As part of the European Platform for Urban Greening, Royal Ginkel Group (Netherlands) and PAIMED (Spain) collaborated on a worker exchange program to share knowledge and expertise. Javier Pérez, a Forest Engineering student from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and part-time employee at PAIMED, completed an internship at Royal Ginkel Group. This hands-on experience allowed him to deepen his understanding of interior landscape maintenance while exploring new approaches in the green sector. Pérez reflects on his time abroad, sharing insights on his tasks, cultural experiences, and the personal and professional growth he gained during his stay in the Netherlands.
As part of the European Platform for Urban Greening, partner companies Royal Ginkel Group (Holland) and PAIMED (Spain) collaborated in a worker exchange during the summer period. Through this collaboration, the consortium aimed to exchange knowledge and different perspectives through hands-on experience.
Javier Pérez, a part-time employee at PAIMED, completed an internship at Royal Ginkel Group, focusing on interior maintenance and implementation. Javier is currently a second-year student of Forest Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Upon returning from his internship, Javier was able to share his experiences with the staff at PAIMED.
What motivated you to pursue an internship abroad?
My main motivation for pursuing an internship abroad was to improve my language skills and to learn how other companies in the green sector operate. When I finally decided to go to Veenendaal, I realized that it was going to be a unique experience, and I was very excited about it.
What was a typical workday like, and what kind of tasks did you perform?
My primary job at Royal Ginkel Group was interior landscape maintenance, but they also gave me the opportunity to work on implementation and project calculations. On a daily basis, I would go on-site to water vertical gardens and planters, remove dead leaves, and check the plants to ensure they were healthy and free from pests or diseases. I started work early in the morning and usually finished by early afternoon. This gave me the chance to enjoy some leisure time or do some sightseeing to explore new cities and landscapes.
Were communication and cultural differences a barrier during your internship?
At the beginning, I felt a bit insecure due to the language barrier. I wasn’t very confident in my English, and I don’t speak any Dutch. However, as the days passed and I became more accustomed to the foreign environment, my communication skills began to improve. Additionally, I didn’t encounter any significant cultural differences.
The relationship with the staff members was very easy and smooth, especially with Lars van Ginkel and Bernard van Harn, who both gave me a warm welcome and all their support during the internship. I always felt very comfortable, which helped me make the most of my experience—not only in terms of technical knowledge but also in personal development.
During this period, did you have the chance to discover new places?
While I was in Netherlands, Royal Ginkel Groep gave me the opportunity to visit amazing projects. The first week I was there, I was able to visit one of the most impressive urban greening projects I’ve never seen: Aeres (Almere). Technical employees from the company explained me every detail about the enormous exterior vertical garden and the amazing interior landscape. Also, I visited several cutting edge and challenging projects as Adidas and Decathlon facilities, where I could help the staff to water and take care of the plants.
Not only I had the chance to visit green infrastructures schemes but also I was able to do some sightseeing. I visited cities like Zaanse Schans and Utrech, where I really had a great time.
What were your expectations for the internship? Were they met?
I didn’t have any specific expectations beyond gaining experience abroad, learning how other companies operate, and improving my language skills. However, to be honest, my expectations were exceeded. I had the opportunity to work on and visit very high-level projects, observing methodologies and techniques that I hadn’t encountered before.
Aside from the knowledge I gained, one of the things I’m most proud of is stepping out of my comfort zone. Not only did I develop my professional skills, but I also learned to handle day-to-day challenges. I realized that back home, I usually follow the same routines, fully aware of the social codes and situations. But being in a new environment pushed me to react differently, allowing me to grow beyond what I thought were my capabilities.
If you had to repeat the experience, what advice would you give to another student?
If I were to advise someone interested in an internship, I would say: just go for it. It’s natural to feel scared at first, knowing that you might face difficult situations, such as getting lost or struggling with the language. But the truth is that I learned so much during my time at Royal Ginkel Group, and if you find a similar company, I can assure you that it will be an unforgettable experience.
PAIMED would like to thank Royal Ginkel Group and Javier for their cooperation and effort in sharing knowledge across borders.
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