Délcia Muafeca

As an Angolan citizen who moved to Namibia to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communication, I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to do an internship in Switzerland. Thanks to B360 education partnerships, in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), this opportunity was made possible.

AT WORK

I had the privilege of interning at Mediaschneider, the leading independent media agency in Switzerland, from February 3rd to April 24th. Mediaschneider is a media agency specialized in media planning, buying, and advertising.

I was fortunate to be mentored by Claudia Pracherstorfer, who continuously guided me and provided constructive feedback. While my primary focus was on digital and social media, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with different teams on a variety of tasks. One of my first major tasks involved evaluating our main publishers. I also had the pleasure of working with the Social Team, who taught me the ins and outs of social media and campaign setup. A personal highlight was participating in a pitch, my first ever, with guidance from Andreas Weiss, who works with Strategy & Research Consulting. I learned a lot about pitches, how to align them with client goals and strategic thinking.

Another enjoyable part of my internship was presentation design where I was given practical tips on making PowerPoint slides more creative and engaging. Furthermore, I was thrilled to work on YouTube and programmatic.

I also contributed to surveys, research, data analysis, and learned to manage tasks more efficiently. Beyond technical knowledge, I gained essential life skills such as teamwork, time management, creative thinking, and effective communication; the company really offered me the perfect space to grow both personally and professionally. What made it even more special was the incredible support and care I received from the entire team, they looked out for my well-being and encouraged me to rest when needed. That kind of workplace culture is something I will never forget.

MY SWISS HOST FAMILY

I was incredibly lucky to be with the Brüning family. From the moment I arrived, Elke Brüning and Sosina Albert welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like part of their family.

They helped me settle in, introduced me to Swiss traditions and food such as Raclette, Rösti, and a lot of Swiss chocolate, and my host sister even helped me learn how to swim, something I couldn’t do at all. My host mother took me to the mountains where I saw snow for the first time, and I was amazed by its beauty. We explored beautiful cities, both the old and modern towns of Zurich, took a boat cruise, and I attended my first opera. We went on unforgettable trips, including a snowy hike in Pontresina and a scenic return to the city by horse carriage. More than anything, the Brünings gave me love, support, and a true sense of belonging. They didn’t just open their home to me, they opened their hearts. Thanks to them, I’ve grown not just in knowledge, but in understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the richness of life. 

I appreciate the whole family: Karin Brüning, a lovely woman who would always help me and know what I would like or dislike (haha), Lydia Brüning, a woman who really treated me as her granddaughter, Gaby Bieri, Urs Bieri, and even our lovely pets. Their love, guidance, and hospitality made a huge impact on my journey. I will never be able to express how grateful I am for everything they did for me; they are really special, and I will always love them. More than a host, they are now my family.

HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES IN SWITZERLAND

Some highlights of my time in Switzerland include the opportunity to do my internship at one of the country’s top media agencies, Mediaschneider, and be part of a pitch presentation, as well as staying with a wonderful Swiss family, the Brünings. I also had the chance to travel to places such as Paris, where I saw the amazing Eiffel Tower; Milan and seeing its stunning cathedral; hiking in the snow in Pontresina; seeing the Rheinfall, such an amazing place, as well as Parpaner Rothorn.

Meeting people from different countries and cultures was also important to me. It helped me grow as a person and broadened my perspective.

A challenge I faced was navigating Zurich’s transport system, but getting lost a few times only made me more confident and independent.

MY FUTURE PLANS

Looking ahead, I plan to complete my bachelor’s degree and continue with further studies. In addition, I aim to pursue work opportunities and apply the knowledge and experience I have gained to contribute to the development of Angola and Namibia.

PERSONAL MESSAGE

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to God, my family, the Namibia University of Science and Technology, B360 education partnerships, and every stakeholder who made this incredible opportunity possible.

To anyone reading this, my message is simple: No matter where you come from or what your circumstances are; with determination, hard work, focus, and consistency, you can rise above any challenge and achieve more than you ever thought possible. Stay humble, stay curious, believe in yourself, and always give your best.

To the B360 education partnerships team: thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your initiative opened a door that truly changed my life, and I will carry the lessons and experiences from this journey with me forever.