VIVA LA MEXICO

My Erasmus internship in Mexico with Imprimible, was a totally enriching, hands on experience that immersed me in the world of a local, family-owned printing company in Mexico. At first I expected to focus more on technical aspects, but in reality it was much more about execution, teamwork and adapting to constantly changing priorities, so I let myself be surprised and opened my mind to assimilate the changes and get right into the internship.
In the first weeks, I mainly observed and did manual tasks like preparing banners, cutting vinyl organizing customer orders that were delivered on a daily basis and making sure everything was ready for production. I even worked some Saturdays during busy times, which gave me a real sense of how the business runs. The team was flexible and welcoming, and as the only girl, I brought a nice balance to the group.
As the internship progressed, I gradually transitioned from production to more creative and design focused tasks. Since there were enough hands handling the technical side, the team needed more support in design. That’s when I started contributing to design projects. Over time, I managed several projects on my own, from communicating directly with clients to developing proposals and preparing final files for print and redesigns. This change helped me grow as a designer in a real world environment where speed, clarity and client satisfaction were essential throughout this process attending to clients and interpreting their needs taught me to explain my ideas clearly and to adapt based on feedback. Of course, there were challenges along the way. Occasionally, equipment issues or last-minute client requests put the team under pressure and required quick adjustments. Still, these situations taught me to stay calm under pressure, think on my feet, and make the most of the resources at hand.

A key insight from this experience was realizing how differently design is perceived and valued in different cultural contexts. In Europe, design tends to be more formal and better compensated, while in other countries it plays a crucial, everyday role in keeping businesses functional and visible. Adapting to these different approaches broadened my perspective and made me more flexible as a professional.
Towards the end of my internship, I was presented with the opportunity to stay and work as a graphic designer. Although I deeply appreciated this idea, I opted to return to Germany to continue exploring new paths and growing in my field for the time being, but I do not rule out the idea of returning at some point and creating my own clients on an international level.

Adapting to a different country is an experience I highly recommend to anyone, particularly young people. There is no better way to expand one’s perspective than by immersing oneself in diverse cultures, belief systems, and worldviews. It encourages personal growth, challenges
preconceived ideas and fosters adaptability to new opportunities. This experience has given me a clearer understanding of where I want to be and what I want to pursue. I no longer feel pressured to think I’m making a mistake or that I need to rush into a job or something I don’t
enjoy. Taking the time to go on exchange and focus on personal growth can be far more valuable than rushing into something that doesn’t align with your true path. I’m grateful for everything I learned and proud of how much I grew both as a designer and as a person. I’m especially thankful to Mediencollege and the EU Erasmus+ project programme for making this opportunity possible and supporting my professional development abroad.