Working at Bühler in Nairobi: Stéphanie Ruch shares her experience as an intern
We talked to Stéphanie Ruch about her internship at Bühler Nairobi. Besides gaining in-depth knowledge on milling technology, she dedicated her laboratory work to the identification of a composite flour suitable for the Kenyan market. She shares her insights on working on this project and her most memorable impressions of living in Nairobi.
What did your usual working day look like during the internship at Bühler Nairobi?
My work varies but is always consistently stimulating. Initially, I worked alongside a commissioning team which installed Bühler machines in factories. Through this, I gained hands-on and more in-depth knowledge of milling technology. I also jumped in as a substitute teacher during busy times at African milling school and helped to write business plans for lab services. My main work however was in the laboratory of the school where I am working on a project which aims to promote the milling of flour made from sorghum, a drought-resistant local grain. In order to find a composite flour suitable for the Kenyan market, I conducted trials with different local foods such as chapati (flat bread) and mandazi (sweet fried bread). Finding flours which can be used as suitable combinates to wheat flour is especially important currently, as Kenya imported 60 % of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia.
What new things have you learned?
In terms of practical experience: too many to list here. By far my favorite experiences have been the personal ones: getting the chance to live abroad and immerse myself in a new culture and way of life, which I know I will carry with me going forward.
Were there also any challenges or difficulties?
Yes, but that’s a part of it! The main challenge I had was getting back into my comfort zone and day-to-day life. Essentially finding a grocery store, understanding how transportation works and where to do my laundry. It’s a bit of a process until you find what fits for you away from home, but it’s also a chance to get to know new things and reassess how you do things at home.
Did you have the opportunity to discover more of life in Nairobi/Kenya?
I did get the chance to travel around Kenya and explore Nairobi. Kenya is incredibly diverse in scenery and wildlife, it’s a paradise for people who love nature and adventure. However, the city life in Kenya is also very impressive and definitely worth exploring. Nairobi is a beautiful busy and fast-growing metropolitan. Something which really fascinates me in Kenya, are the matatus, the public buses - Nairobi is full of them. They are crazy pieces of artwork on wheels. The outsides of the busses are decorated with airbrushed images and posters and blinking lights: showing musicians, actors, characters or historical figures. Any TV series, any music artist…. you name it, there will be a Matatu with it on it. On the inside of the buses, there is loud music. In larger matatus the walls are often also decorated with a lot of care. Traveling by bus was very exciting because the bus alone was unique.
What was most memorable during your internship?
What will stay in my memory the most are the people I was allowed to meet and get to know. I will look back on my time in Kenya with a lot of good memories I’m going to miss.
