Hi everyone! My name is Tina, I am 21 and I am from France, more precisely in La Clusaz, in the heart of the Alps near Annecy.
I am currently doing a Bachelor’s degree in Event Marketing and Sustainable Tourism at the professional school in Annecy. It’s 15-month of studing, including 3 months abroad (September – October – November). I am doing an apprenticeship with a company in La Clusaz that organises events (weddings, team building, brunch, birthdays). As far as mobility is concerned, our year group is going to the Azores archipelago in Portugal for 3 months on the island of Sao Miguel to do an internship with a company. Why the Azores ? Our teachers were able to visit the area and set up partnerships with local companies that matched the expectations and objectives of our training. This destination corresponds to the challenges of the training (sustainable development, events, activities, clients, contact, etc.).
It is going to be an unforgettable experience that will take us through some incredible things. We will be able to meet new people, experience a new culture and improve our English. This will be the first time I have been away for so long, away from my family and my everyday life. It’s stressfull, but I am well surrounded. I am being accompanied by Luna, Clarisse and Marion, so all four of us will be working for different companies. For my part, I am going to work for Fun Activities Azores Adventure; thanks to Paulo (the boss) for this opportunity. The company offers a wide range of experiences and activities (canyoning, coasteering, kayaking, hiking, ebiking, paddle).
It’s 3:00am on Friday 30th August 2024, time to leave home and head for Geneva airport. Few hours later, we had arrived in Lisbon and were waiting for our connecting flight to Ponta Delgada. That’s it, there is no turning back, we landed on the island in the late afternoon, and it is hot and humid. Paulo, my boss, is there to pick me up to my accommodation: the Residencia Sao Francisco Xavier. All four of us are in this accommodation, which is very reassuring. We received a very warm and friendly welcome, and it was almost like being at home. I got to know Pedro, my future colleague, who is very friendly and welcoming, and who is staying at the same place.
After spending the weekend discovering Ponta Delgada and getting our bearings, it is time to pack for Monday 02nd September 2024. I’m ready for my first day at work ! Let’s go to the warehouse to meet the team. Here I am with Tiago, on the Sete Cidades Experience programme. After dropping off the walking sticks in the van, we set off to collect the clients from their hotels, then head off to Sete Cidades. I saw some magnificent landscapes, and discovered the blue and green lakes. Tiago told us lots of anecdotes ; he is passionate, and you could feel it in the stories he told us. I am seeing everything I had seen in my guidebook to the Azores for real ; it is incredible what I am experiencing. I then discover the former 5-star hotel, which is now abandoned ; this spot is full of stories. After taking in all the sights, we head to the bike shed to do the route with the ebikes. We are on the edge of the lakes, and it really beautiful. Although the weather is not always good in Sete Cidades, I am having a great first day. A picnic and off we go again ! Once I have taken the clients back to their hotels, it is time to head back to the warehouse and join my friends at the residence.
It is time to tell you that my English is not incredible (the whole team knows in advance that I am French as soon as I say a word, given the accent ahah). So it is not easy to understand everything, let alone express myself the way I want to. It takes time and concentration, and you get tired and frustrated. I know that the language barrier is going to be a difficult stage, but as soon as my English improves, it will be easier and more fluid. The team is understanding, which is great and reassuring.
Missing my family and my daily routine is put to the test during the first few weeks, and it is not always easy. But I am lucky enough to be in a very welcoming, smiling, understanding and supportive company. My friends are there too, and we cheer each other up. Every evening, we tell each other about our days and it is good to relax.
I am a shy person, so it is difficult to fit in at first. The language barrier does not help, although I try to open up to others. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, in terms of my personality, my character, my daily life, English, work, etc. It is a real challenge for me. I am going to be very proud to have achieved this mobility when I return to France.
On the second day, I meet up with Pedro and Diego (guide) and Barbara (Brazilian, on a 1-month internship). Today we will be coasteering in Caloura. It is the first time I have done this activity, and I can not wait to find out more. When we arrived at the warehouse, we prepared all the necessary equipment (wetsuits, shoes, socks, helmets, lifejackets and all the safety equipment). Once there, we get to know the site and go and see the clients. I am very happy, there are some Belgian clients, so they speak French ! It feels strange to be speaking in my mother language, but it feels good. Once we were all dressed and ready, we headed for the rocks and the ocean. I had a great time, we laughed, we jumped, it was great ; I saw more new landscapes. When the activity was over, we had to go and clean up all the equipment in the warehouse.
Coasteering is one of my favourite activities and, as Pedro would say throughout my internship: « Best job in the world » !!!!
We are on day three, and today it is canyoning with Rodrigo in Caldeiros (a first for me to do this activity). Here I am at the warehouse preparing the necessary equipment, then we are off to collect the 2 clients from their hotel. It is a protected reserve that is very pretty and very touristy. I saw lots of flowers and waterfalls. I have to admit I didn’t think the water in the canyon was that cold, it is a really nice experience. Now we are off to Furnas to try the traditional Cozido, which was really good. Afterwards, we went to a botanical garden where there was also a hot water pool. It was incredible to try it out and swim in 38°C brown water (there is sulphur). As after every activity, we dropped the clients off at their hotel and then went back to the warehouse to clean the equipment.
For Thursday’s programme, I went with Daniela (guide) and Bárbara on a hiking tour with a group of 4 clients. We visited a tea plantation, then went for a short hike to see the waterfalls. After a good picnic, we made several stops to discover the viewpoints, which were all very beautiful!
On my last working day before the weekend, I returned to Sete Cidades with Henrique (guide) and Bárbara. We were at the premises to hand over the bikes to Tiago’s group and to individual clients. This kind of day is quite long because we wait for the clients to come and collect their bikes, do their routes and bring them back to us. Once all the bikes have been collected and loaded into the van, we head to the warehouse to clean them all.
That was my first week at work. After that, throughout the 3 months, I was always on hand to help the guides.
I have a little anecdote: every time a client asks some of the local guides where they’re from, the guides always reply «born and rest». It made a big impression on me during my internship because they’re so proud of where they come from. The Azorians are really in love with their islands.
The team is incredible and so kind! Looking back, I don’t regret it at all, it was a very rewarding experience and I am very proud of myself. I learnt new skills and, in particular, improved my English (listening and speaking). In short, I have got some wonderful memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
During our days off, we went on visits (tea and pineapple plantations) and activities (hiking, canyoning, ebiking, surfing, etc). We also go to restaurants to discover the local gastronomy. My colleagues have suggested that we go out together on several occasions (barbecues, bars, restaurants). We always had a great time and a lot of laughs. I would like to thank them for that! We are immersed in the local culture and we discover new things every day.
So, over the course of these 3 months, I was able to take part in many activities like these on several occasions. They were great discoveries and very rewarding! I was able to interact with the team and the clients, which allowed me to practise and improve my English.
I would like to thank Paulo and all his team for their warm welcome, their kindness, their smile, for all the opportunities I had and for everything they taught me and passed on to me. It was a pleasure to be immersed with them during my stay.
Thank you for everything and maybe I will see you soon!
