Edgar Granell, Patricia Solsona and Anna Esteller.
As some of you already know, we are Edgar, Patricia and Anna, 3 students of Administration and Finance who were the lucky ones, and were able to enjoy the Erasmus+ experience this academic year 2021-22.
At the beginning, when we were given the option of going on Erasmus, none of us had considered doing an internship abroad, but as the days went by, it became increasingly clear to us that we didn’t want to miss out an opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime. So, when they gave us the news, we were very happy, and we chose Malta as our destination. They tell you that you’re going to a beautiful island for two months, to live a lot of experiences and learn to work on what you’ve studied, in a different language and with colleagues you already know. Nothing could go wrong, but in our case, when we had to leave our home, where we lived with all the comforts, which was our comfort zone where we were used to living; it was difficult, it was a big change. There, we no longer had our family to help us with any problem; they weren’t there physically, however, we talked to them online. At the same time, we also had the support of Ana and Vicent who provided us with the help we needed in the best possible way and without asking for anything in return.
We will never forget the moment when we took the plane to Malta. We had been the previous days without sleeping, with all the final exams and that combination of emotions that we felt knowing that those were the last days in Spain. On 2nd March, we said goodbye to our family and friends. We were scared to undertake this adventure because, in our case, it was all new; but at the same time, we were excited to start that journey. We arrived in Malta at midday, and the first week we lived in an Airbnb house that we had booked in the Pietà area for a week.
We immediately realised that everything was different. We had a different perspective of Malta from the one we actually found there. Everything was very different from Spain. At that moment, we realised what a step forward we had taken. It was when we woke up from the dream we had had, and we had a glimpse of reality. The people, the culture, the customs, the streets…, everything was different.
The first two weeks were very hard. You miss your friends, your family…, and maybe for some of you, the first weeks will also be hard if you go on Erasmus because you have to adapt to a new country, the language, the homesickness, the feeling of living in an independent way…
The rest of the stay there was incredible because in the residence where we lived the rest of the time, there were two Spanish guys and we became very good friends and made all our plans together.
In the company where we did our internship, they integrated us in the best way they could have done. We were more and more comfortable every day, we met a lot of people, and they made everything very easy for us.
However, it wasn’t all studying and training. We also went to parties, visited beaches and incredible places that Malta has to offer. We arrived at the residence and played music, and danced around the kitchen while we were preparing dinner with our flatmates.
But what happens when you have to go back? We had never felt like that before. It was happiness and sadness at the same time. We wanted to go back home, but at the same time we didn’t want to leave all that we had built such as the new friends and the comforts we had achieved during the two months. We were used to living there.
We were also sad because we didn’t know if we would ever see again all the people with whom we had made a great friendship, and we assure you that they will always have a place in our hearts because thanks to them it has been an unforgettable experience, and we will always remember them for accompanying us on this adventure.
Do you know what happens with good things, don’t you? They always come to an end. Of course, arriving in Spain was a surprise. Nobody knew that we were coming back, and that we had advanced our flight; neither our friends nor our relatives, not even our teachers…
When we arrived home, the face of our parents, brothers and sisters…. was of surprise. They couldn’t believe it. We were at home. We were there in front of their eyes, but we also have to say that even we didn’t believe that we were already in Spain. And the best thing? That everything was in its place. Everything was where you had left it. Nothing had changed. Well yes, we had changed. This experience has helped us to mature, to grow, to know ourselves. We returned home very happy.
Are you worried about the language? Well, forget that thought because we were also scared about it, and in the end you end up understanding people, you end up improving the language and people always try helping you. We met people there who, when they arrived, communicated almost in sign language (and we have to tell you that we sometimes did it too), and do you know what? It doesn’t matter, after a little over a month, we already had basic conversations. Everything there improves, both skills and the way of watching life. So, don’t be afraid, don’t miss this opportunity. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Edgar Granell, Patricia Solsona and Anna Esteller.
As some of you already know, we are Edgar, Patricia and Anna, 3 students of Administration and Finance who were the lucky ones, and were able to enjoy the Erasmus+ experience this academic year 2021-22.
At the beginning, when we were given the option of going on Erasmus, none of us had considered doing an internship abroad, but as the days went by, it became increasingly clear to us that we didn’t want to miss out an opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime. So, when they gave us the news, we were very happy, and we chose Malta as our destination. They tell you that you’re going to a beautiful island for two months, to live a lot of experiences and learn to work on what you’ve studied, in a different language and with colleagues you already know. Nothing could go wrong, but in our case, when we had to leave our home, where we lived with all the comforts, which was our comfort zone where we were used to living; it was difficult, it was a big change. There, we no longer had our family to help us with any problem; they weren’t there physically, however, we talked to them online. At the same time, we also had the support of Ana and Vicent who provided us with the help we needed in the best possible way and without asking for anything in return.
We will never forget the moment when we took the plane to Malta. We had been the previous days without sleeping, with all the final exams and that combination of emotions that we felt knowing that those were the last days in Spain. On 2nd March, we said goodbye to our family and friends. We were scared to undertake this adventure because, in our case, it was all new; but at the same time, we were excited to start that journey. We arrived in Malta at midday, and the first week we lived in an Airbnb house that we had booked in the Pietà area for a week.
We immediately realised that everything was different. We had a different perspective of Malta from the one we actually found there. Everything was very different from Spain. At that moment, we realised what a step forward we had taken. It was when we woke up from the dream we had had, and we had a glimpse of reality. The people, the culture, the customs, the streets…, everything was different.
The first two weeks were very hard. You miss your friends, your family…, and maybe for some of you, the first weeks will also be hard if you go on Erasmus because you have to adapt to a new country, the language, the homesickness, the feeling of living in an independent way…
The rest of the stay there was incredible because in the residence where we lived the rest of the time, there were two Spanish guys and we became very good friends and made all our plans together.
In the company where we did our internship, they integrated us in the best way they could have done. We were more and more comfortable every day, we met a lot of people, and they made everything very easy for us.
However, it wasn’t all studying and training. We also went to parties, visited beaches and incredible places that Malta has to offer. We arrived at the residence and played music, and danced around the kitchen while we were preparing dinner with our flatmates.
But what happens when you have to go back? We had never felt like that before. It was happiness and sadness at the same time. We wanted to go back home, but at the same time we didn’t want to leave all that we had built such as the new friends and the comforts we had achieved during the two months. We were used to living there.
We were also sad because we didn’t know if we would ever see again all the people with whom we had made a great friendship, and we assure you that they will always have a place in our hearts because thanks to them it has been an unforgettable experience, and we will always remember them for accompanying us on this adventure.
Do you know what happens with good things, don’t you? They always come to an end. Of course, arriving in Spain was a surprise. Nobody knew that we were coming back, and that we had advanced our flight; neither our friends nor our relatives, not even our teachers…
When we arrived home, the face of our parents, brothers and sisters…. was of surprise. They couldn’t believe it. We were at home. We were there in front of their eyes, but we also have to say that even we didn’t believe that we were already in Spain. And the best thing? That everything was in its place. Everything was where you had left it. Nothing had changed. Well yes, we had changed. This experience has helped us to mature, to grow, to know ourselves. We returned home very happy.
Are you worried about the language? Well, forget that thought because we were also scared about it, and in the end you end up understanding people, you end up improving the language and people always try helping you. We met people there who, when they arrived, communicated almost in sign language (and we have to tell you that we sometimes did it too), and do you know what? It doesn’t matter, after a little over a month, we already had basic conversations. Everything there improves, both skills and the way of watching life. So, don’t be afraid, don’t miss this opportunity. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
For us, it has been a beautiful experience that we will never forget.
