In August 2023, sports management student Loig Rius from the University of Western Brittany in Brest spent a week at the Kiel City Council. The internship, organised as part of the SEA-EU partnership between the city councils of Brest and Kiel, offered an insight into the work being done within the Kiel City Council, in particular with respect to sport management and international relations with Kiel’s partner city Brest. Here Loig talks about his experience.
How did you first hear about the opportunity to do an internship in Kiel?
In February 2023, the city of Brest organised an online event where representatives from other SEA-EU partners presented their cities. After the webinar, I got talking to Wolfgang Schmidt from the Kiel City administration and we started discussing options to come to Kiel. I studied German in school, so was interested in spending time in Germany.
What did you do during your time in Kiel?
I had the opportunity to visit and work in different departments in the Kiel City Council. I spent several days in the International Relations Department where I compiled a report on the start-up ecosystem in Brest. There my French and knowledge of Brest was a bonus! I also was given the task of approaching sport associations in Brest to initiate the process of creating partnerships with clubs in Kiel. With people from the sports department, I got to hear about their work and made several site visits. Kiel has many big teams, both professional and amateur, there is a lot going on. For example, we visited the Holstein Stadium to check safety measures for the next football match. I also went to the Olympiazentrum in Schilksee where the coordinator as well as the manager from the Deutscher Segler Verband showed me the facilities and explained how they manage events like the ORC Class World Sailing Championships taking place at the time. It was also an opportunity for me to compare facilities with that in Brest for the forthcoming Olympic games in Paris.
What impressions will you take with you?
It was wonderful to meet and talk to so many different people and gain an in-depth insight into the workings and challenges of different departments. It was nice to also be able to contribute my knowledge such as in the sustainability department. This was my first experience of working in a public authority and my first work placement abroad. I am really thankful for this opportunity.
What advice would you give others interested in such an opportunity?
Attend information events put on by the university and stay curious – you never know what opportunity and connections will materialise. Don’t be shy and always reach out to others. You don’t know what the people you meet can give you or what you can give them. Working in a multicultural environment is an opportunity to share your experience and build your career. In two words, just go.
What’s next for you?
I will do my masters in project management and sport development at Reims University. I would like to do my first year in France and then maybe do a second year abroad. Maybe in Kiel, we’ll see!
