Andrew Humm from PKF (UK) LLP was seconded to Munich in Germany
for three months.
The secondment opportunity came up for Munich at a quiet time of
year. I saw this as an opportunity to learn new skills and enhance
my CV. I was also keen to experience a new culture and would not
have expected the opportunity to arise in a non-English speaking
country. It was only for three months and the distance was also
more accommodating for my relationship back home. Within a matter
of days I was off as I didn't want to miss a certain event at the
end of September - the Munich Oktoberfest!
On my first day, the whole of the office all went to the
Oktoberfest. If only every day could be like that! My memory of
Oktoberfest - apart from it being a bit of a blur - was amazing. It
is hard to imagine the sheer size of it. Hopefully it won't be my
last.
The city has so much to offer with its historic and beautifully
restored old town, its many parks and beer gardens. For you footy
fans, Bayern München offers the opportunity to see champion's
league football, which I duly did. With Christmas came the
world-famous Chriskindle markets, seemingly on every corner. The
Glühwein was delicious .
I even enjoyed a couple of skiing trips. Munich is ideally
located only a short drive from many resorts making it possible to
go skiing just for the day. I also managed to find time to visit
many other interesting places around Munich; Salzburg, Schloss
Neuschwanstein, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Hamburg and Sylt (maybe not
quite so close!). I just fell in love with the region and I would
go as far as saying that I'd move there if it existed in
England!
The work was unique, working with a global multi-billion pound
business, Siemens AG. In the UK this work would probably be
undertaken by one of Big Four so it was an experience I would not
be able to gain back home. I had to integrate quickly into a large
team, dealing with auditors and directors, and working to some very
time-pressured deadlines. It was hard work but hard work is
rewarding. I experienced the German culture first hand through many
new friends I made. This gave me the opportunity to see the city
and its surroundings much better than as a tourist.
My biggest regret is that I failed to master the language. To be
honest I never came close but this was never a problem and all my
German colleagues spoke excellent English."