From SEAMK to Poland: A brewing internship experience in Kraków
International opportunities can open unexpected doors—and for Khanh Vy Ho, a Sustainable Food Processing (formerly Agri-Food Engineering) student at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK), an Erasmus+-funded traineeship in Poland became both a professional and personal milestone.
Exploring brewing science in Poland
Practical training is a mandatory part of the degree programme, and Khanh Vy actively applied for internship opportunities in both Finland and abroad. After a competitive application process, an exciting opportunity emerged at the Kraków School of Brewing (KSB) in Poland.
The traineeship combined hands-on laboratory work with research activities linked to her bachelor’s thesis, making it an especially meaningful learning experience. In addition to developing technical expertise, the internship helped her explore future academic and career interests in brewing science and fermentation technology.
“Working in an international brewing laboratory environment motivated me to consider continuing my studies in Poland in the future,” Khanh Vy explains.
Hands-on laboratory experience
During the traineeship, Khanh Vy worked as a laboratory assistant and contributed to both physicochemical and microbiological analysis of beer.
Daily tasks included:
- Yeast propagation and cell counting
- Brewer’s wort production
- Microbiological testing
- Aseptic laboratory techniques
- Measuring alcohol content in beer samples
The internship also involved small-scale brewing experiments using different hop varieties, as well as research work supporting her bachelor’s thesis.
Through these activities, she gained a practical understanding of brewing processes, product development, quality assurance, and contamination prevention—successfully connecting academic theory with real-world application.
Learning beyond technical skills
Beyond laboratory work, the international environment played a key role in Khanh Vy’s development.
English was widely used in the workplace, while Polish remained the primary professional language in the laboratory. Over time, she also learned specialised Polish terminology related to brewing and laboratory processes.
“Working with supportive colleagues improved my confidence in asking questions, collaborating with others, and adapting to a foreign work culture.”
The experience strengthened essential soft skills, including:
- Communication and teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Scientific reporting
- Time management and organisation
Building a future career path
The traineeship provided valuable insight into the brewing and food industries, opening pathways for future careers in:
- Brewing science
- Biotechnology
- Food microbiology
- Quality assurance
It also helped clarify her future academic goals. Following the experience, Khanh Vy developed a strong interest in pursuing a master’s degree in brewing or fermentation sciences.
In addition, the professional connections built during the internship may lead to future collaboration opportunities in research and product development within the food and beverage sector.
The value of international opportunities
According to Khanh Vy, international opportunities offered through SEAMK play a crucial role in shaping both academic and professional development.
International traineeships and exchange programmes enable students to:
- Gain practical experience in diverse environments
- Develop intercultural and communication skills
- Improve adaptability and independence
- Build global networks
“My internship experience in Poland showed how valuable international opportunities can be for both personal growth and career planning.”
For students in fields such as Sustainable Food Processing, international experience is increasingly important. Opportunities like this not only enhance technical expertise but also prepare students for success in a global working environment.