The Experience Will Open Many Doors for Me

He came from Portugal and is doing an internship at UCM: The experience will open many doors for me

Simão Santos exchanged his summer vacation for a three-month internship at our university. What was the motivation behind his decision, and how did this mobility expand the student's horizons on the road to a more open future?

Can you tell us something about your background and what motivated you to do an internship at UCM in Trnava?

In the future, I envision working as a flight attendant, so I am currently studying Foreign Languages for International Relations. I already attended various humanities courses in high school, and my current field of study is quite complex and has always been my preferred academic path. The motivation for choosing Trnava for my internship lies in my desire to step out of my comfort zone, experience cultural differences firsthand, and meet new people. Additionally, I have friends who have done internships and studied in Slovakia, although not in this specific city.

How do your experiences at UCM differ from your expectations before arrival?

Before coming here, I already had the idea that things would be well-organized, thanks to the detailed information I received through email exchanges with the Department of International Relations at UCM. When I finally arrived, my expectations were confirmed because everything here is indeed efficiently processed and well-organized.

What were you most looking forward to before coming to Trnava?

Before coming, I was most looking forward to the internship experience itself. Of course, I also looked into interesting places, landmarks that I plan to visit, explored various activities I can do in the city. Additionally, I was curious about the daily routine I would have, and I expected that adapting to a new culture would be necessary. However, I found that cultural differences are not as significant as I had imagined.

What specific tasks and responsibilities did you have during your internship?

During my internship, I was assigned various tasks, including monitoring changes on the university's website, identifying missing articles, which I then inform the relevant parties about. I'm also responsible for assisting in the administration of documents for students coming from the Erasmus program in the upcoming academic year. Additionally, I participate in activities that the Department of International Relations plans on social media, such as evaluating the competition for the best Erasmus student photo or collecting feedback from international students about their stay at UCM. During the last month of my stay in Slovakia, I will be preparing and conducting a Spanish course for UCM staff.

How does your internship at UCM contribute to your personal and professional growth?

As I mentioned, my main motivation for going on an Erasmus mobility was to face new challenges and step out of my comfort zone. I believe this experience has helped me grow as an individual, and I expect to return to Portugal with increased knowledge and a more open mind.

What do you consider unique or special about UCM in terms of its approach to international relations and education?

The fact that UCM is highly involved in the Erasmus program in various forms is truly significant because many universities don't even have an active Erasmus program. Involvement in Erasmus activities at such a high level is a key step in building strong international relations. In this regard, UCM is really on the right path.

What has been your interaction with the OMV team and other staff members so far?

The team of the university's international relations has warmly welcomed me from the beginning. They provided me with a comprehensive welcome program, showed me all the important places, and accompany me in the tasks I'm responsible for in the office. Everything I need is explained step by step to ensure I understand the tasks correctly.

How was your collaboration with them?

Yes, I had the opportunity to talk to some team members, and they were all very accommodating. Whenever I had doubts or questions about how things work, they were always willing to help me, even beyond their duties.

How will this internship contribute to your future academic or career endeavors?

I believe that this internship will open many doors for me in the future. Stepping out of my comfort zone, separating from friends and family for an extended period, and working with unfamiliar people in an unknown place were initially obstacles that I am gradually turning into valuable experiences. Companies today often value candidates with diverse and enriching experiences, which is why I consider the Erasmus program an essential aspect of my professional development and future.

What advice would you give to other students considering an internship at UCM or a similar international experience?

The advice I would give to others is definitely to consider doing an internship like this. In my case, I was genuinely welcomed, and I received positive feedback from other students about their experiences here. I have nothing to complain about, and, in fact, I wholeheartedly recommend this institution to others.

What impression have you gained of the city of Trnava and the UCM student dormitory where you live?

The city initially gave me a relatively small impression, and although it's not a large city, there are more attractions and interesting places here than I originally thought. I consider Trnava to be beautiful, and the presence of historical monuments adds a unique charm to it. The dormitory facilities are excellent. I like that the rooms have refrigerators, which is very convenient. Moreover, the fact that I have a room to myself contributes to my feeling of perfect comfort.