Irina’s Journey to Success as an International Student at TUM

Finding a job as an international student can be very challenging. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Irina Bukovska, a student from Prague who moved to Germany and managed to secure a position at a software company. Currently studying at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Irina’s journey is inspiring and insightful. Join us as we delve into her experiences, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she used to thrive in a foreign country.

Kristýna: What inspired you to pursue your studies at TUM in Munich?

Irina: I chose to attend a German school in Prague to obtain a German high school diploma. I have been dreaming about studying at TUM since I was 11, so after high school, I wanted to move to Germany and study there.

Kristýna: Why TUM?

Irina: When I was 11, I really liked the idea of studying at a technical university as a girl, especially in mathematics. I found the perfect fit for me at TUM with the Management and Technology program. It provides a solid technical foundation but isn’t overly specialized, which was ideal for me.

Transition from Prague to Munich

Kristýna: What were the biggest challenges you faced transitioning from Prague to Munich?

Irina: Transitioning was relatively easy for me because I had my German Abitur, so I didn’t need to take any German tests or translate any credits. The main challenge was finding accommodation in Munich, but I got lucky and found a room through a friend of a friend of a friend.

Kristýna: Yeah, finding accommodation here is crazy hard. Everybody warned me about it, but I didn’t believe it until I got here.

Irina: I was fortunate in that regard. Other than that, I didn’t face much cultural shock or loneliness because the culture and mentality aren’t very different from the Czech Republic. Plus, my home is only four hours away, so it didn’t feel like moving to another country.

Kristýna: Do you go home to Prague often?

Irina: Yes, actually, I go home once every two weeks. It’s easy and cheap with Flixbus.

Working at Personio

Kristýna: Can you describe your current role at Personio? 

Irina: I work in the Customer Experience department, specifically in customer content education. We create educational content for Personio’s customers, manage the YouTube channel, and update videos as the software changes. We also organize and shoot video courses, take pictures at events, and edit videos and thumbnails.

Kristýna: What does your day usually look like?

Irina: As a working student, I work 20 hours a week, typically on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Personio is quite flexible; I can work from home or even from other countries for up to 40 days. However, I usually prefer going to the office because I enjoy the vibe there. I usually arrive around 8 a.m. and finish at 4 p.m., handling tasks like creating videos for different departments or assisting with camera work and editing.

Advice for international students

Kristýna: What advice would you give to other international students considering a career in a foreign country?

Irina: Knowing the local language is definitely an advantage. In Germany, for example, it helps build trust and social networks, which can be crucial for finding a job. English is also important, especially for my work, as our main communication language is English. It’s essential to have a well-prepared CV and a complete LinkedIn profile.

Kristýna: Thank you, that’s great advice. What about your future career goals?

Irina: I don’t think I’ll go back to Prague to live and work. Once you leave, you don’t really want to return because the opportunities for students in Germany are much better. The concept of working students doesn’t exist in Prague, but it’s very beneficial for development here in Germany. 

I’m still unsure about pursuing a master’s degree, but if I do, it probably won’t be in Munich. I’m considering studying in Switzerland at a technical university there, possibly working part-time while earning my degree. That would be ideal for me.

Irina’s journey from Prague to Munich and her success at Personio serve as an inspiration to international students. Her story highlights the importance of preparation, language skills, and the ability to leverage social networks. I hope her experiences and advice will motivate and guide other international students on their paths to success.