“Being honest with Cypriots will help you make new friends” | VDU Žemės ūkio akademija

“Being honest with Cypriots will help you make new friends”

Anastasiia Puha, a student of Diplomacy and International Relations // Erasmus+ traineeship in Cyprus

Most universities include internships in undergraduate study programmes. This is necessary for the student to gain skills and experience in work and to understand the field of activity. Information is needed from the people working with it (not only from textbooks or teachers).

Since I am an international student, I decided that I wanted to practice in an international environment and visit a new country. VMU (VDU) opportunities helped me with this, namely, Erasmus+ traineeship which opened new possibilities and experiences for me.

After a lot of searching and many letters to companies, I got an offer from a company in Cyprus. This is how my journey into the world of finance and the incredible country of Cyprus began.

Well, let’s first talk about the uniqueness of the Erasmus+ traineeship programme. Erasmus+ traineeships is an internship programme in another country. This programme allows you to gain experience and skills from the company as well as discover the world of new countries, features, and people.

What makes this programme special is that you receive a scholarship that depends on the country where the company is based. However, students should show their motivation and persistence to learn new skills to take advantage of this opportunity!

Now let’s back to my incredible trip to Cyprus, a country of wonderful colors, exclusive culture, delicious food, and open people. The peculiarity of Cyprus is its weather and the sunny people who live there. I guarantee you that you will never be stranded on this island, because it is simply not possible. People of any age know English and will happily help a tourist or expat. Thanks to the Erasmus+ traineeship, I received a new family, this time – a Cypriot family whoever is so worried about me, rejoices in my victories and waits for my return. They showed me all the incredible, colorful places and food, and invited me to local festivals.

After my eloquent story about Erasmus+ and Cyprus, here are some tips for both:

  1. To participate in the programme, you must be motivated and show good academic results. Don’t be afraid to participate in student conferences or projects; it will help you with your skills and provide additional motivation.
  2. Choose the company and country you like, as only your motivation and desire for self-development will help you get closer to victory.
  3. Cyprus is a multinational country but there are very delicate topics that should not be touched upon until you get to know each other better. Their historical and military conflicts should be bypassed and studied in the historical museums on the territory.
  4. The best seafood and fish can be found on the coast, and souvlika (meat) – in the capital Nicosia. Be sure to go to the local tavern and play bingo
  5. Be prepared for sincerely open people who are interested in every little detail. Being honest with Cypriots will make you new friends.