Evelina was one of many interns at Willingness. She shared her company experience during her time in Malta. She delves into all the knowledge, skills, and professional guidance that was received during her time at Willingness.
My Summer Internship Journey
From the moment that I got an email saying that I got accepted to the internship at Willingness Clinic, I knew my summer was going to be extraordinary. As now as these 9 weeks are almost over, I can reflect on my experiences and rewind everything I took part in.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was my time spent at Camp Willingness, where I was working with children, some of whom had ADHD and Autism spectrum disorders. The time I spent with them enriched me with a deep understanding of the world that they live in, which is different from mine but is full of curiosity and great happiness that they carry in their hearts.
The Camp goal was focused on emotion regulation, so it was heartening for me to witness every child’s growth and development, knowing that my efforts played a small part in their journey. Another encounter I had with children was during my Childminding session when I spent a day full of games, crafts and songs with this adorable little girl. I remembered how is it to be a child again and to create entertainment out of thin air, also I deepened my understanding of child psychology and development.
In addition to my work with children, I had the opportunity to be a part of the team at the International Food Festival, where we have been working on educating people about the importance of having a healthy diet, a regular sleep schedule and taking care of mental and physical health. Not only did I have an opportunity to get to know more about a healthy body and mind or get involved in fun challenges with the participants of the festival, but also had a chance to taste some of the most exquisite meals from all over the world.
At the Summer Daze festival, I found myself in the ChatBar, a safe space designed for taking a break from a loud party and having a nice chat with a cup of tea in your hands. This role allowed me to engage with a wide range of people, mostly foreigners who were partying at the festival and came by to say hello. Lovely conversations and the thoughts people shared with us during the flashy nights of the Summer Daze was also charming highlight for me.
One of the most intellectually stimulating aspects of my internship was the clinical audit that we conducted with my fellow interns. The process of gathering and analyzing data, interpreting the results and writing the paper together truly upgraded my research skills to another level. I also took part in the data analysis and preparation for the research while I was attending the clinic, which revealed to me what kind of data is gathered from the clients and the variety of cases the professionals in the clinic are working with. And not to forget all the workshops that were organized by the most professional psychologists I have ever met!
I am very grateful for the time and dedication that was put into the workshops we had, I have learned a lot about different fields of psychology science.
Throughout this two-month journey, I not only gained practical skills and knowledge but also went through a lot of personal growth. My internship taught me the value of empathy, adaptability, and effective communication. I obtained a lot of priceless experience and formed some wonderful relationships along the way, and the time I spent in Malta is for sure one of the most remarkable practices I have ever had during my journey of being a professional. I am more than happy to say that this internship was more than just a two-month commitment; it was a chapter in my life that enriched my perspective and reinforced my dedication to transforming this world into a better place.
Written by Evelina Jasiulionytė – Psychology intern at Willingness