INTERNSHIP COUNTRY: ITALY – 1.07.2022 -02.09.2022
HOST COMPANY NAME: Hpisa S.r.l.
I decided to take part in the ERASMUS+ Program because I felt it could be quite an experience. I enjoy travelling and different cultures, meeting new people and trying to live life to the fullest. Add to that my interest in history and that’s how I chose to spent two months abroad, aiming for a solo adventure but finding amazing colleagues that I had a spectacular time with. Welcome to land of history, passion, and fantastic food – Italy.
I must admit I was incredibly lucky that I found SAFESTAY, my Partner Organisation. And on the first try at that. A nice, not-so-little hostel in Pisa filled with great atmosphere. The manager and the staff managed to balance fun working environment with professionalism perfectly. When I arrived I felt welcome instantly, with how Vito (the manager) took time to sit down with me and explain everything in detail, in spite of it being in the middle of the day. I was shown around and to the room that was very graciously included in the traineeship offer. I shared it with some other trainees and interns that came to Pisa and we became quick-friends which made the experience all the more pleasant. Overall it was a very positive time, especially since not only was it fun, but also the conditioned were fulfilled entirely and then some. SAFESTAY, Pisa is definitely worth recommending and if you’re thinking of going to Italy for your traineeship you should totally check it out!
When it comes to expenses then the highest price was that of transport. I decided on flying and so that costs a bit more but it is quite a time-saver. I was offered an accommodation and food throughout my whole stay which definitely cut my spending drastically. Truth be told, what I spent the most on while being in Italy was tourist attractions and visiting cities, as I wanted to have the full experience. How could you stay there for two months and not step a foot in Roma?
Language-wise I was very pleasantly surprised. I knew that the stuff were fluent, as we’d spoken during the interview process, however I’d been warned that Italian don’t really fancy speaking English. While of course there were exceptions, as there would be in any country, language didn’t exactly pose an issue.
I don’t think I would have described myself as closed-off before, but meeting so many people and having so many fascinating conversations, with stuff and customers alike, undeniably helped me to open up even more and allowed me to get to know a variety of different “little” facts, that one would probably not comprehend fully when merely reading about them.
All-in-all it was an amazing experience that I can honestly and truly recommend. I’m absolutely satisfied with it and just might have to repeat it next summer.
