My Internship In United Nations World Tourism Organization. Experiencing Madrid

I'm always feeling a hunger of challenges and looking for new opportunities so once I had discovered the UNDP "Patirties Partneriai" program in Lithuania I decided - this is exactly what I need. From the very beginning I had no doubt - it will be a great experience. So I had decided to go abroad and take myself out of my comfort zone where the magical things are happening.

United Nations world Tourism Organization was my destination. It is a leading international organization in the field of tourism which promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. Madrid is one of the most impressive capitals in Europe. Spain - country of colorful culture and happy people. Perfect combination for the exciting experience! 

I came there alone, had no friends, no local people I knew before in Madrid but my loneliness didn't last too long. I have realized that Spanish are very helpful and good people. Many of them were helping me to find a place to live, were showing me around, introducing me with their culture and of course always smiling and spreading the good energy.

Madrid "Puerta alcala"

My colleagues at work were international people from all over the Europe. Despite that the relations between all of them are very good and warm. From my very first day at work I could feel extremely nice atmosphere - everybody are so helpful and friendly so you can really feel like you are a part of the team. 

My internship was in Regional Europe department - unit which is responsible for the relations with the European member-states. During all the period of my internship I was doing a lot of different things. They were really trying to make some interesting tasks for me and making the best learning conditions. Of course everything was new to me and sometimes complicated but I could always ask and receive help or advise from any of the team member. Organizing conferences, meetings other events, making researches about European countries economy and tourism, making proposals for new projects - all of this were my everyday work. In addition to that I was helping them to communicate with Lithuanian Tourism department so I was like a Lithuanian ambassador in the World Tourism Organization. During such a short time - just 3 months I gained a lot of knowledge, improved many skills, discovered new abilities. But the most important – I really felt like a real member of the Regional program for Europe and the whole World Tourism Organization.

Despite the official work I was actively involved in all the other activities of the of the World Tourism Organization. I was representing Regional Europe department in several official receptions (diplomatic events in embassies) and some other events. During the Christmas evening organized by UNWTO, I was helping to Santa Claus and acting in the performance for children. In the end of December I was participating in the formal Christmas party for all UNWTO staff which had finalized my internship in Madrid.

Christmas evening for children in UNWTO

 Talking about the city – Madrid is fabulous! Here you can really see a lot of unique traditions, taste amazing meal and local wine, explore the real Spanish culture. Every region of Spain is different but you can really see that Madrid is a heart of the country. What is more it is quite easy to travel around – there a lot of nice small cities around Madrid which are worth to see! And of course, the weather is great in Spain, first time in my life I could skip half of the winter! Most of the time the sun is shining so you can really understand why people are happier there.

Valencia

Segovia

To sum up, I would like to say A BIG THANK for this amazing opportunity to explore new country, to get valuable experience, get new friends and discover more things about myself. For those who still have a doubt – don’t waste your time and get out of your comfort zone – believe me – amazing things are happening there!

 Viktorija Aniulytė

Intership in Cyprus. Summer 2012

This summer was quite unusual in comparing with all other. All started in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen - Cyprus. 

In my mother country summer seems not like real summer, so because of that I decided to go somewhere, where I will be able to feel real spirit of summer, and of course feel the real work practice abroad. I found UNDP program, field in all necessary documents to have internship, and I went to Cyprus, Limassol. 

                                                                   Trodos, Cyprus 

It was something that is very difficult to describe, because I hadn’t had something similar to that before.

I am studying at Vilniaus College, University of Applied Sciences, Management of Cultural activities. I applied to work at ShipCon Limassol Ltd., where I had all possibilities to try myself and to see what I really can. This company is a leading research and consultancy organization, providing a lot of different services to clients.

Almost every day I worked at the office, where I had a lot of things to do. Usually I was there with my lovely director Agnieshka, Stratos and Martina, and two another trainees from Lithuania. All of us were all the time very busy. We were searching for partners, writing projects, communicating with foreigners and taking part in different kinds of projects. It is pleasant that I had a lot of things to do, because of that I was able to feel what means to work hard and be happy of the results of the work.

                                               With Stratos (right) and guests from Vilnius

The most pleasant memories of working part were when we had to implement “Youth in Action” project. We were doing all organizational work, communicating with participants, going to excursion together with them and had really nice time.

                                                 With Naoum and Inga.National Evening

All working staff I was working with was so friendly, polite and hospitable. They were very helpful. If I had troubles, or just if I asked them for something, they always were open to help me. We had a lot of time together, because of that we became like one small family, with our own happiness, deals and troubles. We were going out together, communicating, joking and having fun. I am completely happy that I was working in that organization. They taught me how to be strong, how to reach my own goals and how to never give up.

                                                    ShipCon Limassol Director, Agnieszka

In the first days living in Cyprus was real challenge. It was very difficult to adapt to the hot weather, because in Lithuania maximum temperature in summer time is 30 degrees, when in Cyprus it was approximately 38-40. But 2 weeks later I adapt, and I feel in love in Cyprus weather. Also I feel in love in Mediterranean Sea, mountains, Cypriots, all cities where I have been, and all islands at all. If someone ask me, if I had another chance to go there, without any doubts I would say YES. 

                                                           

Internship in RIMAS, Vienna, Austria, 2012.

I am a student of political science at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University. During the 7th semester of my studies I had to do an internship, which was compulsory. The decision to accept a challenge of the 3-months-length  international internship at RIMAS was one of the best choices I have ever made. Before leaving to Vienna, Austria, I had some concerns, doubts about my future studies and career after graduation, but this great opportunity helped me to consider what I really want, broadened my minds, inspired me to set the specific goals and go for it. 

Invaluable  working experience in RIMAS

The Research Institute for Managing Sustainability at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (RIMAS) is a think-tank commited to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development at all societal levels (for example, the individual, corporate, municipal, regional, national and international levels) by developing and applying scientific insight. The experience of working there was very interesting and valuable for improving a wide variety of skills and academic knowledge. Firstly, I got familiar with RIMAS‘ activities, different projects and mission overall during the introductory presentation at the day of arrival. Also,  I get acquinted with (new for me) academic subjects such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Sustainable Development while doing scientific literature research and knew more about UN Millenium Development Goals and how the businesses do affect it. With this required background knowledge I continued on doing variuos specific tasks which were literature, political documents and internet research, the search  for new potential institute‘s partners and their contacts, the research about the status of assistants of parliamentarians in EU and ect. What is more, I was included in the dynamic real work of the team and was very excited about that. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by very talented, intelligent, creative and, surprisingly, very friendly people coming from all over the Europe. Almost every day during the lunch breaks we were sharing our moods, ideas, discussing the latest issues, teaching  each other new Lithuanian and German words, at the same time improving English language skills. Eventually, I just adored the schedule in RIMAS which was motivating to put all my efforts on implementing tasks and concentrate while working in order no to waste time. There were no very strict working hours so I could get enough of sleep in the mornings and almost always ask for a day off then it was needed. So, all in all, there were too many good reasons not to like the time spent in RIMAS – I absolutelly enjoyed it and recommend it to you!

Living Viennese style: unforgettable and adventurous  time in the capital of Austria

Many many great memories come to my head when I remember living in Vienna. For most of them I am very thankful to my dear friend and colleague Ieva, as we were experiencing working in RIMAS and living in Vienna together. At a first glance, during our first days, the city looked a little bit cold and people seemed quite closed, but after the deeper exploration of Vienna, many hours of sightseeing  we fulfilled our high expectations, actually, it was better than we even could think. We got many acquantances, made not so much, but some really good and kind friends. What is more, we did a lot of travelling inside and outside Austria, bet everytime coming back to Vienna we felt like coming back home and felt a relief after long tiring trips. I can assure you, that this fascinating city of high culture is realy worth of visiting and even living there!

Vaida Kuliesaite 

(jeigu kils klausimu, rasykite vaida.kuliesaite@gmail.com)