Luse and Ransom, fourth-year IT undergraduates at the University of Lusaka, and Christopher and Gertrude, master’s students in economics at the University of Zambia began their internships in 2026 through the B360 programme. They were placed in IT, Compliance, and HR respectively. Each brought curiosity, capability, and a sense of responsibility to represent their communities, aiming not just to learn, but to contribute and return home with purpose.

Yet this story isn’t just theirs. It also belongs to the mentors who guide, the teams who support, and the alumni who live the programme’s promise. Here, their voices join the narrative – revealing the enduring impact of the B360 and Julius Baer partnership.

Finding clarity in discipline and detail

Luse describes her internship at Julius Baer as one of the most profound experiences of her life, reshaping her work ethics and broadening her worldview.

From day one, she was struck by the discipline shown by colleagues. “Seeing how people work with such focus inspired me,” she admits. “It has pushed me to believe that I can achieve just as much with dedication.” Cultural shifts followed; adjusting to Swiss punctuality took time. But soon, she valued the order it created. “Everything runs on time – people, meetings, transport. It makes life so much easier.” 

Her biggest lesson came in cybersecurity. “I never realised how vital digital security really is,” she confesses. “Simple mistakes can expose you. Online vigilance isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Beyond expectations

Christopher imagined Swiss finance to be reserved, but what he found was “collaborative, dynamic, and surprisingly warm.”

In Compliance, where ambiguity poses risk, he discovered that reviewing alerts feels like “detective work with real stakes”. From the first day, he felt included: team lunches, comprehensive explanations of industry regulations, and meetings ending with a genuine ‘Any questions, Chris?’ 

Most liberating was the culture of inquiry. “Back home, hierarchy often silences asking ‘why?’ Here, questions aren’t challenges – they’re contributions. That freedom fuels growth.”

From doubt to belonging

Ransom remembers his first week in Zurich as overwhelming – adjusting to a new country, new colleagues, and biting winter cold. “I wondered if this was how the whole three months would feel,” he recalls.

After fully integrating into his host family and teams at work, he takes pride in how smoothly he has adapted. Evening meals became moments of connection, where everyone listened to his daily experiences. Outside work, the Julius Baer B360 organising team deepened his sense of belonging through activities, such as ice skating and group lunches, where stories crossed cultures effortlessly.

Today, Ransom admires Swiss working life, far from the stiff formality he expected. “People are approachable, collaboration happens naturally, and flexibility actually increases productivity,” he says. The focus on quality over rushed timelines reshaped his mindset. Through structured planning and intentional breaks, he learned that clarity and care yield better outcomes than constant pressure. “I’m looking forward to bringing this sense of balance home,” he adds. “Not just the skills but the spirit underpinning them.’

Discovering purpose in development

I’m Gertrude, author of this article, an educator, mentor, and entrepreneur, passionate about how learning and exposure can transform lives.

Being among the top one per cent of my economics class at the University of Zambia, I earned a Central Bank of Zambia sponsorship for my master’s. Despite academic success, I struggled with uncertainty and no clear path. I applied to the B360 programme to gain clarity through international exposure and new perspectives.

At the Julius Baer Academy, I was welcomed as a contributor, not just an intern. Trusted with meaningful work – from research to engagement with leadership – I grew more confident and gained new skills. My vision is clear now: to grow my evolving tutoring platform, into a hub for corporate training and youth empowerment in Zambia. This internship empowered me to believe that my dreams are achievable. I will return home with purpose, ready to uplift, equip, and inspire.

An investment with a ripple effect 

As a long-standing partner, Julius Baer is proud of the impact the B360 programme has had. “Far from a recruitment tool, B360 drives transformation. Interns gain skills, confidence, and global perspective, then return home as changemakers tackling issues like youth unemployment. This directly reflects the bank’s commitment to global citizenship and inclusive opportunity,” comment Dominique and Henrike, B360 programme coordinators at Julius Baer.

Florence, a 2024 Compliance intern, now lectures at the University of Lusaka and serves as its B360 coordinator. She is now co-developing a fiscal decentralisation training module with the Zambian government and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), applying governance insights from her Julius Baer internship. “The programme profoundly influenced my career,” she says. “It strengthened my analytical skills, exposed me to global financial systems, and broadened my perspective on professionalism and cross-cultural collaboration. And now, I’m passing that on.”

Similarly, Alicia, a 2024 IT intern, returned to Zambia and joined a local bank’s technology division, where she applies insights into fintech and payment systems from her internship. “The B360 programme shaped my path into IT,” she says. “It helped me understand how to use my skills professionally,” she adds. “Now, I’m building something tangible back home.”

But these impressive stories wouldn’t exist if internal teams at the bank didn’t take on interns. The IT Service Continuity Management team, which hosted Ransom, speaks with conviction about their ongoing engagement. “We decided to support another intern based on last year’s positive experience,” explains Wajma, the team head. “Fresh perspectives strengthen our teams. The cross-cultural learning potential for the interns as well as the hosts is invaluable.” 

But most importantly, she says, “we believe in the programme’s mission, giving talented African students real international exposure. That’s worth repeating.”