Secondment at Baker Tilly Frankfurt
Where do you come from (city–country, department)?
I currently work at the Baker Tilly office in Madrid, in the Employment Advisory department, where we provide specialized labour advisory services to our clients, most of whom are international.
How long did your experience last?
I had the opportunity to live this experience in Frankfurt (Germany) for two weeks. Although it was a short period, it allowed me to see what it’s like to live and work in another country. I also got to discover a city I hadn’t planned to visit and that really surprised me: I never imagined I’d find so many skyscrapers or such large offices.
What was it like working for another Baker Tilly firm abroad?
It was incredibly enriching and a truly exciting challenge. Thanks to this international opportunity, I was able to work outside Spain, get to know another corporate culture and see how work organization changes depending on each country’s culture.
Why did you want to take part in this experience?
I wanted to have this international experience because it’s a unique opportunity that I had already heard about from a colleague in my department. I had never been to Germany or lived abroad, so when I was offered the Secondment, I accepted without hesitation, keen to make the most of the support of our international network.
How was your overall experience? How did you find your team? What did you visit?
My experience in Frankfurt was very positive. In just two weeks I discovered a comfortable, well-connected city that’s perfect for walking around. The team gave me a very friendly welcome, language wasn’t an issue thanks to English, and we shared lunches, breaks and even a few table-football matches. I visited Frankfurt’s historic centre, the riverside area, tried mulled wine and several typical dishes, always accompanied by my colleagues from the labour department, who were fantastic guides.
Professionally, I learned about German labour law and their approach to employment advice, as well as their model of working in individual offices, where focus and privacy are valued, without giving up the traditional coffee break to socialise.
What would you highlight most about this experience? Would you encourage your colleagues to take part in these secondments?
What I would highlight most about this experience is how enriching it has been for my personal and professional growth. Living in another country has been both a challenge and a great opportunity to grow.
I would definitely encourage any colleague to take part in a secondment because, even though it may feel a bit daunting at first, it’s an incredibly valuable experience. I feel very fortunate for everything I’ve learned, for the people I’ve met and for the team that’s waiting for me back in Madrid.
