I participated in an Erasmus+ Mobility Programme for Higher Education Level, which lasted from the 24th July 2017 till the 29th September 2017. The mobility took place at Parco Museo Jalari in Messina, Sicily (Italy).

My experience during my Erasmus + Mobility was fascinating, especially since this was my first time travelling abroad as an adult. I was surprised that even though Malta and Sicily are practically neighbours, our cultures differ. Sicilians have the tendency to make a stranger feel comfortable and talk to him like they have known him for years. This was one of the most endearing elements I loved about the experience.

When it came to the internship with Jalari Park Museum, I was responsible for various things, which ranged from back office, where I was responsible for tabulating a database into excel and maintaining a contact list, to front office, where I was responsible for providing general support to visitors and helping to answer their queries and solve their issues. During my internship I was also responsible for introducing the park and all its contents to the visitors. Whilst doing this, I have spoken Italian for the most part and have as a result thoroughly improved my Italian.

One of the experiences I have enjoyed there was the festival “Espressivamente”, which lasted for three days. It was something I had neither seen nor expected. The park was filled to the brim with various artists from Italy as well as from overseas, who were doing different spectacles, from aerobics, to music and even artisans who were selling their own products. During the festival my responsibilities became more tailored to the event, as I was now not only providing event related support to the visitors, but I was delegated as a Sales Promoter and was also asking people to sign in for the newsletter