German university student intern Ann-Marie Kratz is a long way from home.
The 22-year-old public management student is currently spending her three-month internship with the Town of Penhold in a variety of roles, from working with youth to inputting building permit information in the computer database.
Ann-Marie, or Annie as she prefers, latched onto the Penhold opportunity through Rick Binnendyk, the town's chief administrative officer, who arranged the placement. While in Alberta, she is staying with her father's cousin who moved to Alberta after the Second World War and settled in Innisfail.
“When I left Germany it was 12 degrees Celsius and when I arrived in Alberta it was minus 40 Celsius,” said Kratz. “Back home in Kraichtal, the coldest we get is minus 15 degrees so it was a shock. But I do like seeing all the snow. We don't have that in Germany.”
When asked about the cultural differences between Alberta and Germany, she spoke about the relaxed attitudes Canadians have.
“People are more friendly here, and easier to work with,” added the German student. “In Germany, people are more uptight and rough with each other. Here, at the town office, we have gone bowling, we talk to each other and work as a team and connect personally. I do not see that in Germany.”
She was also surprised by the fact that malls are open on Sundays.
“The first Sunday I was here, my cousin said, ‘let's go to the mall',” said Kratz. “I said, ‘why, so we can wait in the parking lot?'
“I did not know they were open. I will miss that,” she added.
Of all the jobs she has done during her internship, she has enjoyed computer work the most.
“I would like to take the friendliness I found here back to Germany with me,” said the student.
During her time in Alberta, she went to Banff during Easter break and took in the scenery.
“I enjoyed the mountains and went up the gondola to the top of the mountain,” said Kratz. “It was beautiful, we don't have this in Germany.”
Her last day of internship is May 14 and her parents arrive the next day to start a family vacation. Annie has a younger brother and older sister back home in Kraichtal. She attends university in Kehl.
