Una Batinic’s Internship at Willingness
After completing a three-month internship at Willingness, I feel incredibly grateful and inspired. Throughout the journey, I explored many unique aspects of psychology and professional care. Interestingly, each day brought new tasks that challenged me to grow and adapt quickly. Moreover, working across different settings pushed me outside my comfort zone in meaningful ways. Every opportunity helped me understand myself better and sharpened my professional communication skills. Additionally, I gained practical insight into how multidisciplinary teams collaborate within a mental health setting. Over time, I developed a stronger sense of responsibility and confidence in my abilities. Most importantly, I realised how rewarding it is to support others with empathy. Reflecting on everything, I know this experience will shape my future in powerful ways. Ultimately, these memories and lessons will stay with me for a lifetime.
A Heartwarming Experience Working with Children
I worked with children in camps and supported childminding, gaining insight into helping kids with autism. During these moments, I felt inspired by their resilience and the joy they brought each day. Moreover, the time spent with them taught me valuable lessons that went far beyond language or culture. This experience sparked my curiosity, encouraging me to do further research and shift how I approach certain behaviours. Over time, I adapted more effectively and developed a deeper level of patience and understanding. Ultimately, these children left a lasting impact on me and will always hold a special place.
Una Batinic Reflections on Chat Bar Mental Health Support
We also took part in local festivals, offering mental health support through the innovative and engaging Chat Bar concept. Every shift brought something new, with some being calm while others demanded quick decisions and flexible communication skills. That constant unpredictability made the entire experience exciting, fun, and incredibly valuable for developing real-world interpersonal competence.
Behind the Scenes at the Hub
The Hub was where I spent most of my time, gaining insight into daily operations and teamwork. Moreover, I got a behind-the-scenes look at how the company functions through tasks like facilities care, client management, and marketing. In addition, personal assignments pushed me to research, reflect, and think creatively about a wide range of relevant topics. We also had the privilege of attending various trainings and supervisions that enriched our understanding of professional practice. Finally, listening to case presentations and joining brainstorming sessions offered valuable lessons in empathy, strategy, and collaborative thinking.
Una Batinic Reflections on Client Intakes at Willingness
One of the most impactful parts of the internship involved conducting real client intakes. Through this hands-on experience, I developed stronger listening skills and deeper emotional awareness. Additionally, every intake session revealed the complex realities people face each day. As a result, I gained valuable perspective on mental health struggles across different age groups. Each story shared by clients highlighted the uniqueness of individual emotional experiences. Meanwhile, I became increasingly curious about specialised fields within psychology and counselling. Consequently, I started identifying specific areas I would love to explore further. Notably, these moments challenged me to remain open, non-judgmental, and fully present. Over time, I felt more confident handling emotional conversations and building client rapport. Ultimately, this opportunity shaped my future goals and clarified my passion for this profession.
Final Thoughts on Una Batinic Reflections
This experience gave me valuable insight into my own strengths and needs, as well as a clearer understanding of the work environment I want and would like to have in the future. Meeting people from different backgrounds enriched my perspective and helped me grow both personally and professionally. I gained skills and knowledge that I know will support me throughout my future career. Forming connections with both Maltese and international peers made this journey even more meaningful. I will always carry the friendships, memories, and lessons from this internship with me.
Saħħa,
Una
