Internships in London and Marseille: KLU students gain international industry experience
Summer is a time for gaining professional experience. KLU students from different programs are currently putting their newly acquired knowledge into practice during integrated internships at companies in Germany and around the world. Their experiences reflect KLU’s international orientation and its close connection to the logistics and management sectors.
Among them are Simon Morgenstern and Karyna Sarukhanian. While Simon is gaining insights into marine insurance in the City of London, Karyna is supporting shipping and intermodal logistics operations in Marseille.
Marine insurance at the heart of London
Simon is studying for an MSc in International Management at KLU after completing his bachelor’s degree in shipping and trade. Alongside his studies, he works as a junior marine insurance broker.
This summer, he joined the London headquarters of Channing Lucas & Partners, a boutique marine insurance brokerage accredited by Lloyd’s of London, a historical maritime institution founded in 1688. This intern position gives him access to a highly specialized international market and the opportunity to meet key stakeholders in the industry.
“For me, the experience here is one of a kind: working in the heart of the city, meeting various shipowners, brokers, and underwriters for lunch and later watching the World Cup together in a historic pub,” Simon says.
The location also connects his daily work with maritime history. “A fun fact about Lloyd’s: the famous Titanic was insured here, and despite the unthinkable total-loss claim (about £1M at the time, equivalent to ~£124M today), it was paid back to the owners in full within 30 days.”
Beyond the office, Simon has experienced London’s cultural and sporting life, including a visit to Wimbledon. He sees his time abroad as evidence that persistence and the knowledge gained at KLU can open doors even in highly competitive international markets.
Turning shipping data into insights in Marseille
After securing a position as a working student in Hamburg with the Operations and Assets team at the logistics company CMA CGM, Karyna - student of the MSc in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management - is completing her internship in the shipping group’s headquarters in Marseille. Beyond the stunning view of the city from a 33rd floor, Karyna details how she is expanding her practical knowledge: “My work involves analyzing intermodal transport and short-sea shipping data, preparing management reports, and creating data visualizations and dashboards that are actively used by senior management to identify trends, assess performance, and support strategic decisions,” she explains. “It's really rewarding to see how CMA CGM trusts me with work that moves from my spreadsheets to high-level discussions.”
A highlight in her experience so far was the inauguration of the large container vessel CMA CGM Notre Dame, which Karyna and her colleagues followed live. Outside the office, Marseille offers a distinctly Mediterranean internship experience: “It is almost impossible not to enjoy life here: juicy fruit, sunny days, freshly caught fish, spectacular sunsets, and a sea nearly as warm as my laptop after an entire day of working in Excel.”
Connecting academic learning and real-world practice
Experiences such as these connect academic learning with professional practice. They also embody KLU’s commitment to internationality, responsibility, and strong cooperation with the logistics and management community.
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