From Buenos Aires to Osnabrueck, Virginia Serrano Prieto’s story is one of curiosity, courage and growth. Starting her Hellmann journey in Argentina in 2021 as an HR intern, she quickly discovered her passion for talent development and international collaboration. What began with supporting recruitment, communications and leadership programs across the Americas has now taken her all the way to Germany, where she works as Regional Talent and Development Specialist for the West Europe Region.

Hi Virginia, what motivated you to go to Germany?

I actually heard about this opportunity when the internal posting first came up, but at the time, I was in the middle of finishing my bachelor’s thesis and wanted to fully focus on that before taking such a big step. 

So I had to turn it down. When the opportunity came up again later, the timing was perfect. I had already been thinking about gaining international work experience, and this role aligned exactly with what I had been doing in the Americas. I had also been learning German for a while now, so it was a great chance to improve my language skills. When my current manager, Marian Lehmann, reached out again and even remembered our earlier conversation, I couldn’t say no!

Has it been easy for you to integrate into your new work environment and the new country?

Yes, very much so. From day one, everyone has been incredibly kind and supportive. I really enjoy working at the Speicher III (name of a building) office in Osnabrueck. Every day I run into different colleagues, which makes it easy to connect with others and feel part of the team. The work culture made the transition really smooth for me.

What do you miss most from home?

There’s a lot I miss from Argentina, especially the unique culture and food. If I had to choose one thing, it would be my mom’s cooking, like her empanadas and amazing risotto. I also miss my cats and my friends, of course. But it’s nice to experience a bit of both worlds.

What do you love most about living in Germany?

How close and accessible everything is! The Deutschlandticket, a monthly public transport pass valid for trains, buses, and trams across Germany, is my best friend! It’s so easy to travel and explore different cities with it. Coming from a big city like Buenos Aires, it’s difficult to get from one province to another quickly. But here, I can hop on a train and explore new cities anytime. I also really enjoy the nature. Osnabrueck is full of green spaces, which is a wonderful contrast to where I come from.

How does a perfect day off look like for you in Germany?

My perfect day off would be taking a train in the morning and visiting a new city. So far, I’ve been to Münster, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Berlin and I’m not done yet! I love discovering new places, exploring the city, and of course, stopping by a bakery for a pretzel or a pastry. Later in the day, I enjoy coming back to Osnabrueck, walking through the city center, finding a quiet bench, and reading a good book. 

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we say goodbye?

Yes, I would really like to thank Priscila Rodriguez and Marian Lehmann for believing in me and making this opportunity possible. When Marian considered me for the position, he remembered our conversation months earlier and didn’t doubt about it. He kept his word and reached out when the timing was right. I’m also incredibly thankful for the entire HR team. Their kindness and support made this experience even more special.

Thanks a lot for sharing your story with us, Virginia!