Wittenborg Student Bhuvanesh Vemulapalli Gains Sustainability Experience at IKEA

14.11.2025

Internship Supervised by Wittenborg Graduate Somayyeh Nowroozi Offers Valuable Opportunities

By pursuing an internship at IKEA, Wittenborg student Bhuvanesh Vemulapalli managed to develop a wide range of professional skills while contributing to the company’s sustainability and circular economy initiatives.

Originally from India, Bhuvanesh is currently pursuing an MBM in Digital Marketing & Communication at Wittenborg. He began his internship at IKEA in March and completed it in October. Reflecting on how he secured this opportunity, he emphasised the value of networking, which opened the door to one of the world’s most recognised brands.

As a Sustainability and Waste Management Intern, Bhuvanesh’s responsibilities were diverse. He worked on projects involving sustainability and circular economy principles, waste reduction, data analysis and reporting, community and social impact, as well as green initiatives coordination. “Every day brought something new. Everything was enjoyable because it was challenging. The biggest challenge was earning people’s trust, answering questions like why I was there and what I was doing. But once trust was built, the collaboration became incredibly rewarding,” Bhuvanesh said.

During the internship, he developed practical expertise in areas such as recycling strategies, sustainability metrics, creative problem-solving, stakeholder engagement and policy implementation. “This experience has made my professional profile stronger and greatly improved my communication skills,” he shared.

Bhuvanesh’s supervisor, Somayyeh Nowroozi, who completed an MBA in Education at Wittenborg and now works as Product Quality & Recovery Manager at IKEA, praised his performance. “Bhuvanesh has strong communication skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, which are assets to the company,” she commented. “He also thinks creatively, which allows him to develop innovative solutions. Moreover, his ethical and professional behaviour really stand out.”

Having been a Wittenborg student herself, Somayyeh understands the academic and personal growth students seek through internships. “Networking works very well in the Netherlands, and I try to help interns build their relationship skills. My background at Wittenborg helps me support them in bridging theory and practice,” she noted.

For Bhuvanesh, having a Wittenborg alumna as his supervisor made the experience even more meaningful. “One word for Somayyeh: everything,” he said. “She’s been a mentor, leader, friend and guide – always there, always inspiring.”

As he looks ahead, Bhuvanesh plans to continue exploring roles that combine impact, strategy and growth with sustainability, innovation and leadership at their core. He encourages fellow students to embrace internship opportunities and be open to learning and challenges.