10 Monate Praktikum bei chinkilla

Blog Post by Laureen Walter

10 Months of Internship at chinkilla – An Experience I Will Always Hold Close to My Heart

For my Master’s degree in Linguistics at the University of Paderborn, a mandatory internship of over 300 hours was required. It quickly became clear to me: if I’m going to invest that much time, it should be in something where I not only grow professionally but also enjoy the work.

By a lucky coincidence, I ended up at chinkilla – and both from the very beginning and looking back, there couldn’t have been a better place for my internship. As a child, I had already done two years of karate, and in the summer of 2023, I signed up again at the studio – this time for kickboxing. Through Franca, whom I knew from university and who has been working at chinkilla since 2021, I got in touch with the team. From the very first conversation at the HQ, I was warmly welcomed and immediately had the feeling that I was in good hands. Dani and Franca create an open, warm atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable right away. Thanks to the flat hierarchies at chinkilla, it was clear from the beginning that everyone works together as equals. From day one, I didn’t feel like “just the intern” – I felt like a real part of the team.

My daily tasks during the internship spanned various areas. From researching new social media trends, visually designing Instagram stories, posts, and reels, to writing texts in both German and English, and shadowing at events – I was able to broaden my skillset in many ways.

During my time at chinkilla, I contributed to the content on our social media channels – especially Instagram. Creativity was always key: designing stories, writing fitting texts, choosing visuals, and incorporating interactive features like polls were all part of my daily routine. The goal was always to create content that stands out, informs, and still captures the typical chinkilla vibe. What I found especially exciting was the variety of topics: announcements for new collections or bootcamps, giveaways, behind-the-scenes insights, or my own concept for a trail run – I had the freedom to fully unleash my creativity. Writing captions and posts was also part of my job, always with the goal of exciting our community while reaching new followers. I regularly sought inspiration on Instagram and TikTok, drawing ideas from other brands and martial artists. This research helped me develop fresh concepts and assess whether chinkilla might even be setting new trends. Another highlight: I got to actively contribute to the development of new collections, searching for colors and patterns and comparing designs. I was especially thrilled to be allowed to name the latest boxing wraps in the chinkilla lineup.

Beyond social media, I also worked on content for the chinkilla website. The focus was primarily on product texts in German and English. It wasn’t just about conveying information – it was about capturing chinkilla’s tone consistently in both languages. I quickly realized how much sensitivity is required to ensure that nothing gets lost in translation – not the message, not the vibe. I also created and updated new content about bootcamps and competitions – always in both languages. The goal was to reach an international community and present the events in an engaging way. I noticed early on: it’s not enough to just translate text. To really work, the tone in both languages has to be just right, match the brand, and speak directly to the audience. That’s exactly what made this work so exciting for me.

One of the biggest highlights of my internship was being able to attend some of the events in person and see my written texts come to life as actual bootcamps or tournaments. I was on-site, for example, at the FightCation in Austria in August 2024 and the Ultimate Badass Tournament in Berlin in November 2024. These events not only gave me fascinating behind-the-scenes insights – from livestream technology and guest/fighter support to general planning and execution – but also offered a great opportunity to make valuable connections. I was also actively involved in tackling spontaneous challenges as part of the team – a particularly intense and rewarding experience.

One thing that impressed me again and again throughout my internship at chinkilla was the extraordinary team spirit. There was a family-like atmosphere where no one was ever left to deal with things alone. Whether it was big projects or sudden challenges – we handled everything together. The mutual support was always tangible, and that’s what made working together so special.

Looking back on my internship at chinkilla, I can say: my expectations weren’t just met – they were exceeded in many ways. Even in the first few days, I realized I had found exactly the mix I was hoping for: working independently, learning new things, and growing personally. This combination continually motivated me to give my best in every task and to approach everything with care and dedication. The team, the atmosphere, and the message behind the chinkilla brand already speak for themselves – but I truly can’t recommend enough that others experience it for themselves.