Graz/Austria. "The people of Graz should be able to benefit from digitalization. The digital offering is barrier-free, inclusive and accessible to all," says the city administration of the first European Capital of Culture. During her European internship, Kimberly Lausch was able to learn about new digital working methods and take part in training courses. She gained an insight into the ongoing digitalization process at Graz City Council. The future city secretary brought this knowledge back to the City Hall in Bonn and reported back to her training manager. Even the magazine of the German Civil Service Association was interested in her stay and therefore conducted an interview with her.

In her free time, she experienced the city with its many sights, such as the Schlossberg with the longest indoor slide in the world and the fairytale train, the Landeszeughaus and the Murinsel. In addition to her interesting work, Graz had a lot to offer her in terms of culture, history and cuisine.

Bitola/North Macedonia. "A hand that gives never dries up" is a North Macedonian proverb that colleagues from the Balkans also took seriously while working with Lina Förster.

The municipal administration trainee from the City of Bonn faced the heat of North Macedonia in July and completed her European internship in Bitola, the third largest city in North Macedonia. As an ambassador for Bonn's city administration, she informed her North Macedonian colleagues about the work in Bonn. She was particularly interested in the Beethoven anniversary in 2020. In return, she gained an insight into the individual tasks of the Skopje and Bitola city administrations and met helpful and friendly colleagues who explained the areas of work to her. She discovered that certain tasks, such as the registration system or the social welfare office, fall within the remit of the Ministry of the Interior of North Macedonia and are therefore not part of the municipal administration's remit. In addition, Bitola has a so-called "Code for State Officials", including a dress code. The woman from Bonn passed this with flying colors, as certified in a certificate.

North Macedonia, the EU's newest candidate country, is an undiscovered but worthwhile destination. There is much to discover in this small, hospitable country on the southern Balkan peninsula. The lively, historically interesting city of Bitola is well worth exploring. But its surroundings are also worth a visit with their beautiful mountain landscapes and crystal-clear lakes. Heraklea, the ancient archaeological site and medieval monasteries invite you on a moving journey into the past. The city's exceptional and tasty food is highly recommended. On the "Shirok Sokak", the promenade of Bitola, you can admire many urban neo-baroque and renaissance facades during a relaxed stroll. You should discover the former capital especially in summer during the "BIT Festival". Live concerts, dance shows and theater performances take place daily in the city center.