LIFE+ | Welcome on INTERNSHIP@ICDET, Ivo!

My name is Ivo and I am 21 years old. I was born in Montana, Bulgaria but currently I live in Sofia. This year is my last one in Sofia University where I study international relations.

Almost 2 years ago I randomly found the Facebook page of ICDET. I was fascinated about all the activities and events they had. Not so long after that I saw a publication about a youth exchange in Spain and ICDET was the sending organization from Bulgaria. Without any doubts I decided to apply. Luckily, I got approved. Back then, I knew absolutely nothing about the Erasmus+ programme. All the members of the head crew were there to answer to all of my questions about the upcoming youth exchange and the programme at all. ICDET supported us during the exchange and even after that and gave the best first impression about Erasmus+.

Later on, when I started to get in touch with other NGOs in Bulgaria I realized how different ICDET it is. And by different I mean unique. You should check their web address and you will see what I am talking about. It is so well-structured. Tons of information could be found about everything – from the projects they are working on to the media channel.

I was really happy when I found out I could be an intern in ICDET. In my opinion this is one of most developed NGOs in the country (as I listed some of the reasons above). Which is why I have really big expectations for my internship. Each member of the head crew is specialist in its own department and I think I learn a lot from them. However, the part I am most interested in is the project development and I am grateful I will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in this sphere. In addition to that, working in multicultural environment is amazing.

During the training I already made some new friends and learnt so much about the native countries and languages. The flexibility of the internship is also great. I expect to developed some additional skills like self-time management, effective planning, prioritization of tasks and etc. I believe the internship will be useful not only for me but for my career development as well.

LIFE+ | Welcome on INTERNSHIP@ICDET, Boyan!

My name is Boyan and I am 21 years old. I study International relations at Sofia University. As an EU proponent and enthusiast, I was looking to do an internship in a growing and modern organisation dealing with EU’s initiatives and programs.

A friend of mine has told me that he had had a good experience with the organisation and that the people there were friendly and professional.

Therefore, I got in touch with representatives of the organisation and got the same impression. I was more than happy to discover ICDET.

I believe that I could contribute to the development of the NGO by sharing my experience and perspective on numerous topics. I am particularly interested in the field of EU law, as well as EU’s programs and bodies’ initiatives a whole. I have always felt comfortable in a multicultural environment and I always strive to help my peers develop themselves.

So far, the training has been promising and the people I have met there are friendly and motivated.

I am happy to have chosen ICDET and I expect that I will learn a lot more and acquire many new competences throughout the traineeship.

Finally, that fact that I have chosen to be part of the ‘Project Development department’ has been a great motivation for me, as it will help me develop new skills, not just in theory but also in practice.

LIFE+ | From an Asian student to Europe

My name is RanSeya, I am from Vietnam and I am currently studying for a Master of Tourism and Recreation in Poland. When I was a student from secondary school, I was thinking about studying and doing internship abroad in order to broaden my knowledge in terms of enhancing soft and hard skills and emerging myself to the international environment as I wish not only to be a citizen of a country but also a global citizen as well that means I am able to work and live in different environment. Actually, it is not quite easy to make the dream come true, I was born in a small city in the South of Vietnam so it can be imagined how hard it is to access and find the best program to study and join an internship abroad. I did not give up though, I have tried my best to find an opportunity for me.

First of all, I need to improve my English in order to meet one of the school and employers’ requirements by participating in an English speaking club as a volunteer there for a year and also applied for various international exchange activities back in my country.

Secondly, I got advice from experienced friends who previously studied and worked abroad, they did give me an image of what studying and doing an oversea internship look like so I better prepare myself in order to avoid and limit the situation of culture shock. Thirdly, I did a lot of research about which country I should go and experience.

Finally, I figure out what I really need to improve and learn so I decide to come to Europe. In Europe, I actually have an eye open when each country speaks different languages and has such an amazing culture which I have never experienced before.

The first stage of my dream is completed and I would be confident to say that my next wish on the list is almost filled in when I was accepted to do an internship and got funding by the ERASMUS program to work at ICDET in Sofia, Bulgaria. My first expectation for the internship here is to fulfil my desire of exploring new culture and cuisine and traveling as it is related to my major as mentioned above.

Moreover, I want to challenge myself in multitasking and experience the working environment and meet new people from different countries.

Last but not least, I hope my two months here will promise to be an unforgettable moment of my life in Europe.