Canary Islands – long strips of golden beaches and sunny weather… What makes a young woman want to separate for a few months this idyllic life to visit Bulgaria? The answer will be given by Itahisa – an intern under the Erasmus + program at the day center “Riviera” – Varna. 🙂

Hello, how are you?

Hello! I’m very well, thanks for asking. But actually, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sad because this experience is coming to an end. And despite that, everything has a beginning and an end, so I’m glad that I managed to achieve what I achieved. It was a challenge for me!

Introduce yourself in a few words!

Fun, productive, sociable, team player, modest and honest.

I’m Itahisa, 19 years old. I was born on December 20 in the Canary Islands, in paradise. I live with my grandparents. I don’t have any siblings, but I do have a dog.

I like the fact that I’m funny, and that when someone is sad I can find the positive side of things and improve their mood. I also have the ability to adapt to different situations, spaces, people…

What made you become an intern? And why did you choose Bulgaria?

I really wanted to take part in such an internship exchange because I needed a change in my life – to clear my mind, to leave my own world for a few months, to rest. So I took the opportunity offered to me by my high school without hesitation.

I chose Bulgaria because I thought (and still think) it is a very interesting country. The culture, the traditional food, the way of life… totally different from what I know. Apart from the fact that the country seemed very beautiful, I also chose it because I intended to visit it in my life, but my financial situation did not allow it.

Do you like it here?

The truth is, I like it. For those two and a half months, I got used to the way of life here. I would not mind living here in the future and working as a social integrator.

Tell us about the place where you were an intern! What were your main tasks there?

The place where I did my internship was the Riviera Day Center in Varna. This is a center for people with disabilities.

My role was to support and accompany the staff of the center in their activities and tasks. I had a great time – singing, dancing, cooking, walking, doing sports, even participating in a healthy eating project! I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat this experience!

What did you learn during your internship? Did you encounter any challenges?

I learned a lot from my internship. Most of all, I managed to improve my English – something I have wanted to do for a long time. Also to develop activities different from the ones I am used to. Thanks to my colleagues, I learned many new techniques such as music therapy, various crafts… I also learned a lot from the visitors of the center, as they are strongly focused on taking and giving love.

The biggest challenge was the language. A language I didn’t know, but I had to somehow try to understand. But with perseverance, hard work, gestures, and a lot of desire you adapt to the situation.

Do you have a favorite moment from your internship?

Yes 😀. I have many favorite experiences and moments. But my most favorite is my stay in Veliko Tarnovo. The view there just won my heart and impressed me.

Did the pandemic affect your internship?

I think partially yes. Although I enjoyed my stay, because of the Covid situation, distance had to be kept, masks had to be worn, there was limited capacity… This created an even greater social distance, and not only physical.

Nevertheless, I managed to give myself an unforgettable experience that I like!

What would you say to young people to motivate them to do an internship abroad?

What I would tell them is to be brave and encourage them to not be scared. The internship abroad is a unique and unforgettable experience. This experience will help you grow as a person and cope with the challenges of everyday life. It makes you more independent.

My favorite phrase is “you only live once,” so don’t miss on this opportunity. If not now, when?

What awaits you after the internship?

My plan is to get a driver’s license and look for a job as a social integrator. I also want to continue my education and enroll in a university majoring in the social field.

 

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