Which city and department are you from, and how long did your experience last?
I am part of the Employment Advisory department at the Barcelona office, and my experience lasted three weeks.
What was it like working at a Baker Tilly office in another country?
It has been a very enriching experience to see first-hand how an Employment Advisory department operates in another European country. For me, having the entire team working from the office was particularly positive, as it allowed me to get to know them better and see how they work together. What I value most is everything I have learned about employment advisory in Italy. We also had the opportunity to compare employment-related matters in both countries, such as the TFR (Trattamento di Fine Rapporto), a form of severance payment that does not exist in Spain, which made the experience even more interesting.
What motivated you to take part in this experience?
I have been speaking Italian for a few years, and this experience seemed like the perfect opportunity to improve my language skills and learn to communicate professionally in a language that is not my own. I was also very curious to see first-hand how a department within our firm operates in another country. On a personal level, I had never lived outside Spain, so it was both a personal and professional opportunity that I could not pass up.
What was your stay like? How did the team welcome you? Which places did you have the opportunity to visit?
From the very first day, I felt like part of the team. As soon as I arrived, a colleague offered me a coffee, and I asked for it with milk, which is quite unusual here, as most people drink it black. He laughed and jokingly told me that we Spaniards were very "fussy" and made coffee far too complicated. That first interaction set the tone for a very friendly and fun atmosphere. Almost every day, someone from the team would also bring something to snack on, especially traditional Genoese food such as focaccia, pandolce or chiffero, so the experience was also enriching from a culinary perspective.
As for Genoa, I made the most of my time exploring the city, from the area around the office to the caruggi, the narrow streets of the historic centre, discovering its hidden corners and local cuisine. I also had the chance to visit the Riviera and explore Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. I will also take home memories of some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets of my life, with the sea taking centre stage.
What would you highlight about this experience? Would you encourage your colleagues to take advantage of these international mobility opportunities?
Above all, I would highlight the learning experience, both professionally and personally. Sharing my day-to-day routine with my colleagues allowed me to improve my professional Italian, discover a different approach to employment advisory and experience living outside Spain for the first time. It was not always easy, but overcoming the challenging moments has given me greater self-confidence. Most importantly, I leave with the memories of a team that made me feel at home from the very first coffee.
I would definitely encourage the rest of the team to take advantage of these opportunities. It is a unique way to discover how our firm operates in other countries, step outside your comfort zone and return with fresh ideas and greater confidence. What is more, adapting to the routine was easier than I expected. Thanks to the support provided by Baker Tilly, I was able to continue going to the gym in Italy and maintain my exercise routine throughout my stay.
