André and his throwback to last year with Placement Slovakia

André Lagos, a graduate of Economics, came to Slovakia from mountainous Madeira in Portugal and was a member of our team for 5 months, as he did his traineeship directly in our office. We really enjoyed and valued his presence here with us and even though it took a while, we finally have a chance to share his thoughts of this period with all of you. 

1. How did your story first begin and why did you decide to take an Erasmus+ traineeship in Slovakia?

My friend Victor came to Slovakia to do an Internship through the Placement Slovakia programme, he knew that I was also looking for an internship and recommended me to apply.

2. Can you tell what responsibilities the company gave you at work?

I was taking care of the social media, databases and human resources tasks.

3. What skills did you improve the most during your traineeship?

I developed a lot my cummunication skills, especially my English level. I have also learnt how to work in a small company, where people are close and have a close relations.

4. What were your expectations and were they met?

Definitely, since the first moment I liked it a lot.  My professional expectations and personal experience were both met!

5. Were there any tasks given to you that you had no idea how to complete? If so, how did you solve it?

Not at all. At first, I had some meetings with my coordinator, she explained me everything very well, and more than once when necessary. I have never found any problems to perform my tasks.

6. How did you find out about our programme and how would you evaluate our assistance provided during your period here?

Regarding the programme, I have nothing to say but good words, they provide all the support needed during the internship period. The meetings with all the trainees are very nice, to welcome the new ones and introduce them to other people.

7. Do you have any suggestions or improvements to our placement programme?

No.

8. What do you think of the life-style in Slovakia?

I think the life-style in Slovakia is similar to the European standards, even though older people don't speak much English, the young ones do and they are usually very nice and kind.

9. What did you find as the most different from your usual environment, country? Was there any culture shock?

I did not have any cultural shock, but the most unsual part was the fact of not having any sea around. I am from Madeira Island (Portugal), so everyday I see the sea, and in Bratislava that was not possible. So, like everyone, my beach time was spent on lakes :D

10. What did you like the best here in Slovakia?

The food is nice, quite heavy but it is very tasty. From the point of view of a trainee doing an erasmus, I think it is also important to mention that beer is super cheap and a lot of bars have their own draft beer.

11. Did you have any work or social difficulties during your stay in Slovakia? If so, how did you solve them?

Not at all, but in case I had any issue, I am sure that Placement Slovakia would help me to solve it.

12. Did you have enough time to travel and explore Slovakia and neighbouring countries? Which places did you visit and what left the biggest impact on you?

I really took advantage of the geographic position of the country to visit also other countries around. I did manage to travel a lot, in one month I visited all countries around Sloavakia. Slovakia also has a lot a beautiful things to see, I really enjoyed one ski-trip to Jasna in Slovak Mountains. It is one of the most amazing places that I have ever been to.

13. Which moment of your stay in Slovakia has been the most memorable for you?

Unfourtunately, my last day. It was hard to say goodbye to all the great friends that I made there. Especially my co-workers and the other trainees.

14.What are your future plans after finishing the traineeship?

I will do another internship in Valencia, and afterwards I will go back to my Island and find a job there.

15. Is there anything you would like to say to students still deciding whether or not to do an internship in Slovakia?

Just go, Placement Slovakia is a great programme. They not only provide you an internship, they will support you during your period abroad and there are also many trainees doing their internship there. That was a good plus, because it allows you to meet new people and never get bored.