Read this interview to get an inside view of Phatsimo’s 3 years as an international student. Find out about:
- Her exciting internship at a large sportswear company.
- Failing exams. And bouncing back.
- Her next steps. To stay in Europe. Or not?
And, get Phatsimo’s advice for you! After completing the journey, she has plenty of wisdom to share on how to make the best of your time as an international student.
Congratulations on your graduation! Does it feel like 3 years since you started?
I’m super happy and proud that I could celebrate with my Mum who flew over from Botswana. And I only got the results of my company project a few days ago so it was quite tense. Does it feel like 3 years? Yes! The first year seemed to go by quite slowly but since then it has sped up! This last year has literally flown by.
What have been the standout moments of your 3 years at KdG?
The 1st year was really just about finding my feet. Everything is new so there’s a mixture of excitement and discovery, and homesickness adapting to living on your own. I chose not to get a student job in the first year while I figured everything out, so the focus was on doing well in my exams.
In the 2nd year I started to explore Europe more with the extra pocket money from my first student job. I visited Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK. In the summer I managed to get an administrative position at a consulting firm in Brussels, and that was really cool because I got to meet new people and get proper work experience.
In my studies, a real key point was actually failing a few exams. It was a real shock for me but then also a growth moment. I’ve always been a high achiever and so to fail at something was new for me. But you know what… everything was OK. The world didn’t implode!
The highlights of my 3rd year have been my exchange: I did a semester in Amsterdam which I loved because I got to experience a whole new international environment and make new friends. And my internship at a big sportswear company. This year I’ve also really grown my network. It’s something that I focused on a lot starting in the first year. It helped me get my internship and my consultancy job. I’ve started not only to feel ready for professional life but I’ve noticed a shift in my perspective.
What key skills have you developed as a Global Supply Chain Management student?
- People skills have been a consistent theme throughout all the courses. After all, business revolves around people.
- Learning to work in cross-cultural teams.
- Analytical skills. Learning how to use Excel and Power BI has been super useful.
- Critical thinking is also very important. It’s one you have to keep developing as well
What have your biggest challenges been as an international student?
Coming from outside the EEA, the issue of my resident permit has been a bit frustrating at times. I think it’s a challenge for lots of internationals, even those with full time jobs.
The pressure of finding an internship was stressful. In the end it worked out but I applied to 14 companies and only heard from 5. In that way I suppose it’s also good preparation for job hunting for real. And now I can look back and say: I did it.
Tell us about your internship?
I did my internship at the European Logistics Centre of a sportswear company in Laakdal which is about 20k from Antwerp. It’s an enormous campus. At first I didn’t get taken on! They told me that their internships were already filled, but then later they got back in touch to say that a spot had come available. That’s how it goes sometimes. I had already met one of the University Relations team members at a networking event with Omek (a networking community for Africans of bicultural descent and allies) so it was lovely to see them again!
And what was your role there?
I worked on the sustainability team where I did a lot of data visualisation and analysis. I got involved with three projects: one on the amount of air shipped in outbound orders; another on the accuracy of clothing measurements; and one on the end of life journey of unsold products.
It’s been a great way of experiencing the real world of supply chain management and it has broadened my perspectives. I’ve learnt a lot from the Sustainability Managers and I’ve met many lovely people. They have a very welcoming international culture.
What advice would you give to new students?
- Be proactive. The more you put in the more you’ll get from the experience.
- Stay open-minded. Leave your preconceptions at home. Don’t just seek out people who are exactly like you. Use it as an opportunity to broaden your outlook. I also realized that there are always connections between people from different countries, even if it’s the same song that you used to like when growing up!
- I think if you stay tuned in to yourself and what’s happening around you it will make you see the person you want to be.
What jobhunting tips would you offer from your experience?
- Make a list of companies that interest you and sign up for their newsletters.
- Network – I got my student job this way. I’ve attended a number of in-person networking events. Don’t be afraid to do this alone also.
- Be active on LinkedIn but don’t rely too heavily on it for job searches. Like any form of social media the algorithms are not necessarily perfect for you, so you might not get to see the most interesting opportunities.
- Join communities that you identify with, I joined AWISCA (African women in Supply chain Association); Omek (for Africans of bicultural descent and allies); ASATT (A Seat At The Table); and others…
- Speak with your family and friends. They know you best.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to any professional network contacts you have. Most of them will want to help you!
What’s next for you?
I’ve been applying for jobs with companies that have international opportunities across different departments and regions so that I can discover where I best fit. I may start working in Europe but I don’t feel tied to Belgium, or Europe. Ultimately I want to be closer to home again. Closer to my family.
I’m not exactly the same person as I was 3 years ago. In terms of my interests I’ve become more interested in psychology and philosophy – something on a deeper, more personal level rather than my original ideas about just going into business. I’d like to eventually find work with an NGO or in social impact in international organisations. But I know that the skills I’ve learnt during my studies will help me with this. You’re not just trained to work in the corporate world.
You can cross boundaries when you have completed an international degree not only because of the skills you’ve attained, but because of your holistic experience. I feel that having a bicultural identity brings extra adaptability.
I know that the skills I’ve learnt during my studies will help me with this.