Thandiwe Mapalo Sakala

LGT Bank (Switzerland) Ltd.

Master in Economics
University of Zambia

February 01 - April 30 2026

At Work

My internship at LGT Bank has been a great experience. I have always had a strong interest in investments and investment banking, so when I learned that I had been placed at LGT, I was very excited and eager to learn more.

Before this internship, my understanding of investments was quite limited to bonds, treasury bills, and buying stocks on exchanges like the Lusaka Securities Exchange back home. However, my time at LGT exposed me to a much broader perspective. I learned about private markets, particularly private equity, and was introduced to the concept of sustainable investing. I found this interesting because I had never really thought about sustainability and investment together. It made me reflect on investment practices in my home country and whether this is something that is being considered.

Working with the ISE COO team was a great experience. Everyone was welcoming, supportive, and always willing to help. I felt comfortable asking questions whenever I faced challenges. My mentor, Anna, was especially helpful, she gave me tasks that I genuinely enjoyed and encouraged me to explore different approaches, while also providing constructive feedback on how I could improve. My line manager, Lukas, was also great to work with; I enjoyed the tasks he assigned and the discussions we had around them.

Overall, the entire team made my experience very enjoyable. Beyond work, I also appreciated the opportunity to connect with the team on a personal level, such as during the fondue dinner we had together.

My Swiss Host Family

I truly believe I had a great host family. They did an amazing job of making me feel welcome and part of the family from the very beginning. From the first day, they made sure I was comfortable, in fact, the first and only rule my host mom gave me was simply to “be comfortable”, which immediately made me feel at home.

They were always interested in my day, checking in to see how things were going and if I had any challenges. They also helped me plan trips and showed me how to navigate getting around, which made settling in much easier. One of the things I enjoyed most was our dinner time we had long, fun, and often very insightful discussions and debates. I genuinely learned a lot from those moments.

It was also really interesting to experience a different family dynamic. For example, seeing how involved my host dad was in preparing dinner and helping clean up afterward was something that stood out to me, as it is less common back home. He also took me to a recycling centre, where I got to see firsthand how recycling works here.

My host sisters, Shania and Taylor, were also great. It was really nice having girls around my age, which made conversations more fun and relatable. They were very kind and always willing to help.

Highlights and Challenges in Switzerland

One of the biggest highlights of my time in Switzerland was the opportunity to travel and experience so many beautiful places. Visiting Matterhorn and Jungfraujoch was unforgettable, especially seeing the Glacier Palace and experiencing snow up close. I also really enjoyed the boat rides on Lake Zurich and Lake Luzern, with the stunning views all around. Another highlight was visiting Lindt chocolate factory.

Beyond Switzerland, I was also fortunate to travel to other cities like Milan and Paris. Seeing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre Museum were incredible experiences that I will always remember.

Some challenges; adjusting to the cold weather was definitely one of them, but once I got used to layering properly, it became much more manageable. Another challenge was the language barrier. At times, it was difficult to ask for directions or communicate. But with time, I learned how to navigate better and usually found someone willing to help.

My Future Plans

My immediate plan is to focus on finishing my master’s degree, as I am now in my second year and need to dedicate time to my thesis. Once I have made good progress with that, I intend to start looking for a job, ideally in a bank, particularly in investment banking or within a financial institution.

In the long term, I hope to incorporate what I have learned about sustainability into my career. My experience during this internship has really sparked my interest in sustainable investing, and I would like to explore opportunities in that area in the near future.

Alongside this, I also plan to be more consistent with my small online business. I would like to develop it further by creating an official page, increasing engagement, and diversifying the products I offer. This will not only help me generate income but also support my goal of becoming more financially independent as I complete my studies and transition into the workforce.

Personal Message

I am truly grateful to my university, Sabina, the B360 team, LGT Bank, my host family, and everyone who contributed to making this program a success. It has been a very enriching experience, and I have learned so much during my time here.

There are many lessons I will carry back home with me – from punctuality and hard work to the importance of delivering high-quality work. This experience has been truly eye-opening, both professionally and personally.

Overall, this experience has not only expanded my knowledge but also shaped my perspective, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity.