INTERVIEW TRAINEE – Víctor Moral

Meet Víctor Moral, a Spanish student who completed his Erasmus+ traineeship at EuGen – European Generation in Rome. In this interview, he shares what motivated him to take the leap, how the experience changed his perspective on the labour market, and what he would tell any student thinking about applying.
From overcoming early doubts to gaining confidence in an international work environment, his story is an honest and relatable account of what a traineeship abroad can really look like.

1. What motivated you to apply for a traineeship abroad?

My main motivation was the chance to improve my English. I had always wanted to step out of my comfort zone and work outside my country, have an international experience and prove to myself that I could do it. I also clearly wanted to improve my professional skills so that in the future it would be easier for me to find a job. I think experiences like this help you grow both personally and professionally.

2. What were your expectations before starting the experience?

My expectations were quite low, especially when it came to adapting to a new country and a new city like Rome. I arrived with a bit of fear because I didn’t know anyone here, I didn’t really know the language, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. But in the end it has been the complete opposite. Thanks to the people I’ve met, many of them from my own country actually, I’ve felt really at home and I’m very comfortable with my lifestyle here. It has been a much more positive experience than I expected. In fact, after my traineeship from September to December, EuGen offered me a work contract from January to June, something I would have never imagined when I first arrived.

3. What was your first impression of the host organisation?

My first impression was that everything seemed more complicated than it actually was. At the beginning everything is new and it’s hard to understand how the company works and the projects they are involved in. But once I started working, I began to get used to the rhythm, and thanks especially to my colleagues, who made everything much easier, I’ve been able to work at a good pace and learn a lot of things. Now I feel much more confident.

4. Which skill do you feel you improved the most?

Definitely my language and communication skills. When I arrived my level of English was quite limited, but I’ve improved a lot because I use it every day here. My technological skills have also improved. I’ve noticed that I now have much more knowledge about design, digital tools and communication strategies. I feel much more prepared to work in international environments.

5. What was the biggest challenge you faced during your traineeship?

The first big challenge was really understanding all the work my company does. Getting to know their working processes and adapting to them took some time. The first weeks of adaptation are always difficult because you have to process a lot of new information in a short period of time. But once that initial phase is over, everything starts to flow and you begin to feel part of the team.

6. How did you adapt to a new working and cultural environment?

As I said before, I thought it was going to be much more difficult and that I would struggle because I didn’t know anyone, but in the end it was quite easy. I think having an open mindset is key. It also helps a lot to be surrounded by people who are in the same situation as you. I know it can be scary to leave home, but opportunities like this are worth taking because in the end they are really rewarding.

7. How did this traineeship change your view of the labour market?

It made me realise that the labour market is much more competitive than I thought, but also that there are many opportunities if you are willing to move and adapt. I understood how important it is to have practical experience, not just theoretical studies. I’ve also seen that companies really value things like being proactive, working well in a team and being able to adapt to different situations. This experience made me more aware of what companies are actually looking for.

8. How has this experience influenced your career goals?

This experience confirmed to me that I would like to work in an international environment. It has given me more confidence in myself and in my abilities. Before, I had more doubts about my professional future, but now I’m much clearer that I want to keep learning and look for opportunities abroad if necessary. It has helped me define my goals better and also made me a bit more ambitious. I am also very satisfied with how everything has developed — after my traineeship period from September to December, EuGen offered me a work contract from January to June, which I believe is the best proof that this kind of experience can truly open doors.

9. What skills do you think universities should focus on more?

I think universities should focus more on practical skills and not only on theory. For example, improving language levels, working more on real projects and developing digital skills. But I also think it’s very important to develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving. Many times you finish university with a lot of theoretical knowledge but without having developed these skills as much, even though companies really value them in the workplace. Strengthening the connection between universities and companies would really help prepare students better for the world of work.