworks, and the iconic castellers, who form impressive human towers.
Absolutely. Life in Spain feels more relaxed, and that atmosphere carries into the workplace. It’s normal to greet colleagues with a hug and start meetings with small talk, even when schedules are packed. At first, this felt very different from what I'm used to in Germany, but I soon realized why: relationships and community are highly valued here. When people connect on a personal level, teamwork takes on a completely different — and very positive — dynamic.
I’ve learned to be more flexible and open to different ways of approaching challenges. Colleagues here often take a practical, solution-oriented approach, which helped me make decisions more confidently instead of overthinking. I also realized how important it is to adapt to different communication styles and find common ground quickly. These insights will definitely support me in future international collaborations.
It’s truly invaluable. Living and working in another country was one of the main reasons I chose the KION Trainee Program. It’s a unique chance to experience a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and see how our business works in another region. This experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m very grateful for it.
The past five months showed me how much you can grow — professionally and personally — when you step outside your comfort zone.
For Mira, moderating the opening ceremony at CeMAT ASIA 2025 and visiting the factories in Xiamen and Jinan were true highlights, giving her unique insights into KION’s products and operations. Outside of work, she loved exploring Xiamen and traveling across China — a country full of rich culture, great food, and stunning landscapes.
I am currently based in Xiamen, China, where I am involved in a variety of cross-functional projects. My work includes organizing the Business English Program for local employees, supporting recruiting activities by conducting English interviews, and facilitating workshops to foster the CTO Spirit Mindset in both Xiamen and Jinan. I also contribute to additional initiatives such as local events, workshops, and product videos. By sharing best practices, enabling knowledge exchange, and helping bridge cultural and communication differences, I aim to create meaningful value for the team.
Absolutely. I was impressed by how pragmatic and solution-oriented the work culture is. The focus is strongly on efficiency and continuous improvement — moving projects forward quickly, adapting fast, and delivering results rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Experiencing this firsthand helped me better understand why things move so quickly here.
Working in China has made me more flexible, structured, and efficient, especially when managing several projects at once. I have learned to prioritize more effectively and work with greater focus. I also truly appreciated how warmly I was welcomed — my colleagues even surprised me with a birthday party. Their hospitality made adapting to a new job and a new country much easier. This supportive spirit has inspired me to bring the same mindset to my own teamwork and collaboration.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for both personal and professional development. Being abroad exposes you to new perspectives, challenges you to grow, and helps you become a more adaptable and resourceful professional.
It’s hard to fit all these memories into one sentence — it was an amazing and unique experience, a journey of learning and personal growth that I’m deeply grateful for.
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