As summer draws to a close, we look back on another season filled with interns from all around the world. This year brought something new: for the very first time, we had an intern joining our marketing team! Chiara from Germany has been with us for an internship in Iceland the past five months, making a valuable contribution to our marketing department. Today, she shares her experiences and reflections from her time with us.

Tell us a bit about your background – where did you grow up, what are your interests, and how did you end up in Iceland?

I grew up in Landshut, which is a “small” town in Bavaria, Germany – although by Icelandic standards, it’s actually quite a big city! My interests are pretty diverse, but music is a huge passion of mine.

I play three instruments myself and love going to concerts. Because of my taste in music and my fascination with Norse mythology, I’ve always felt drawn to Iceland.

Two years ago, I made that dream come true with a solo trip to the land of fire and ice. That trip completely blew me away. I came back knowing: I have to return – but for longer this time.

I wanted to really experience the culture, meet the people, try the food, and learn the language. 

So, during the final stretch of my training program back home, I pulled every string I could to find an internship in Iceland. It wasn’t easy – but thankfully, I eventually stumbled upon Midgard.

And now… here I am! 

How was your first impression of Iceland?

My very first impression of Iceland was overwhelming – in the best possible way. Everything looked so different, almost as if I had landed on another planet. The landscapes were vast and open, and the colors… black, green, purple, red – shades I never thought existed in nature.

My very first Highland experience was in Landmannalaugar, and it completely took my breath away. I honestly felt like I was in the wrong movie – I had never seen anything so gigantic, so otherworldly, and so unlike anything I was used to back home.

Even the air felt different – cleaner, fresher. It was all just incredibly overwhelming for me, in a magical kind of way.

 

Your first day at Midgard – describe it!

My first day at Midgard wasn’t actually that long – but getting there was already quite the adventure. I had decided to take public transport because I wanted it to feel like a little adventure. Let’s just say: it definitely turned into one. I ended up waiting three hours for the bus – public transportation here in Iceland isn’t quite like in Munich! Eventually, I arrived at the N1 gas station, where I was kindly picked up by Ruben, our kitchen chef.

When I began my internship in Iceland with Midgard, I had no idea what to expect – but from day one, I felt truly welcome and at home. They gave me a little tour of the place, and even asked if I wanted to hop into the hot tub – but honestly, I was so tired that evening, all I wanted was a bed. But right from the start, I had a very good feeling about this place.

What does an average day “at the office” look like for you?

At 9 o’clock, I usually start with a coffee and sit down at my laptop to check emails. Most mornings I also make myself a bowl of porridge – I need breakfast to be able to think properly. Without it, nothing works for me.

Then I go over my daily plan or catch up with Shaun to go through any tasks or ideas for the day. I usually set up in my little corner downstairs in the small dining room – it’s my cozy workspace. From there, I can keep an eye on what’s happening, enjoy some quiet, and of course… I’m the first to know when lunch is ready! Also, being right next to the filter coffee machine doesn’t hurt.

That’s where you’ll often find me typing away – but it’s never boring. Sometimes Hildur or Stefan will drop by to brainstorm ideas or hand over new tasks. Björg also checks in every now and then for things like social media training sessions, which are always fun and a bit chaotic in the best way.

No day is exactly the same – and that’s what I love about it.

Any funny behind-the-scenes story you want to tell? How is the Midgard team really?

Very wild – in the best way! When you work here, you should be ready for random dance or singing outbursts at any time. The general mood is way above average – and that makes working here even more enjoyable. Everyone at Midgard has their own unique, lovable personality and genuinely listens. If something’s wrong, people notice – and they care. It’s completely different from other work cultures I’ve experienced.

Honestly, I wouldn’t even call it a “team” – it feels more like a family. A chaotic, diverse, slightly crazy, but deeply kind-hearted family.

You got a family visit – how was it to welcome your family up here?

It was honestly amazing – but also a bit strange, to be completely honest! Of course, I was super excited to have my family visit.

I finally had the chance to show them what fascinates me so much about this place, why I keep raving about the land of ice and fire and my internship here in Iceland.

But at the same time, it felt a bit surreal. Iceland had become my personal safe space – a place where I could really grow, make my own decisions, and just be.

I hadn’t had a single day of bad mood here – it’s been that special.

So, having my parents here and suddenly being asked the “classic questions” about university, work, the future, etc. – it was a little overwhelming at times. Not in a bad way, just… intense.

That said, I missed them a lot, and I can’t wait to see them again. It was beautiful to share my Iceland life with them – even if it stirred up a lot of emotions.

The highlights and low lights of your internship in Iceland?

My absolute highlight has been the people I’ve met – people I now call close friends. Almost every weekend, we go to concerts together, sing karaoke, or – if we feel like something more relaxed – we head out for a hike.

We’re a group of five, and I still remember how I waved each of them over one by one and basically decided: from today, we’re friends. And it actually worked just like that. Something inside me told me I had to talk to these people – I had a feeling we were on the same wavelength. And we really are.

Our little friend group is super international – we’ve got Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Germany, and Poland all represented. I’m so grateful to have them in my life, and I’m already looking forward to the day I can welcome them to my home.

The only real “low lights” I had were two days when I was sick with a fever. That’s when I really missed home. And after my parents left Iceland, I had a little wave of homesickness. But that passed pretty quickly.

Any recommendations for future interns – should they apply?

To anyone out there who’s unsure or going back and forth about whether they should take the leap – I can only say: DO IT.

Midgard is the perfect place for that kind of adventure. You’ll feel welcome from the very beginning, and you really don’t have to worry about whether it’ll be the right fit – because it will be.

Unless you enjoy being surrounded by grumpy people (which I highly doubt), this place will make you feel at home.

The time you spend here is an incredible opportunity for personal growth. You’ll gain so much: confidence, independence, new friendships – and you’ll be surrounded by a landscape that will take your breath away over and over again

You’ve become a bit of a local by now – what are your favorite secret spots or things to do?

My personal highlight might sound a bit unspectacular at first, but it honestly brings me the greatest joy: I love driving out to the beach at Landeyjahöfn. I walk along the shore, watching the waves crash with such force against the coastline – it’s powerful, calming, and humbling all at once. Every time, I seem to find something new and strange – like a goose barnacle, a dolphin bone, a whale bone, or even an old phone book!

I’m also a huge fan of the Westfjords – a beautifully remote and peaceful part of the country. If you’ve got the time and energy for a road trip, go there. It’s absolutely worth it.

And one more thing: check out the Icelandic music scene! The more underground, the better. There are so many insanely talented young artists here – it’s genuinely impressive.

Anything you’re proud of that you did during your time? At work or off work – something you learned during your internship in Iceland, maybe even about yourself?

Definitely! One thing I’m really proud of is how much I learned about web design and content creation – especially through working with WordPress and Canva.

Before coming here, both of those tools were pretty foreign to me. But step by step, I got the hang of them. I got to finalize and publish several blog articles for Midgard, and seeing my own work up on the website was a great feeling – like, yes, I made something that actually exists here.

It might sound small, but for me it meant a lot. It showed me that I can dive into new tools and unfamiliar areas, figure things out, and contribute something meaningful. That built a lot of confidence.

And honestly, beyond the technical skills, I think I also learned to trust myself more. I don’t always have to know everything from the start – it’s about being open to learning and not being afraid to ask.

Any learning moments or fails that happened during work?

Oh yes – and it’s a good one. I’m partly responsible for Midgard’s social media, and one time I created an ad on Instagram and Facebook for a Stefan Hilmarsson event.

All was going well… until I accidentally added a Christmas song as the background music (it was summer). 

To be fair, he sings everything in Icelandic – so I didn’t understand the lyrics at all. I just thought the vibe fit! But not long after, Stefan himself called Midgard directly and asked for it to be changed – because, well, it was a Christmas song and we were nowhere near the holiday season. It was slightly embarrassing at the time, but honestly? Also kind of funny. Definitely one of those “learning moments” during my internship in Iceland – especially: don’t trust Icelandic lyrics if you don’t understand them

Comparing your home in Germany with your home in Iceland – any culture shocks, any similarities?

Well… let’s just say the speed limits here were a bit of a cultural shock.
So much, that I got to have a personal conversation with the Icelandic police about them.  Lesson learned! 

Another thing: the coffee consumption here is on a whole different level. People drink coffee all day long – even at 9 p.m., when my body would definitely not recommend it anymore.

Apart from that, I’d say Icelanders come across as a bit warmer and more open-hearted than people in Germany. There’s a casual kindness here that makes you feel welcomed and seen.

What could Germans learn from Icelanders? And the other way around?

I think Germans could definitely learn a thing or two from the Icelandic “þetta reddast“ mindset – that calm, trusting belief that “it’ll all work out somehow.” It brings a lot of peace and flexibility into everyday life.

On the flip side, Icelanders might benefit from a bit more structure and organization – just a touch of German efficiency wouldn’t hurt here and there.

What’s your favourite Icelandic word?

Frábææææært!
It means “great” or “awesome,” but the way people say it – often dragging out the ææææ with enthusiasm or sarcasm – makes it just iconic. It’s such a versatile, feel-good word that I now find myself using way too often, even when speaking German.

Which dish will you miss the most?

I think everyone in the kitchen can answer that easily: the rhubarb dessert! When I need a delicious serotonin boost, that’s definitely what I go for. But I would definitely check out the menu in general. It’s worth it!

Especially when I miss summer and the “summer vibes” that come with it, the rhubarb dessert is just the thing to get me back in the mood.

I’ve also promised myself to kindly ask for the recipe so I can take a little bit of “Midgard” home with me.

What will you miss most when you’re back in your other home?

I think what I’ll miss most is the independence I had here during my internship in Iceland – and the feeling of truly being on my own.

There’s something incredibly powerful about being in a place where everything you do, every choice you make, is entirely yours. No routines from back home, no familiar expectations – just you, in a new space, writing your own story. Iceland gave me that. It gave me room to grow, to listen to myself more clearly, to feel what actually matters to me. The wide open landscapes somehow mirror that internal space.

And even though I’ll eventually leave this place physically, I know that feeling – of freedom, clarity, and quiet confidence – will stay with me.

 

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