Atanas from Bulgaria about his Erasmus+ traineeship that turned into a full time job

Watch the video interview HERE

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

I graduated in Glasgow, Scotland with a marketing degree which I wanted to follow with some practical experience. My online search led me to Placement Slovakia which was offering an interesting position for a candidate with a business background. I didn’t know much about Slovakia, but the opportunity came in the right moment and I decided to go after it. 
 
2. Can you tell what responsibilities the company gave you at work?
 
The responsibilities included various marketing activities: email marketing, blog posting, conducting interviews with people for the blog, creating websites with WordPress, and more.  My responsibilities grew over time and I was gradually given more tasks to complete.

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

I would say organizing and analytical skills from the day-to-day work activities. Attention to detail was also an important part of my role. Of course, you can’t go without teamwork and communication between colleagues and partners.

4. What were your expectations and were they met?

I expected to learn something from the job and have some fun in Slovakia. I think I managed to do both to a good extent.
 
5. Were there any tasks given to you that you had no idea how to complete? If so, how did you solve it?

There were different things that I didn’t know how to do at first. Working with specific email marketing software, for example, or creating websites on WordPress, were tasks I needed help with. I had a supervisor who has always been helpful with giving advice and instructions. Any of my colleagues would also not shy away of helping if I ask.
 
6. How did you find out about our programme and how would you evaluate our assistance provided during your period here?

I found about the programme by searching for internships online. The interview process happened very quickly and the assistance was on point. Great advantage for every intern is that Placement Slovakia finds accommodation for you and you don’t need to worry about anything.
 
7. Do you have any suggestions or improvements to our placement programme?

You can keep partnering with more companies so interns have a variety of choice for positions.

8. What do you think of the lifestyle in Slovakia?
 
I enjoyed it very much. It is similar to the lifestyle in Bulgaria, and also a little different, but I didn’t feel far away from home. You have everything needed in terms of restaurants, bars, clubs and places to go around. I’ve met a lot of nice and awesome people from Slovakia.

9. What did you find as the most different from your usual environment, country? Was there any culture shock?
 
I’ve travelled around a fair bit, so I’m not so easily shocked. There are small differences between cultures that you notice with time which is part of the experience abroad. I adapt quickly to environments and didn’t have problems with the life here. Also, I’m still here after the internship which is telling. 

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

It’s probably a combination of culture, food, city and the people I have met during my stay. I’ve had a lot of positive experiences and emotions and really not so many difficulties.
 
11. Did you have any work or social difficulties during your stay in Slovakia? If so, how did you solve them?

I would ask colleagues for assistance when I had any difficulties at work. The social circle of interns that come through Placement Slovakia has always been great. Some friends have left, but then you meet with newcomers. You can discover some new friendships.
 
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 travelled enough going to several cities in Slovakia, together with neighbouring countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland. If you enjoy travelling, here’s the place. I’d recommend High/Low Tatras as a place to visit in Slovakia. Mountains with a great nature and many hiking paths to be walked which made it one of my favorite destinations.

13. Which moment of your stay in Slovakia has been the most memorable for you?
 
The moments I spent with newly made friends in a café, club, mountain or anywhere.

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

I continue on a full time contract with the company I had internship in. The plans are to stay in Slovakia some more and then will see.
 
15. Is there anything you would like to say to students still deciding whether or not to do an internship in Slovakia?

Sometimes you got to take a chance.