I am 20 years old and I am French. For my third year, I chose to do my internship within the wonderful team of EuroAltea. I work as a European project assistant. Therefore, my role is to participate in the development and implementation of projects funded by the European Project Office.

I didn’t expect Altea to be such a lovely town! I feel like I am going to spend 4 months full of experiences and learning, all in an idyllic setting, and surrounded by great people. If you have the opportunity, I wish you to live this wonderful experience too!

It is a pleasure to work for EuroAltea.

They have given me a professional opportunity in the field of my studies. But also the opportunity to learn a third language and to work in an exceptional environment, with a very dynamic team.

It’s clear that Eurodisea and EuroAltea are my little miracle.

The StopDiabetes project in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 2019 was unforgettable: one week in the cultural capital, well… it was awesome.

I went as one of the two leaders. We were practicing spoken and written English, hours of cultural exchange and learning about healthy habits. The young people from Altea and from other countries are very creative and have become very friendly with each other, thanks to a project done with EuroAltea.

The summer of 2019 I participated in the course that was done in Bulgaria about NEETS, about young people who leave their studies early and there were people from other countries where we shared our experience with this kind of young people, we learned many games to do with them, we visited places, we shared experiences, we did multicultural parties.

And in the European Projects Office of Altea, everything was facilities that they gave us to be able to do these courses.

I encourage everyone who wants to learn abroad to go to the office, there is sure to be a course prepared for them.

In the summer of 2019 I was at the EuroAltea Office as part of the External Internship for the English Studies Degree at the University of Alicante.

What I did during this time was to help with social media and help with translation.

It was a wonderful experience, which I would definitely repeat.

For me, participating in an Erasmus + project has been one of the most enriching experiences I have ever taken part in.

From Euro Altea, the organisation and accompaniment during the whole process of the project has been a very important element for the use and enjoyment of the experience.

At the end of my bachelor studies I was wondering whether to start a master or look for a job. Ideally I wanted to start working, but at the same time I knew that it would be hard to find a good job with no experience at all.

When I heard of the Eurodyssey program I got really interested and quickly applied to an offer.

Eurodyssey is a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learn a new language, and last but not least, to make wonderful friends.

Thanks to my working experience at EuroAltea I feel more confident about my future job interviews. I am now able to give concrete examples of my skills, and know what I need to work on.

The program fits every young adult, no matter what background they have. Everything is really well organized, and if at whatever moment you need help there will always be someone for you.

I finished my studies in June and I wanted to have another experience abroad. I had heard about Eurodyssey therefore I got in touch with the organisation which deals with this programme in Belgium. Soon after I registered on the website I got a phone call, had an interview and filled in some papers. With the other participants we first stayed one month in Valencia to learn Spanish (and we got to know each other) but also to have cultural visits before starting the internship in the different companies. I stayed in Altea with 2 other participants and worked in the Tourist Office. My colleagues were fantastic. It was a professional but also a cultural experience and I really recommend to take part in this programme because it is an amazing opportunity.

“I had finished my studies and was looking to obtain some professional experience, then I was told by a previous participant, that the Eurodyssey programme could be a good option for me. I had a look on the website, talked to my regional representatives and soon I was in Valencia, learning Spanish and making new friends. I then came to Altea and started working as a graphic designer for the municipality in the Casa de Cultura, where I immediately got the chance to work on real projects. This has been a fantastic opportunity to not only learn and immerse myself in Spanish but to also acquire some valuable professional experience. It has been a rich cultural experience with working, eating Spanish food, travelling and seeing different parts of Spain. I can confidently recommend seeing what Eurodyssey can offer you and to take advantage of an opportunity like this.”

Last year I had no real plan, I just knew I wanted to learn something. The Social Center of Altea recommended me this European Voluntary Service in a German rest house. At first I was both curious and scared, the offer matched with my envies but I never travelled so far on my own. Today I’m glad my curiosity overcame my fears.

I now accomplished the first four months of a one year long EVS in Wolfach (Germany).

Concretely I’m volunteering as a nurse. I take care of elderly; I help them to bath, to eat and to entertain. Thanks to this experience I think I found my vocation. When my year of volunteering will be over I hope I will get the chance to stay three more years to pass my bachelor of nursing in Germany.

Besides all this, I’m also learning German, making new friends and planning to take piano classes.

Romania was my first Erasmus+ experience and I will never forget it!

From the first day I felt at home. Going abroad allows you to break some stereotypes, you just face the reality on your own and you realize lots of things are much better than what you expected.

The “human” part is definitely my best memory of this experience. People were very welcoming and friendly. Honestly, I didn’t expect them to be that nice; I’m even staying in touch with some of them.

The different activities allowed me to gain confidence talking to people I don’t know and taught me how to present myself during a job interview.

Now I’m back in Spain, hearing my story made my friends want to live a similar experience. I really recommend them, as well as other youngsters to be brave and to take the step; they will be rewarded with a marvelous experience.

Erasmus+: Youth in Action

It is a very gratifying experience to travel and to discover a new country and a new way of living, it’s even better because you do it together with people like you. With no doubt I strongly encourage youngsters to get out of their comfort zone and to explore the world and its different cultures.

Erasmus+: Youth in Action

The Erasmus experience remains forever in your head. The city in which the youth exchange takes place will remain as part of your origin. As well as the other participants will become friends for a lifetime. The Erasmus+ experience allows you to build strong relations, to open your mind, to improve your communicative skills in foreign languages and to get to know new cultures. Last but not least, you really have fun during the project.

Erasmus+: Youth in Action

A 100% recommended experience. You get to know different cultures, unknown places, and incredible people, that undoubtedly enrich you as a human being.

To see mobility offers, click here.

Thanks to the Euroaltea Grant, offered annually by the City Council of Altea, I had the opportunity to do an internshipsa for a couple of months in Northern Ireland at the Belfast Print Workshop, an impressive engraving workshop, and also an artists’ cooperative. In addition to knowing the world of engraving much more thoroughly, I have been able to put into practice digital design knowledge, acquired during my degree in Fine Arts, in the realization of advertising material, and I have also collaborated in the cataloging of the works, among others things. An intense and full of learning experience. With the addition of practicing and improving English in a city as special as Belfast. A highly recommended opportunity!

More information about the EuroAltea grant here.

Alicia, grafic designer, from Belgium, intern at the Ayuntamiento de Altea with the programme Eurodyssey

“I didn´t know about the Eurodyssey programme until I received an email saying that an offer for an internship in Spain could interest me. I decided to apply and so, sending my CV directly. In one month, everything had changed for me. In Brussels, it has been few months that I couldn’t find a job and now I have one here. Working in Spain is an adventure I could never forget. Suddenly, I had projects of work, and of life too. Since I am in Altea, I have never regretted one second coming here. I meet people, see how much life is different here and I’m even thinking about living in Spain…
I truly think the Eurodyssey programme allows you to advance in your life and to get an experience of which you’re more strong and self-confident.
And all that started with just an email.”

Check the Eurodyssey programme here.

Andres, from Spain, Employment technician at the town hall of Altea

“I arrived in Altea in September 2017 thanks to a subvention of the Valencian Region, co-funded by the European Social Fund. From the situation of unemployed, looking for a job as a lawyer after finishing my studies in Law, now I am in the situation of having an inspiring job.
Ten months after, here I am, working every day with willingness to learn more and more and to grow personally. I couldn´t imagine having a better chance, and I continue to be grateful for that.”

Betsy, from Belgium, European Project Assistant at EuroAltea (Europe Project Office) with the programme Eurodyssey

“Six months after my graduation, I was still procrastinating to think about what I want and where I see myself. The only thing I knew before coming here in Altea was my willingness to work outside Belgium and to learn a new language. But how? When? Where? I decided to get information about the European mobility programmes. After applying for this internship with Eurodyssey, I have learned that I was expected to start Spanish classes 2 weeks after in Valencia; it was from that time my life changed.

More than a first job opportunity, you need to think in terms of personal growth. And for this reason, I think the experience Eurodyssey will be forever remembered in my life. I’m discovering new cultures, learning a new language, making new friends.

I seriously advise young people from Altea to enjoy this opportunity. Obviously, it might be a bit scary at the beginning, but your life can change in a better way fast, such like me. You will find some obstacles to overcome… but they help you to grow and make you stronger, aren´t they?

Don’t miss the chances the UE offers you.”

Find out more information about the programme here.