From Brisbane to Bavaria: Where Design Meets Beer Gardens

For years, I listened to friends rave about their once-in-a-lifetime adventures in Germany, and watched students leave full of nerves and return as confident, experienced designers. But I never thought it was for me or doubted if it was the right path for my design journey. At 15, stubborn me, forced to awkwardly recite German in language class, firmly decided Germany wasn’t her thing. Yet over the years, hearing about Munich’s magic and the internship’s power planted a seed. Now, five months into my own internship, I get it. I’m ready to become that friend who won’t shut up about their incredible overseas experience.

First let’s not sugarcoat it, moving abroad is hard. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many life experiences you’ve racked up, it can be lonely, intimidating, and downright overwhelming. And if you’ve ever had to deal with the KVR, you’ll know what I mean when I say it can make you question every decision you’ve ever made. But here’s the thing: it’s worth it. I promise. Sure, not much can beat the beaches of Australia on a summer’s day, but Munich in summer? It comes pretty close. The lifestyle and congregation of all sorts people in the gardens, the ease of public transport, and the sheer energy of the city is something else. Then autumn rolls in with its golden leaves, followed by the magic of the first snowfall, and the festive joy of the Christmas markets.

The internship at IDEAlworks so far has been amazing. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at IDEALworks and the BMW Group, especially if you’ve been following along with the Design Academies projects, is a quite surreal. From day one, IDEALworks made sure I was set up for success. The first day starts with all the other new joiners, a mix of interns and full-timers. You set up your devices, learn about the company, collect some merchandise (who doesn’t love free merch), and take care of the admin essentials. Then it’s off to meet your team and have lunch with your supervisor, who walks you through the week. The onboarding process is packed with meetings, putting faces to names, and, most importantly, figuring out where to find the best coffee and snacks. It’s all incredibly smooth and welcoming. 

For me, this internship is a key part of my PhD research. Therefore, a lot of my time is spent exploring how design expertise fits into IDEALworks and how the different teams work together. What makes design here so exciting is how it blends UI, UX, and design thinking, all while collaborating closely with other teams. It’s a fascinating and dynamic environment to learn from. You also gain valuable experience in communication and learning to navigate the workflows and processes of others, often in a whole new world of terminology and language.

When the workweek ends, Europe is at your doorstep. With quick trains and flights, I’ve explored Barcelona, Prague, Switzerland, and all-around Germany, with plans for a white Christmas in Copenhagen and Svalsbard. Europe is truly at your fingertips and ensures weekends here are the perfect balance to the intensity of work. All in all, I can definitely recommend the internship, even if you’re a little older or not sure if its right for you. 

Alexandra Singleton
BMW Group Design PhD Intern, 2024