From Manhattan to Zurich

For most accounting students, a summer internship means long hours in a local office, learning the ropes of audit work close to home. For Alexa Palmer, a Master of Accountancy student at Kansas State University, it meant trading the Kansas City skyline for the Swiss Alps and gaining a unique perspective on the global reach of the accounting profession.

Palmer recently completed KPMG's highly competitive Global Internship Program, one of only 27 students selected from a pool of more than 500 applicants. Her summer took her from KPMG's Kansas City office, where she worked in financial services, to Zurich, Switzerland, where she audited clients in aerospace and defense and sports licensing. It was an experience she describes as transformative and one she almost didn't let herself hope for.

A spark in Washington, D.C.

Palmer's path to Zurich began during a group trip to KPMG's Washington, D.C. office with the Herbel Fellows, a program through K-State's Herbel Family School of Accountancy. She had already been connecting with KPMG recruiters through College of Business events since her freshman year, but it was during that D.C. visit that she first heard about the Global Internship Program.

“I immediately perked up,” Palmer said. “I have always had a passion for international travel as well as accounting, so being able to combine the two was something I was very interested in.”

That interest was well-supported by her academic path. Palmer earned a certificate in International Business through the K-State College of Business, completed a study abroad experience in Alicante, Spain, and minored in Spanish, a combination that made her a strong candidate and, more importantly, gave her the confidence to apply.

“The biggest way that K-State helped me with this program is by getting me connected and introduced to the company and recruiters at KPMG,” she said. “I became involved with KPMG as early as freshman year, which helped me feel more confident in my application.”

An unexpected cherry on top

When Palmer started college, an international internship wasn't on her radar. Study abroad, yes. A global professional placement? That felt out of reach.

“I never thought that an internship abroad would be possible or even available to me,” she said. “I was surprised to find out that KPMG offered a global rotation to interns, and that they prioritized giving those types of experiences to students, as well as full-time staff.”

The odds were steep. With only 27 spots available out of more than 500 applicants, Palmer tried to keep her expectations in check throughout the recruitment process. “I tried not to get my hopes up until the end of the recruitment cycle,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful that I got to participate.”

Two countries, multiple industries

Palmer's internship spanned two cities and three industries. In Kansas City, she worked in financial services. In Zurich, she transitioned to aerospace and defense and sports licensing, a shift that might sound jarring, but one she navigated with the help of strong engagement teams on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Auditing is a unique career path in that it allows you to get an inside look into a variety of different businesses,” she said. “Instead of choosing one company and sticking to it, you have the opportunity to be exposed to a multitude of industries.”

One moment stood out during her Zurich rotation. “I did get the chance to walk into a few large aircraft in the middle of their manufacturing cycle, which was really cool to see,” she said with a laugh. “I've never seen so many wires in my life!”

Despite geographic and industry differences, Palmer found the firm's core work and culture to be remarkably consistent. Her Zurich clients were U.S.-based companies with Swiss offices or subsidiaries, meaning her domestic audit experience translated directly. “I was ultimately shown the same people and firm in both places,” she said.

Life in Switzerland

Beyond the office, Palmer immersed herself in Swiss culture and found it refreshingly different from life in the U.S.

Public transportation replaced car ownership entirely. Standing desks, a workplace luxury in America, are legally required in Switzerland. Afternoon gelato breaks and lengthy coffee chats with coworkers were standard. Teams regularly ate together outside in large groups and after-work socials were common.

“The work culture has a more relaxed edge to it,” Palmer said. She also noticed a strong emphasis on wellness, environmentalism and travel. Small fountains offering fresh mountain water dot the country, providing a cool drink during the summer heat. Recycling options are abundant and single-use items are far less common.

Perhaps most striking was how well-traveled everyone around her was. “I was shocked by the number of expats and the array of countries they had been to before,” she said. “Naturally, it is much easier to travel with so many neighboring countries.”

What comes next

The internship didn't just broaden Palmer's worldview; it secured her professional future. She has accepted a full-time offer with KPMG as an audit associate in their Kansas City office, beginning next fall.

“This experience enabled me to accept that offer with confidence that the firm provides global opportunities for those who seek them,” she said.

She plans to continue traveling the world outside of work and hopes to pursue further global rotations as her career progresses.

Advice for K-State students

For students who dream of combining their professional ambitions with international experience, Palmer's advice is straightforward: start networking early, build a resume that reflects your global interests and don't be afraid to ask firms directly about their programs.

“Getting connected with those companies and asking them about their programs is a great way to show interest in participating,” she said. For her, that meant a language minor, a study abroad experience and the International Business certificate, but she's quick to note that for students who are genuinely passionate about international work, those additions don't feel like extra effort. “They are part of the passion,” she said.

“Our goal in the MAcc program is to do more than prepare students for their first job; we want to connect them with opportunities that challenge them, broaden their perspective, and help them see just how far an accounting career can take them,” said Sarah Ramirez-Mathews, Koch Industries MAcc Director. “Alexa is a great example of what can happen when students embrace those opportunities, build relationships and have the confidence to pursue something big. We are incredibly proud of Alexa and the way she has represented the Herbel Family School of Accountancy.”