Three Months in Reims - Insights into Working at GRANIT France and Life in Champagne

My name is Aileen, and as part of the export team in Heeslingen, I manage our subsidiaries in Belgium and France. This summer, I had the opportunity to work at our branch in Reims for three months. During this time, I gained many valuable experiences and experienced the open culture of the office firsthand.

My Path at GRANIT – A Retrospective

I started with GRANIT in export in November 2021 and have since tackled many exciting tasks and challenges. In 2023, I spent four weeks on-site in Reims, which laid the foundation for a further stay. Improving my French skills was also a reason for this stay, and personal contact with colleagues is an invaluable advantage for daily work and project implementation.

An Open Office Culture and Shared Experiences

The atmosphere in the Reims office is characterized by openness and warmth. Every Friday, we start the day with a communal breakfast – of course, with baguette and cheese – a ritual that not only strengthens team spirit but also fosters interaction among team members. The colleagues are open, helpful, and the collaboration is defined by a pleasant working relationship, making it easy for me to integrate and feel comfortable quickly.

Special moments, such as go-karting together and a BBQ at the end of the stay, further strengthened our cohesion and provided lots of fun. These events are a great counterbalance to the workday and show how important team spirit is at GRANIT.

Working in Export – Exciting Projects and Challenges

My main task during my stay was to manage various projects. In addition to my daily export tasks, this included handling transport and backlog issues, as well as conducting training sessions, such as in SAP, for colleagues. Through face-to-face exchanges with colleagues, we were able to streamline processes and develop new solutions together, which also strengthened trust and collaboration. I also had the opportunity to conduct some customer calls and spend a day in the field to experience direct customer contact myself.

In daily communication in French, I was able to deepen my skills and learn a lot. This is a significant advantage for my work in export, as good language use facilitates interaction with colleagues and avoids misunderstandings.

Sports and Leisure – An Active Balance to Work Life

I also made use of my time in Reims for sports. After work, I often went to the gym or went running to stay fit and clear my mind. Additionally, I regularly played squash or tennis with a few colleagues, which was not only a good balance but also a great way to get to know colleagues better and have fun together. I also have fond memories of shared evenings in bars, the festival in Le Touquet on the beach, “La fête de la musique" in Reims, and many other excursions.

Short Trips to the West and the Capital of France

Besides work, I took the opportunity to explore the region on weekends. Whether it was the vineyards nearby, Paris, where I got a glimpse of the Olympic Games, or Epernay – the capital of Champagne with all its champagne houses. One of my highlights was a short trip with my colleague Sarah from Belgium to western France. We visited Bordeaux with its historic buildings and vineyards, Biarritz with its beautiful beaches and surfing culture, and Bayonne with its blend of Basque tradition and French flair.

Life in Champagne – Good Food, Good Weather, and New Friendships

The Champagne region impressed me with its unique lifestyle. Life here is characterized by good food, culinary delights – fresh baguettes, a huge variety of cheeses, and champagne – wonderful weather, and a relaxed way of living. It was a fantastic experience to try the regional cuisine and get to know the local culture. During my exchange, I also made new friendships that enriched my daily life and made me feel truly welcomed.

A Valuable Experience

My stay in Reims was incredibly enriching, both professionally and personally. The open office culture, the diverse tasks in export, the opportunity to improve my language skills, the activities after work, and exploring the beautiful Champagne region made my time in Reims truly special.

I am very grateful for this time and look forward to the next exciting projects and continuing to be part of the FRICKE team!