With the return of my European adventure being in the middle of the Christmas rush, it took me some time to finally be able to sit back and actually think about my crazy adventure. Eight months ago, I received an email from the Puma HR department to inform me that I had been chosen to join the European Trade Marketing team on an internship, based in Herzo at the Puma head office in Germany.
Here I was, about to put it all out there, too travel half way across the world, to a country I knew no one, with a spoken language I did not speak. All I had was the chance of a life time to experience the global market with my favourite Sports Lifestyle brand since I was a kid.
Sitting here now makes it all seem quite surreal. Exactly one week ago I was sitting in Germany, on the eve of my long trip home, wondering where the 6 odd months I spent in Germany had actually gone. I still cannot really tell you the answer to this question.
If I look back and think of what this opportunity gave me, I have to instantly think of my first experience with the German people. It started with a German business man who guided me during his busy schedule all the way from Munich airport basically to my hotel door 200km away in the small town of Erlangen.Upon my arrival there, the German love for beer, and the festivities that go with it were instantly shown, and this was no ordinary introduction either,as my arrival coincided with 'The Berg', the oldest Beer festival in the world, which was being hosted in my town at the time.
You hear stories about the German people and their beer all over the world, but upon your first contact with it, it is really quite special. Together with this is the presence of the great respect the German people have for this age old tradition.
Apart from amazing beer festivals, great German parties, traditional sexy German outfits, and the occasional Schnitzel, I also got to experience a bit more of Europe. With Germany basically being the hub of Europe, it allowed to further my travels to both France and the Czech Republic, where I got to experience some of the top cities Europe has to offer, being Paris, Prague, as well as Berlin which was closer to home.
Then the reason I was in Germany, Puma. First off, what a company. I had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest people I have the pleasure of knowing. The atmosphere of the company is a direct representation of the brand itself. With a Fussball table in the office, Social clubs in the canteen, the greatest company parties, after hour sporting groups, and a generally great atmosphere, I must say it surpassed every expectation I had. The amount I learnt while there was extraordinary. I had the pleasure of engaging with people of all various nationalities, and I can honestly say I have left with friends all across the world.
Working as part of a European hub team allows you to see how the brand operates in various markets, and gain a better overall understanding of what Puma really is. It really is a global and environmentally conscious brand.
I lived with German students during my time there, and they really provided me with a great opportunity to understand the German people from an inside stand point. Many people share some apprehension about Germany and its people after their struggled past, and with all right so. However if you get to know Germany and its people with an open mind, you will see what a great country Germany really is. The events of decades past seem almost non existent in present day German life, and the opportunity to learn and experience the history of the country will give you chills. Upon standing next to the Berlin Wall one day, I took a few moments to myself to think of events that had happened at this very spot, and it really does blow your mind being there, a place you have been told so many stories about and where so much of spoken upon history unfolded.
Now, December 27th 2011, I am sitting at my home in Cape Town, looking back and thinking of these experiences, and it all seems some what like a fairy tale. I must tell you all reading this: Get out there, follow your dreams, and reach for the stars. I took a jump when I went I started this adventure, and when I look back now, it was some of the best months of my life, with people I will cherish forever, and memories I will think on for the rest of my life.
Puma was that brand that I had always been a fan of, but after knowing the inner workings and the passion of the people that work there, it is a brand I love. It may not be as big as adidas or Nike, but the heart and passion that goes into the items you receive surpasses anything that either of those companies will offer you.
Reach for the stars, follow your dreams. It really does pay off big if you follow them with your heart.
