Andrea Wiethoff has been working at the SPK since 2024 and has been employed as a foreign language assistant in the reception area of the SPK’s Media, Communication and Events Department since September 2025. Her favourite place: the Ibero-American Institute.
The Ibero-American Institute (IAI) is a multidisciplinary, non-university institution dedicated to the humanities, cultural studies and social sciences. As an area studies institution, it has a regional focus – Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal – whilst also taking into account transregional interconnections. The equal integration of different areas of work under one roof – collections, research and events – defines the Institute’s unique profile.
© Ibero-American Institute, Photo: Laurin Schmid / bundesfoto
What is the exact title of your job, how long have you been at the SPK and what are your tasks?
On the one hand, I deal with the usual secretarial tasks in the office of our media director Ingolf Kern, whose working day I coordinate. I also provide organisational support to the head of department, e.g. with press invitations and press conferences, and am the first point of contact for press enquiries. In general, I take on various tasks for the press office. A normal working day begins with thorough media monitoring for the entire SPK. I then often send press releases to representatives of the press. The great thing about my work is that I get to know all of the SPK's facilities and can take a look behind the scenes.
What is your favourite place in the SPK, why and what do you like doing there the most?
During my time as a student (Romance Studies and Art History at the FU Berlin), I spent many hours at the Ibero-American Institute(IAI). It was like my second living room back then. I also feel so closely connected to the institute because I was delighted to find all the knowledge I needed to write my master's thesis there.
The IAI's 2026 motto "Researching together, experiencing culture(s) and learning from each other" is an important message that I also take to heart in my life. You can learn so much from other cultures.
When I threw myself into professional life after graduating and started working as a translator and cultural manager, among other things, I unfortunately didn't come to the IAI as often - but that's about to change again! The Scharoun Building alone, especially the Simón Bolívar Hall with its fantastic lamps in the foyer and the reading room with its beautiful open staircase, is well worth a visit. But of course, as a passionate Spanish and Portuguese speaker, I find the IAI programme particularly exciting.
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