For Sarah and Jerome, this autumn marked a milestone: their first trip abroad – and the long-awaited opportunity to meet many colleagues in person. Both work at Onja, a social enterprise in Madagascar that trains talented young professionals in digital skills and connects them with global companies. Through our collaboration, they’ve become valued members of our Inspired Team, contributing their expertise to projects across continents. Their visit turned digital teamwork into real-life connection.
First Impressions
After a long journey with a stopover in Ethiopia, they arrived in Frankfurt full of anticipation. Sarah admitted she had felt a little anxious beforehand. She laughed: “I get car sick easily, so I was worried about flying. But it turned out to be completely fine.” Jerome, by contrast, couldn’t wait to start the adventure. “I wasn’t nervous at all,” he said. “We knew Alba from the backoffice Team had everything organized.”
Germany surprised them in small but memorable ways. “The transport system really impressed me,” Sarah explained. “At home, trains exist but are no longer used for public travel and they’re very old. Here, everything felt modern and efficient.” Jerome agreed, joking that even delayed German trains seemed punctual compared to what they were used to.
Another unexpected moment came with the light – or rather, the lack of it. “At 6:30 in the morning, it was still completely dark!” Sarah recalled. “People told us we should come again in winter, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that!”
From Online to Real Life
In their first days, Sarah and Jerome explored Frankfurt and Cologne, strolled along the river, and enjoyed their first taste of German food. “Meeting everyone face to face felt different – more real, more personal,” Sarah said. “We’d already built a connection online, but in person it became something warmer.”
Jerome described the experience as “surreal at first, but so natural once we started talking. You realize how much easier teamwork feels when you’ve shared a meal together.”
The highlight of their stay was meeting mentors and teammates they had worked with for over a year. Seeing familiar faces outside of video calls made the team spirit tangible.
A Taste of Germany
Trying German cuisine quickly turned into its own adventure. “So many potatoes!” Sarah joked. “We eat a lot of rice in Madagascar, so that was new — but I liked it.” She named schnitzel, Leberkäse, and currywurst among her favourites, though she laughed about the generous portions: “Maybe a little too much food, but delicious.”
Jerome’s favourite memory was dinner during inspired days. “That was the best meal — great food and even better company,” he said.
Culture, Conversations, and Connection
When asked about cultural differences, both reflected thoughtfully. Sarah noted that German directness stood out to her. “At home, people are often so polite that it’s hard to know what they really mean. Being straightforward saves a lot of guessing – it’s something we could learn from.”
They also noticed how lively German dinners can be. “People talk so passionately and loudly!” Jerome said, smiling. “But I liked that. It felt energetic and friendly.”
Both were struck by how welcoming people were wherever they went. “Everyone was kind,” Sarah shared. “I’d heard that not all Europeans are open to foreigners, but in Cologne people were incredibly friendly and curious.”
Looking Back
Reflecting on their trip, both agreed it had a lasting impact. “Now it’s easier to work together,” Sarah said. “Knowing each other personally makes collaboration smoother and more natural.” Jerome added that Onja’s support with the logistics was invaluable: “They helped us prepare everything. Now they know exactly how to make future visits even easier.”
From long flights to shared laughter, and from rice to potatoes, the journey turned colleagues into friends. It was a reminder that international collaboration isn’t just about projects and deadlines – it’s about people.
As Sarah put it with a smile: “Everything was new, but somehow, we felt at home – even far from home.”
