Internship at the Austrian Trade Commission
in Manila, Philippines
March 1 to April 30, 2000

General Information

Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich
Wiedner Hauptstr. 63
A - 1045 Vienna

The Austrian Foreign Trade Organization (FTO) is a results-orientated export consultancy service for Austrian businesses. Founded in 1946 with the establishment of its head office, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the FTO has the legally assigned function of the promotion of foreign trade world-wide.

The Foreign Trade Organization's purpose is to:

• Provide Austrian companies with unrestricted access to expert local knowledge and advice on all aspects of international trade and
• contribute to the significant development of Austria as an international business partner.

The network of over 80 local offices around the world - known as Trade Commissions - are directed by multi-lingual experts trained in international trade and politics, business management, geo-political and cultural issues.

Firsthand knowledge of a market by a local expert is an invaluable source of assistance to the exporter. The Trade Commissioners closely observe and analyze changing economic conditions and trade policies, identifying opportunities and potential difficulties to provide fast and expert advice.

The Steps to an Internship at one of the Trade Commissions all over the World

Requirements:

• Austrian Nationality
• Excellent Language Skills
• Study at the University of Economics and Business Administration or similar studies, law, technology including economics, etc.
• First part of the studies finished
• A maximum of eight semesters (at the time of application)

Assignments:

• To find out addresses of producers, traders, distribution partners, or of companies in the service industry
• Working with the Data Bank
• Market Research
• To carry out correspondence
• Filing and mail
• To do proof-reading of texts and scripts
• Assistance for preparations and carrying out of various events
• To make scripts topical
• To elaborate various market and product reports

Locations of Trade Commissions:

• Europe
• America
• Africa
• Australia
• Asia

Duration of an Internship:

• Within the Summer Term (1.7. - 30.9.): Overseas 1,5 months, Europe 1 month
• Spring Term (1.1. - 30.6.): 2 months
• Winter Term (1.10. - 31.12.): 2 months

For more information and the application form contact:

Mr. Anton DENK (Human Resource for foreign countries)
Tel: +43 (0)1 50105 ext. 4275
Email: DenkA@wkoe.wk.or.at

I did my internship at the Austrian Trade Commission in Manila, Philippines from March 1, 2000 to April 30, 2000.

This is the team of the Austrian Trade Commission in Manila:

From left to right:

Helga (full-time secretary)
Silvia (half-time secretary)
That's me!
Anton (our marketing officer)
Tess (reception secretary, also responsible for Tourism-related things)
Missing: Dr. Wolfgang Harwalik - our highly esteemed Austrian Trade Commissioner

And this is our - let's say - assistant staff:

From left to right:

Jun (general dogs boy)
Femio (postman)
Danny (chauffeur)

All in all, I've to say that this internship was a great experience - both the work and the friends I've made.

Because of my assignments (like reports on the wine and food market, translations of various reports, finding out suitable Philippine companies that may work together with Austrian companies, etc.) I got to know an idea of the Philippine economy and industry. Furthermore, I got an insight into the work of the Trade Commission, and last but not least, I made a lot of new friends down there.

To sum up, I can warmly recommend to anybody to make an internship - it doesn't matter within what organization (e.g. AIESEC) or company (e.g. Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich) - it's, in any case, an experience you will never forget. An experience that will form your character, your mind, and your way of thinking.