April 2024: Alex Joost is an associate in the Financial Restructuring & Insolvency Practice in White & Case's Hamburg office. He reports back on his three months' overseas experience in our New York office.
Experiencing different cultures while working abroad is exciting
In New York, I met many interesting people and built valuable connections through networking. I highly recommend it and would do it again in a heartbeat.
All of the city's boroughs are very diverse, each with their own microcosms. My first impression of New York was that the city really is a melting pot of different people and cultures living together.
The law is different, but the working culture is the same
The obvious difference between the US and Germany is the legal system in the US, but the corporate culture is not that different. It's a One Firm/One Team concept where everyone helps each other out and ultimately focuses together on the same goal. One major difference between the offices in Germany and New York is the size of the New York office—it's impossible to get to know everyone. The Hamburg office is a lot smaller, which I personally prefer.
Working overseas helps build both intercultural and soft skills
I think the exposure to different cultures inevitably leads to recognizing one's own culturally conditioned behavior and ultimately fosters the ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds.
This is an inclusive Firm
Regarding work, it didn't matter that I was coming from an overseas office—I was assigned to a particular client matter and was able to participate equally. The workplace culture is very inclusive, meaning that everyone I met was helpful regarding work issues and willing to help integrate me into the team.
The work was fulfilling and satisfying
A professional high point was being involved in the restructuring matter I was assigned to. It encompassed numerous topics that I delved into when writing my PhD thesis—to be able to have a front-row seat and see these topics "live in action" was very exciting.
Outside of work, my time in New York was thrilling
One of my personal highlights was running the Brooklyn half-marathon, after spending many hours running in Central Park before work or on the weekends. I'm also already missing the "speakeasy bars" in New York. Another highlight was "La Traviata" at the Met Opera. Also unmatched is the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
