Back in 2025, we had the incredible opportunity to have Maria Kadralieva as an intern at the Iceland Ocean Cluster while she was studying at the University of Reykjavík.
She graciously gave us a small interview about her time here in Iceland and her experience working with the Cluster.
“I had the incredible opportunity to complete an internship at the Iceland Ocean Cluster during May and part of June. Initially, I had no specific expectations since I was not familiar with the organization or its projects. However, this experience turned out to be far more enriching than I could have imagined.”
“I had the incredible opportunity to complete an internship at the Iceland Ocean Cluster during May and part of June. Initially, I had no specific expectations since I was not familiar with the organization or its projects. However, this experience turned out to be far more enriching than I could have imagined.”
“Working with the Iceland Ocean Cluster allowed me to gain valuable insights into Icelandic economic landscape, the blue economy, and sustainable business practices. I learned how profitability can go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility and resource conservation. The concept of 100% Fish, which focuses on maximizing the utilization of marine resources, was particularly inspiring. I would love to see this approach adopted globally.”
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the people I had the chance to work with. Clara, my mentor, provided guidance and support throughout my project and generously shared her expertise in my field. Alexandra also stood out for her openness and effort to involve me in different aspects of the work, helping me learn as much as possible.”
“What truly inspired me was the entire team’s passion for what they do – this was something you could genuinely feel. Moreover, the broader community within the cluster was welcoming and supportive, making it easy to network and build connections.”
“As a Master’s student in Digital Management and Data Analysis, I was able to work on a project aligned with my studies. This internship helped me bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, and I have already used insights from this experience in my university work.”
“I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.”
Thank you, Maria, for this response. We are very grateful to have you interning with us. We wish you luck in your journey!
Where are they now?
Since her internship, Maria has joined Hefring Marine as a Sales Coordinator, continuing her journey within the Iceland Ocean Cluster community. We are proud to see former interns building careers across our network of member companies.