The document is an internship report by Adrien De Azevedo about their international internship experience in Malta from March to May 2023. Some key details: - The objectives of the internship were to improve English skills, adapt to a new culture, and gain work experience. - Adrien found work at two places - first selling tickets for boat parties, then at an ice cream factory called RivaReno Gelato. - In addition, they created a website called Search4You to help French people searching for housing in Malta. - Outside of work, Adrien enjoyed visiting places around Malta like St. Julians and Marsaxlokk to experience the

1. INTERNATIONAL
INTERNSHIP REPORT
March 14 to May 30, 2023
DE AZEVEDO Adrien
TC5 Master’s student of the year 2023
Year 2022-2023

2. 2
Introduction
As part of our curriculum at Builders For Society, we have the opportunity to do an international
internship. I was lucky enough to go the island of Malta for this experience abroad.
The main objectives of the internship were to :
 Improve my oral comprehension and enrich my vocabulary in English ;
 Be able to hold a conversation in English and understand work instructions ;
 Discover the culture of the host country and demonstrate my ability to adapt to an
unfamiliar environment ;
 Put myself in a position to work in English.
This internship also had other, more personal implications. Because of Covid-19, we had not
been able to go abroad in our second year of school. Then, this trip after the final exams, marked
the end of my five years at school. I wanted to live a unique experience, different from all the
other internships I had done in previous years, before entering to working life. I also wanted to
be immersed in a different environment, with strangers, with a different culture. So that this
internship could contribute to my personal development.
In this report, I will start by presenting the reasons that led me to choose Malta as my
destination, and I will also describe the steps I took before my departure. The second part of my
report will be devoted to my professional experience in Malta. In a third part, I will share my
experience of adaptation, I will also describe the enriching experiences that I have had outside
the professional sphere, such as meetings, cultural visits, etc. In a fourth part, I will highlight the
personal benefits that I derived from this experience, such as the development of intercultural
skills, open-mindedness, adaptability, etc. I will demonstrate how this experience has enriched
my academic career. Finally, I will conclude this report with an overall assessment in relation to
the objectives of the internship.

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Table of contents
I. Choice of destination & preparations before
departure
II. Professional experience in Malta
a. Lazy Pirate
b. RivaReno Gelato
c. My adaptation
d. Search4You
III. Adaptation to the country and personal
experiences
IV. Benefits of international experience
V. Conclusion
VI. Annex

4. 4
I. Choice of destination & preparations
before departure
To prepare this trip, I had to think about a destination that would give me a unique experience.
Having passed my TOEIC before this internship, it was possible for me to go to the destination of
my choice, without necessarily going to an English-speaking country. The range of possibilities
was therefore very wide, and I had only two criteria that mattered to me:
 Go to a warm country
 Being able to find a job
With these criteria, I searched in different countries and continents. During my research I
opened myself to many destinations outside Europe such as the United States, Thailand,
Mauritius or Vietnam. I have also done research in Portugal, Spain and Greece. At the beginning
of my research, Malta was not at all a destination I had thought of.
I quickly realized that it was very complicated, if not impossible, to find a job outside Europe
because it is necessary to carry out quite tedious administrative procedures to obtain work
permits. Also in some countries like Thailand, it’s very complicated to be hired as a foreigner.
Also, for a period of 10 weeks regardless of the choice of destination, employers are not really
open to hiring and despite all the solicitations I could make to find a job I had no positive
response outside Europe...
I then wondered if it was not better to go to a woofing to have the opportunity to stay outside
Europe. However, I had the apprehension to lock myself in an area far from everything and not
have the freedom to do and go where I wanted. That’s why it was important for me to find a job.
I then switched to destinations in southern Europe and it was the city of Barcelona that caught
my attention the most. Having already had the opportunity to go there a few days in 11th class I
kept a very good memory. The city is also quite dynamic and there is always something to do or
see.
I then focused all my research in Barcelona and quickly ran into a major problem, the Foreigner
Identification Number (NIE). Any foreign person wishing to work in Spain, even for a short
period of time, must have this number. However, Barcelona being a very cosmopolitan city, the
authorities are overwhelmed by NIE’s requests and appointments are almost impossible. In
addition, it is very difficult to obtain this number because the companies that recruit want
profiles to already have this number. And the authorities who deliver the NIE can only deliver it
if you have a promise of employment. In my case, it was therefore difficult to obtain this number.
I still continued to look, even in charities and volunteer work but even for these applications I
was not retained. The situation was becoming critical as the departure date was fast
approaching.
So I understood that it was going to be very complicated to do this experience in Barcelona.
I was then advised to inquire about Malta because the documents to work are only a formality
and it is possible to find work fairly quickly. In addition, the official language in Malta is English

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and I thought it would be more useful for me to be immersed in an English-speaking
environment than a Spanish-speaking one.
After some research on the island, I liked the destination and so I took my tickets a week before
the departure with the wish to find a job quickly on the spot on my arrival.
I still managed to find a place to live before I left, which was quite reassuring.
II. Professional experience in Malta
a. Lazy Pirate
Before I left, I wanted to find a job to be able to be independent during my experience.
So I searched from France by sending some resumes and letter of motivation. The job search was
very fast because the time of a day was enough for me to get a job in Malta.
Malta is well known for its lively nightlife, so there are a lot of vacancies in this sector. I applied
to the LazyPirate company which organizes parties on a boat all summer long. I was directly
accepted to be a seat salesman.
Sellers are paid by commission, the price of one ticket for the evening was 60€ and sellers were
paid 9€ per ticket sold. This can be an interesting way of paying if there are many people to
solicit.
However, the time I had to be present was not yet the best because most tourists are in Malta
during the months of July and August. In addition, competition is fierce with sellers of competing
companies and also with other sellers of the same company.
So I was quite skeptical about this job but I had managed to find a home and a job before
arriving which was already reassuring for the validation of the internship. Nevertheless, I
decided to keep this job for safety but to look for something else as soon as I arrived.

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So that’s what I did, I visited the city trying to deposit a maximum of CV in different shops
(restaurant, ready to wear, cafes, bars, etc).
b. RivaReno Gelato
I finally managed to find a job in just 4 days of prospecting in the RivaReno Gelato ice cream
factory in the town of Sliema as a glacier.
Here is the history of the brand:
In 2004, four friends with very different
backgrounds (a car company executive, a BBC
journalist, a lawyer and a famous Bologna gelato-
maker) joined forces to realise their shared
ambition: making incredible gelato. They pursued
their goal with tenacity, creativity and, most
importantly, passion. RivaReno quickly drew the
attention of international entrepreneurs whose
investments helped the brand expand worldwide,
all while maintaining the top quality standards that
set our gelato apart from competitors.
The name, RivaReno, pays homage to where it all
started: Bologna, the capital city of Emilia-Romagna.
The city of Bologna, which is located by the Reno
River, has a long, storied culinary tradition. One of
the founders, Leonardo Ragazzi, discovered the
secrets to fine gelato-making in Bologna; those
techniques, along with the region’s traditional
flavours, still profoundly influence the way they
make their ice cream today. They chose the name
RivaReno, which translates to ‘Reno River shores’, in
reference to the Bologna roots.
The first gelato shop opened its doors in 2005 on via Col di Lana, a street in Milan’s trendy
Navigli district. Although their activity has grown considerably since then, they continue to
develop new flavors of ice and sorbet in the gelato laboratory of the Col di Lana.
Today, the RivaReno brand is present in Italy, Malta, Spain, the United States, Australia,
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. The brand is therefore a reference of homemade ice cream around
the world.High-quality ingredients, exciting flavours and the velvety texture of RivaReno’s gelato

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and sorbets set them apart from the rest. The products have received numerous awards from
food connoisseurs, including the ‘Miglior Gelateria d’Italia’ (best ice cream shop in Italy) prize
from the Golosaria food and wine association.
As a salesperson, I was able to feel the history of the brand through the customer experience.
While prices were not the lowest on the island, quality was clearly there and customers knew
what types of products they were paying for.
The team consisted of the owner of the ice cream factory, a saleswoman and a cook who
prepared all the ice cream and frozen pastries that were sold.
Here is an overview of the frozen pastries that were sold :

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c. My adaptation
So I had the chance to work in this ice plant from March 20 to May 26, 2023.
My schedules were quite staggered because I started at 4p.m and finished at midnight, at a rate
of 40 hours a week which is the norm in Malta.
The salary was very low because in Malta the minimum wage is about 800€ per month and I was
paid minimum wage.
My adaptation in the ice cream factory was not so simple at the beginning because I did not
think there was such know-how to serve ice cream. So I had to learn alongside my colleagues to
be able to serve ice cream that was satisfactory in the eyes of clients and my boss because the
aesthetic side had to be present but also the grammage had to be in a precise range and know
how to reproduce the right one gesture to have the right weight without weighing.
I really enjoyed the relationship with the customers, I think it was one of the most rewarding
aspects as I could recommend flavors, share my enthusiasm for the ice cream we prepared and it
was a pleasure to see people satisfied and to see them return the following days.
These conversations also helped me gain client service skills and understand the importance of
providing a positive client experience. It was the first time I did a job with a customer
relationship and I had everything to learn. I found it quite pleasant to be in touch with people
and to give them a good time. Even if certain behaviors could be quite inappropriate.
However, not everything was so perfect, like for example the atmosphere in the ice cream shop
that wasn’t great at the time. Especially with the chief who was not a very welcoming person. It
happened to me more than once to arrive without him answering when I saluted him. Also, I was
considered new throughout this experience and I had to do the thankless tasks without there
being any change in the responsibilities of the tasks. It was a rather embarrassing side but that I
accepted by taking on myself knowing that it lasted only a moment.
c. Search4You
During this experience I was able to concentrate on another professional activity. Before going
to Malta, I had to look for accommodation and it was complicated because it is very difficult to
find accommodation on the island. Prices are very high and the real estate market is very
dynamic. In France, there are several platforms to search for housing (Leboncoin, Seloger, etc.).
In Malta, there are no such platforms and there are also a lot of housing scams, which
complicates the search even more. Unless you know the real estate agencies on site, it is
therefore difficult to find suitable accommodation with reasonable prices.
With my work schedules that were staggered, I had time during the mornings to create a project
that was close to my heart. Having been in a difficult position in my search for accommodation I
told myself that I should not be the only one to encounter this problem and that I could help.
So I became interested in the Facebook groups that bring together the French in Malta and every
day dozens of people post messages to ask for help in their housing searches.

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I then had the idea to create a website that I called Search4You. The purpose of this site is
simple: to help the French who arrive on the island to find accommodation. Being on the spot, I
inquired about the real estate agencies present on the island and whose existence I did not know
before arriving.
My action plan was simple:
1) Search Facebook groups for people looking for housing.
2) Sends a private message promoting my website to help them.
3) Once on site, people were required to complete a form with their different criteria.
4) Once the form was completed, I could search for ads on the various websites of real estate
agencies.
5) Sends about 10 units to people

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6) If they were interested in one of the units, I could put them in touch with the agencies.
Rental Search Form :
My service was totally free because it was not possible for me to create a company for such a
short period knowing that when I return to France I should stop, because I would no longer have
time to take care of it. However, in view of the enthusiasm that my site generated I am convinced
that making this service pay could have worked because most of the people who arrived were
desperate in their search for housing.
Thanks to this activity, I was able to develop my skills in the creation of a professional website
and also satisfied to facilitate the search for accommodation for people who were coming soon
to Malta.
I was able to help some people find their future home and it was a real pleasure as well as a
great personal satisfaction to feel useful.

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III. Adapatation to the country and
personal experiences
My adaptation to the country was rather fast, indeed Malta being in Europe, the culture is quite
similar to France even if there are some differences like for example the driving left.
As far as Maltese culture is concerned, I didn’t really feel a strong culture. The population being
mostly foreign with many Italians I felt rather in Italy. However, it is quite indescribable since
many nationalities are represented, there are also many Colombians, Spanish, English and
French who live in Malta. I think that’s why there isn’t really a strong Maltese culture and it’s
more of a mix of European culture.
I was able to notice some things very quickly when I arrived, it is the feeling of security as well
as the atmosphere that is very quiet. At no time did I pass into a place where I did not feel
comfortable. Everyone is calm and warm enough and it is the right atmosphere that reigns. This
is quite striking when compared to France where people are more closed and the feeling of
security is not the same.
In Malta, it is not uncommon for people to leave their car with the keys on the ignition while
doing their shopping for example. Something that would not really be possible in France.
I may have felt a cultural difference in the work. Indeed, in France people work at least 35 hours
a week compared to 40 hours in Malta. The minimum wage is also significantly lower for more
hours worked.
Also, I had no break during my 8 hours of work per day. In France, it is not usual to work for 8
hours without at least 1 hour of break. It makes the work more tiring and I was quite impatient
to finish my day.
For my adaptation to the country, I had the chance to stay at home in the city of St. Julians. I
shared the apartment with the owner Natalia. She is originally from Colombia, she had come to
Malta to learn English for a few months then she finally fell in love with the island and decided to
stay there. She has lived there for 11 years now.
I was able to have many very enriching discussions with her, we shared many moments together
and she allowed me to discover the best places in Malta. It was a great meeting and I hope we
will see each other again in the future.
Thanks to my job, I was also able to meet people I worked with who were about my age, we did
many outings after work but also during the days when I was not working to visit the island.

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Here are some places I had the chance to visit:
The famous town of St. Julians where I stayed which is a very lively area with all the bars,
restaurants and nightclubs nearby, I enjoyed living there very much:

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I had the opportunity to visit the fishing village of Marsaxlokk located in the south-east of Malta
where is the most traditional and authentic fishing village of the island. This small town was one
of the first sieges of Malta and its port, one of the main commercial hubs of the island. Today
there are many small boats of colors that decorate the port and bring a unique charm to this
village. This harbour is still used by local fishermen today.
I also visited the famous Blue Lagoon, which is a destination that attracts tourists because the
sandy bottoms are shallow and the color of the water is cyan blue. This is an obligatory detour to
Malta. Many ticket sellers are located all along the coast
to sell seats. The Blue Lagoon is located right next to
the island of Gozo which is in the north of Malta and it
is necessary to take a boat to get there.

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I visited many other destinations such as the capital, Valletta or the island of Gozo where I
stayed for two days. I was able to move around the island using buses and free hire scooters.
Also, the price of Uber being much lower than in France this was a very practical point of my
trip.
To conclude on my adaptation and my personal experiences, I would say that this trip allowed
me to discover another way of life, much quieter and less stressful. I was able to meet some great
people that I befriended and had great experiences with.
IV. Benefits of international experience
My stay in Malta was more than just a few months in an ice-cream shop. It was an international
experience rich in discoveries and learning, both personally and professionally. In this part of
my report, I will highlight the many benefits I have gained from this experience, which will be a
plus in my life after this experience.
First, openness and cultural enrichment. Choosing Malta as a destination gave me the
opportunity to immerse myself in a multicultural country and interact with people of diverse
nationalities. It has allowed me to meet people who are totally different and who do not have the
same vision of life because we have not grown up and been educated under the same conditions
and with the same mentality. It’s a real opportunity for me to have had the opportunity to
exchange and learn from people from other places. This allowed me to broaden my vision of the
world and thus to have an open mind. This cultural enrichment will also be useful in my
professional life where I will be required to collaborate with international teams on construction
sites.
Then, of course, I was able to improve my language skills, especially in English. Working in the
ice cream shop or with Natalia, my host, I was constantly exposed to the English language, which
allowed me to develop my communication and understanding skills. It is a real satisfaction for
me to have practiced English while being immersed in this environment. Also, in my future
professional life I want to expatriate and I think it will be a good asset to find a job.
Adaptability and flexibility. Living and working in a foreign environment has tested my
adaptability and flexibility. I had to adjust to a new environment, to specific professional
requirements that were completely different from what I had experienced in previous
experiences. I was able to adapt quite quickly to this new environment. In reality, everything
was facilitated by the ideal living environment, which did not require special effort. In addition I
was warmly welcomed by my host to whom I could ask all my questions knowing that I would
have an answer. My biggest adjustment was professional, because I had to learn a trade.
Admittedly, it was not a very complicated job but I had to prove myself quickly to show that I
was able to be productive for the company.
Exploring the country and social gatherings. Apart from my work at the ice cream factory, I had
the opportunity to discover the best places in Malta. I was able to visit its historic cities, beaches
and beautiful landscapes. These experiences allowed me to immerse myself in the local culture
and establish friendships with people from different backgrounds. These encounters and
discoveries not only enriched my experience, but also allowed me to develop my knowledge and
expand my social network.

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Finally, personal development. Living and working abroad has strengthened my self-confidence
and developed my autonomy. Faced with new challenges and unknown situations, I had to show
initiative, decision-making and resilience. This experience allowed me to believe in my abilities
and to feel able to take on new challenges. I had many doubts before leaving for several reasons.
As explained at the beginning of this report, my plans changed at the last minute and I was able
to find solutions and do what I wanted. I also felt some apprehension about my ability to leave
for several months, before departure. This apprehension is due to a bad experience in the past,
when I arrived in Caen in the first year of preparatory class, I had a lot of trouble to adapt. The
first two years were quite difficult because I missed my city, my friends and my family. So I have
a bad memory of it, and I was a little apprehensive about this international experience of going
through the same thing again, of feeling alone and away from everyone. This was not the case at
all, at no time during my internship I felt the urge to return to Paris. I lived this experience
100%. It is also a pride for me to feel that I have changed and that I am mentally stronger than 5
years ago.
To conclude on the benefits of this experience I would say that it was very rewarding, it opened
my mind, I was able to enrich culturally, improve my level of English. I was also able to enjoy
unique social and tourist experiences, while allowing me to develop personally. These benefits
will be essential assets in my life and in my future professional career.
V. Conclusion
My internship experience in Malta was truly transformative, allowing me to explore a new
country, to gain a totally different professional experience from what I had been able to
experience until now and to engage in various personal and cultural experiences. For about
three months, I had the opportunity to experience many things that I would not have
experienced if I had not left. When I reflect on this experience I am very proud and satisfied with
everything I have been able to accomplish.
I went abroad with mainly linguistic objectives. The goal was to improve my oral
comprehension, to enrich my vocabulary, to be able to hold a conversation and understand the
instructions, and to evolve in an anglophone environment at work. I think I have fulfilled all
these objectives because my level at the end of this experience is not the same as when I arrived
and I feel more comfortable when I have a discussion even though my level is still far from
excellent.
While these goals were near and dear to my heart, I eventually gained more than just language
skills.
Choosing Malta as a destination proved to be a wise choice. This dynamic Mediterranean island
has given me the opportunity to discover beautiful landscapes, meet people from all walks of life
and develop personally.
I would say that the strengths of my internship were the meeting with my host who put me in
the best conditions so that I could feel comfortable in the country. Also, with the free time I had, I
was able to devote myself to my website. This personal project was very important to me and I
am very pleased to have been able to make it a reality and help people find their future housing.
In conclusion, my internship experience in Malta exceeded my expectations. It provided me with
valuable skills, expanded my cultural understanding and provided me with the opportunity to

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meet incredible people. I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance I have received
from my host, my colleagues and the people living in Malta with whom I have been able to
exchange. This experience has clearly enriched my academic career and I am convinced that the
memories, lessons learned and connections made during my stay will continue to inspire and
guide me throughout my future projects.
VI. Annex
1. Flight tickets
Boarding pass of March 14, 2023 (Paris -> Malta) :

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Boarding pass of May 30, 2023 (Malta -> Paris) :

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2. Work certificate