Merel during her internship in St Julians, Malta!

"This was the best experience ever, I will never forget this time."

When my graduation supervisor told me that I could also do my graduate internship abroad, I was immediately sold. The final year of university is a challenge in itself, you have to write your thesis and you end a rather intense period of your life. Still, I wanted another challenge and thought, let me write my thesis while abroad. It was harder than I thought it would be, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Not only did I get to see a different country and culture, but I also became more independent and gained self-confidence.

"I couldn't wait to see what the next few months had in store for me"
I had always dreamed of doing an internship abroad, so when the time came to start looking for opportunities, I was focused and determined to find the perfect fit. I had heard about Malta through word of mouth and it immediately felt familiar. With some help, I soon found an organisation that seemed like it could be a good match. After a few conversations, I felt confident that this was the right choice for me. I was overjoyed when they offered me a deal, and I couldn't wait to start my adventure in Malta.

The next few months flew by as I prepared for my trip and said goodbye to family and friends. When the day finally arrived, I could not believe that my dream was about to become a reality. When the plane landed in Malta, I couldn't help but be excited about what the next few months had in store for me.

"Making friends was easy because we were all in the same situation"
Within a few days, I had already made a few friends and we did many things together. We went to the beach, explored the city and just had a great time. I also learned a lot, both about myself and the field I want to get into. I now understand what it is that I want to do with my life, and I have the skills to make it happen. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Making friends was easy as we were all in the same situation; we were all away from home for the first time and exploring everything this new place had to offer. We quickly bonded over our shared experiences and soon enough it felt like we had known each other for years. Even though we only spent a short time together, those memories will stay with me forever.

Apart from making great friends, I also learnt a lot while I was here. I got valuable insights into the field I want to go into as a career, and I developed the skills I need to be successful in that field. But most importantly, I learnt more about myself. I realised what I am passionate about and what makes me happy. It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.