Renato from Portugal

Hello, my name is Renato. I’m 23 years old and  Portuguese. After finishing my degree in electromechanical engineering, I decided to do an internship abroad to boost the start of my career and, at the same time, to improve my English. 

I chose Malta as a destination as the weather is good almost all year round, the cost of living isn’t very different to Portugal and because of the fact that many young people from all over the world study at the many English schools that Malta offers. Meeting young people of my age and being able to create a social life abroad is important to me, and helps to maintain mental health. 

I started to look for agencies in Malta that arrange internships and accommodation packages, and I found Switchbird Malta. There I met Michelle, a person who is always very kind and attentive. We had an interview to discuss what I wanted, my interests, etc… basically to introduce myself to her, so she could fit my profile to an appropriate company. 

After processing my request, Michelle found me a 7-month internship in the aviation industry, one of the sectors I was interested in working in, specifically in a company that does aircraft maintenance. 

After the internship was arranged, Michelle started to arrange my accommodation, providing me with several options of prices and conditions. Finally, it was time to leave my home country and venture to Malta. When I arrived, Michelle had organized a taxi to meet me at the airport and take me to my apartment. Michelle met me there to check that I settled in well and to deliver an accommodation basket of new, clean sheets and towels. 

I started my internship on the 1st of March, and the adaptation to the new environment and new people was very good because it was facilitated by my work colleagues who were very helpful to me, always willing to help. I’m currently working in the planning department, where I’m learning how to prepare all the necessary documentation for the maintenance of an aircraft and also the archiving process after the intervention is concluded. However, during my 7 months of internship, I will go through various other tasks and departments, such as the hangar to follow the maintenance processes to the aircraft and put my hands to work.

I am now a few weeks into my internship and Michelle and I still keep in touch regularly. She always tells me that if I need anything, I can contact her.

In conclusion, I’m very happy with my life right now and I totally recommend Switchbird’s service, 5 stars. It is a great help for those who are looking for opportunities and don’t know where to start.