How does a spring business trip to Portugal sound, combining professional growth, cultural encounters and amazing culinary experiences? Here are my experiences from Mipro’s international project, where I had the opportunity to deepen my expertise in safety automation.
My business trip took me to Portugal, close to a town near Porto. When I arrived in Portugal in mid-February, the temperature was a pleasant +18°C. My flight landed at Lisbon Airport, where I rented a car for the duration of the work trip. On the way to my destination, the lampposts were adorned with stork nests. The traffic culture was quite different from that in Finland, as the driving style was erratic and speeds were high, so both drivers and pedestrians needed to be extra cautious. The commissioning, which was the main purpose of the trip, was originally scheduled for three weeks. However, the work progressed faster than planned and in the end, the trip lasted about two weeks.
A deeper dive into safety automation
I started working at Mipro in 2021, after spending eight years in diverse process industry projects, such as power plant and pulp industry initiatives. When I moved to Mipro, I wanted to deepen my expertise specifically in safety automation and in my current role, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on that. The safety automation upgrade project for a soda recovery boiler in Portugal was one of those opportunities to apply and expand my skills in the field.
At times, the workdays stretched to 11 hours and we worked six days a week. The pace was intense but efficient. Long days required careful pacing, managing my own energy levels and the ability to recover quickly. In return, the fast tempo enabled an efficient commissioning process and allowed the project to be completed ahead of schedule. The fieldwork emphasised collaboration with representatives of the client organisation, making the work highly interactive and requiring quick responses and decision-making in dynamic situations.
Working across borders – learning and insights
Business trips abroad can significantly promote professional development in many ways. They offer opportunities to build connections with international colleagues, clients and partners. Traveling to a new environment and facing different situations enhances adaptability, stress tolerance and problem-solving skills. In addition, participating in international projects provides up-to-date knowledge of industry developments and makes it possible to bring new ideas back to your own organisation.
The trip gave me the opportunity to connect with a wide range of professionals in the field, from local technical experts to project stakeholders and other partners. Conversations about different working models and methods offered new perspectives on my own work and broadened my understanding of the roles various professionals play within a project. The local working culture was smooth and the factory staff was extremely friendly. My contribution was clearly appreciated and the assignment was both professionally successful and personally memorable.
Portuguese food culture – part of the charm of the business trip
Food was, of course, one of the highlights of the trip. Portuguese cuisine is a blend of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and overseas spices. The culinary experiences offered a way to explore Portuguese culture through its flavors. After the workday, we often headed to a restaurant with colleagues for dinner. The local food culture leans toward late evening meals and is quite meat-heavy. In Portugal, a beef steak is often served with a fried egg on top.
The commissioning process highlighted the importance of planning
I learned a great deal about executing a project in an international environment. The project was developed in phases for nearly a year before the actual commissioning took place in Portugal. In the early stages of the project, having accurate initial data is essential, as it ensures high-quality planning. The commissioning phase, in turn, is the moment when the quality of that planning is put to the test. It was rewarding to see how careful planning ultimately led to a successful commissioning.
My tips for international work assignments:
- Keep an open mind: A new culture comes with different ways of working. Don’t be intimidated, rather see it as a chance to learn.
- Prepare well: Find out routes, contact information and local practices well in advance.
- Remember to recharge: Even though it’s work, immersing yourself in the local culture helps you keep going.
- Communicate boldly: Different work styles or language barriers aren’t obstacles when you discuss things openly.
Would you be interested in joining international projects where you can make an impact, learn and grow? At Mipro, real opportunities are available. Read more about our career opportunities: https://mipro.fi/en/careers/
Author
Pekka Rajaniemi
Design Engineer