KTU student from Ecuador after internship in Lithuania: my career started to take shape

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is one of ten Lithuanian universities participating in the UPinLT programme designed to help international students get paid internships in Lithuania and successfully integrate into the Lithuanian job market.

Among the hundreds of students who have benefited from this EU-funded programme is Daniela Espinosa Chauvin, a student of New Media Language at KTU.

The girl from Ecuador has been studying at KTU for three years and this year decided to do an additional internship at Biomapas, a pharmaceutical company. She says she learned about the UPinLT programme from the university newsletter.

“What caught my attention was that the competition was only for international students. So, I decided to apply too,” she recalls, admitting that she has been worrying that it might not be easy for her to find an internship in Lithuania as an international student.

However, just one month after submitting her first documents, she got the internship place at Biomapas. When Daniela talks about her decision to join this organisation, she points to two factors that influenced her choice: her study field and the company’s values.

“I chose Biomapas because it was one of the few companies that offered positions in the field of communication to KTU students, and the company’s vision and mission attracted me. As I got more acquainted, I realised that the company’s approach matched my own and what was relevant for my development,” recalls the student.

Felt like a real part of the team

“Now I feel confident in my position, even though at the beginning I had a lot of worries, I didn’t know how and what to do and I was afraid of making mistakes,” says Daniela. The company’s team and the attitude towards the trainees helped to dispel these doubts, she notes.

“They welcomed me into their company as if I were really a new employee and not just a trainee, which made me very happy,” says Daniela.

The company provided her with working equipment and introduced her to all the systems used at work, confidentiality agreements, fringe benefits, responsibilities and the company’s culture – she was able to participate in events and use all the office amenities, from the café to the roof terrace.

She was also impressed by the company staff’s English skills and their openness.

“One of the first impressions I had when I visited the company’s office was that all the staff spoke excellent English and were extremely friendly and attentive. From the very beginning, I was particularly impressed with the relationship with my colleagues in the sourcing team. I know that I can always talk to them not only about work or internships but also about personal issues. I appreciate this kind of working environment – I don’t feel too formal there,” says the KTU student.

Career shaping experience

When choosing this internship in Lithuania placement, the KTU student admits that her expectations were not focused on the internship itself, but rather on herself.

“I was hoping to get a better idea of what I wanted to do in the future. This internship has helped me achieve just that. Firstly, because I got to work in a slightly different field than what is directly related to the education I am pursuing. Tasks included screening and recruiting suitable candidates, assisting in job interviews, overseeing the company’s internal supplier systems, and creating content for Latin American countries. This experience not only enriched my CV but also gave me practical knowledge on how to handle job interviews,” says the KTU student from Ecuador.

I think internships should be paid because students work in companies part-time, sometimes even full-time. It is at this stage that many students start their independent lives, and they need money, work experience and time.

Although she says she does not yet know exactly what she will do after graduation, Daniela has felt that her career path has become much clearer in the last two months.

“I already have an idea of which work activities I like more and which I like less. If I get an offer to work in a similar field in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept,” she says.

The salary helped fund a trip home to Ecuador. As for the reasons for taking part in UPinLT, Daniela highlights three main aspects: finding an internship in Lithuania suitable for foreigners, gaining experience there, and getting a decent reward for the work done. The latter aspect is a crucial part of a fair working relationship, she says.

“I think internships should be paid because students work in companies part-time, sometimes even full-time. It is at this stage that many students start their independent lives, and they need money, work experience and time. Balancing all three can be a challenge, but paid internships help to take the first steps towards independent living and, at the same time, boost the motivation of interns and open more development opportunities,” says the KTU New Media Language student from Ecuador.

According to her, paid internships are undoubtedly a huge help for students.

“I chose this internship not only to gain experience that would help me in the future but also because I knew it would contribute to my dream of returning to Ecuador to be with my family this summer. I am confident that the opportunities provided by this programme will help me achieve both my professional and personal ambitions,” says Daniela.

22 Jul 2024