Software development in Germany

Guilherme Riato
From Portugal (D.1960) to Germany(D.1842).

Hi! My name is Guilherme Riato, I am 21 years old, and I’m originally from Brazil. Currently, Ilive in Cascais, Portugal and in 2024 I had the amazing opportunity to do an internship in Munich,Germany and live there from August 8th until September 25th.Internship ExperienceFrom August to end of September, I worked as a Backend Developer Intern at Dontenwill AG, atechnology consulting company specializing in ERP software for industries like medical technology, mechanical engineering, and electronics. During my internship, I contributed to developing a resource management tool, worked with Kotlin and SQL, and learned a lot about software development in a professional environment. I really enjoyed the chance to work independently, solve real-world challenges, and be part of a welcoming team.

Exploring Munich and Germany

I arrived in Munich a few days before my internship started on August 8th, 2024, which gave me some time to explore the city and travel around Germany. I stayed at Thomas’s house, a wonderful host with a incredibly kind family. They made me feel at home and treated me like part of family, and I am very grateful for the time I spent with them. I miss everyone a lot! During my stay, I cooked a Brazilian lunch for Thomas, his family, and some friends, preparing feijão tropeiro, pão de queijo, and brigadeiro. It was a wonderful experience sharing my culture through food, and everyone really enjoyed it.

I took 9 days to travel around Germany before my internship started. I traveled by train to Berlin for four days, which felt very different from Munich, but was an amazing, lively city full of museums and parties. After that, I visited Hamburg for three days, another unique and beautiful city. On the way back to Munich, I took regional trains, passing through several small towns and even stopped in Frankfurt for a night.

Outdoor Adventures and Sightseeing

Bavaria is breathtakingly beautiful. I went hiking in the mountains, explored numerous beer gardens, and took day trips to Tegernsee and Eibsee, which were incredibly stunning. I also visited the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, definitely a must-see!

After work, I loved exploring Munich. I usually finished work around 5:30 PM and often visited the Englischer Garten, my favorite place in the city, full of life, sports, and even a river to cool off in.

Cultural and Social Experiences

I also participated in events organized by Rotary, helping with weekly dinners, student presentations, and even a charity art auction. Dontenwill AG had a summer event where we went canoeing at Starnbergersee, followed by a team lunch. It was a lot of fun, and I am grateful for their hospitality. Before returning to Portugal, I experienced Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. It was an unforgettable festival, full of attractions, beer, and amazing energy. I even wore the traditional lederhosen, which made the experience even more authentic and memorable. Truly a life experience I hope to repeat.

Conclusion

My time in Munich was incredible. I made friends, had a lot of fun, and gained valuable professional experience. I highly recommend the NGSE program to anyone who wants to explore, grow personally, and immerse themselves in a unique cultural experience.

Guilherme Riato