From April to late June 2025, DOM UK has been pleased to host Mathias Hérissé, an intern from the Institute of Higher Education Sainte-Marie in Bourges, France.
As many of our social media followers will know, DOM UK has welcomed several interns over the past two years. Supporting young professionals at the start of their careers is something we are proud to do. These placements allow us to share knowledge while also benefiting from fresh ideas and perspectives.
During his time with us, Mathias has contributed positively to our marketing activity with enthusiasm, creativity, and a willingness to learn. He has been a valued part of the team, showing strong communication skills and a keen interest in the wider security industry.
In addition to developing his professional experience, Mathias has embraced the opportunity to improve his English and explore UK culture. As a passionate linguist and traveller, he has made the most of his time both inside and outside the office.
As part of his course requirements, we interviewed Mathias to reflect on his experience at DOM UK and his time in the UK overall.
Why did you choose to do your internship at DOM UK?
“To be honest, it was a previous DOM intern, Salomé Nicolas who gave me the contact to apply for this experience, she told me that it was a superb company to visit when you study international business. It is located in the UK, which allows me to discover business practises, especially in England, while developing my language skills in a professional context.
DOM UK operates in a multicultural environment and offers a varied commercial activity, which is ideal for putting into practice the concepts I have learned during my studies, such as prospecting, customer relationship management or market analysis. Doing this internship is also a real opportunity to better understand cultural differences in the business world because after my studies I would like to live and work in London, improve my professional communication, and gain autonomy.”
Can you tell us a bit about your studies and experience before coming to DOM UK?
“Before starting my studies, I was in high school, and I obtained my Baccalaureate. I am currently studying a post A-Level course in International Trade and after 2-years I would like to be able to apply to business school. Before coming to England to do my internship, I worked at Carrefour (A French Supermarket) on weekends and holidays around my studies, to save money for my trip!”
What skills would you like to improve or develop during your time with us?
“During my stay at DOM UK, I would like to develop several skills, both professional and personal. Firstly, I would like to deepen my linguistic skills in English, because evolving in an English-speaking environment is an excellent opportunity to progress. I would also like to improve my ability to work in a multicultural environment and strengthen my autonomy, my initiative, my creativity and my way of solving problems in an international professional setting. Finally, I want to discover and adapt to British working methods, especially in terms of project management or customer relations, which is very rewarding in an international career.”
How do you like to spend your free time?
“As mentioned earlier, I worked for a long time at a local Supermarket to save money which I could use to travel during the internship. In my free time I enjoy English Cities, in particular I have a passion for London, and have visited most weekends during this period. I have fallen in love with this city and my dream is to stay there indefinitely! I also visited Oxford, I found that there is a lot more to this city than just the University it has an incredible history and has a beautiful, medieval history.”
What has your experience been like living and working in the UK so far?
“My experience of living and working in the United Kingdom so far has been very rewarding, both professionally and personally. Living in England allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture, significantly improve my English and better understand cultural differences, even though the beginning was complicated because it takes time to adapt to the language and lifestyle.
Within the company, I discovered a very collaborative work environment, where personal initiative is encouraged. I learned to adapt quickly to new work tools, to manage my priorities independently and to communicate in English with my colleagues. This experience has made me more confident about my future, more adaptable and more open to working in international trade.”
What are your goals or dreams for the future?
“It is difficult for me to know what I would like to do later, but the marketing and management sector interests me a lot. After my post A-Level course in international trade, I would like to attend a business school in France, and I hope that this will allow me to have an opportunity to come and live and work in London indefinitely.”
Do you have any advice for other students considering an internship abroad?
“My first advice would be not to hesitate to get out of your comfort zone. Doing an internship abroad is a very rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. We learn not only a new way of working, but also a new culture, another language, and above all, we gain a lot of autonomy and self-confidence.
My second piece of advice would be to prepare well before leaving: learn about the culture of the country, the company's expectations, the cost of living, and especially to have a good level of English or at least the motivation to progress quickly. Once there, you must remain open, curious, and not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. It is also important to join the team, participate in discussions, even informal ones, and take advantage of opportunities to practice the language.
Finally, I advise you to keep a positive attitude: the more you invest, the more you withdraw from the internship. It is a unique experience that must be fully lived.”
If you are interested in an Internship with DOM, get in touch, as we are always taking applications for a good fit within the team. You can get in touch Careers.
