Laithan Tucci’s Intern Experience at Willingness 

A Sky-High Moment of Reflection

I’m writing this blog in the sky. My seat is too small, my laptop is balanced on a tiny food tray, and the soft pinks of sunset give the scene a satirically romantic glow. Below me, the Maltese islands grow smaller as we distance. It feels poetic.

It’s the 31st of August, and this sunset closes not only the summer, but also my Malta internship at Willingness Clinic. With 45 minutes left on the flight to Italy and no Wi-Fi, I can only reflect on my experiences.

So…with a 45 minute plane ride back to Italy and no in-flight wifi, what else am I to do than to reflect on my experiences? I’ve had 60 days of life in Malta (honestly 60 days that feel more like a pipe dream than reality). Here is what these 60 days meant to me. 

How I Found My Malta Internship

I first heard about Willingness Clinic and its internship programme through a university friend. She described an organisation with a Trauma Clinic, Sex Clinic, Family Clinic, and Health Clinic. It sounded almost too good to be true.

After researching and reaching out, I was delighted to be accepted into the Summer internship in Malta. Even before arriving, I met fellow interns during online training calls, and it was clear we would become a surrogate family. I couldn’t have been more correct.

The Challenges and Rewards of Camp Willingness

The internship was busy, diverse, insightful, and rewarding—but not easy. The greatest challenge was Camp Willingness, which also took up most of my time. Over 11 weeks, professionals worked with children on mental wellbeing and resilience through creative, organised play.

Watching the children develop skills in emotion regulation, social interactions, and problem-solving was deeply fulfilling. I especially valued my connection with neurodiverse children, guiding them from co-regulating their emotions to doing so independently. The drawings they made for me are now treasured souvenirs of my Malta internship experience.

Beyond Camp – Diverse Learning Opportunities

Although two-thirds of my internship was at Camp, I also explored many other services at Willingness.

• ChatBar: Showed me the importance of providing a safe, nonjudgmental space for those under the influence of substances.
• The Hub: Offered behind-the-scenes insights into running a large, multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Workshops: Led by professionals from diverse psychology disciplines, showcasing complementary approaches within the clinic.

However, my favourite moments came during case discussions.

Case Discussions – Where Theory Meets Practice

I attended around 15 case study discussions, each led by a Willingness professional and based on a de-identified real-life client. Senior psychologists offered guidance, and at times, I contributed my own insights.

Some discussions moved me to tears, particularly when we heard follow-ups about clients’ progress years after therapy. These moments brought a taste of the joy that comes from seeing a client heal. Here, theory met practice in the most meaningful way—an unforgettable part of my Malta internship.

Closing the Chapter – And Opening the Next

As I write this, my plane has landed, and I’m on a train to Milan. Ahead of me lies the second half of my master’s degree; behind me, a two-month Malta internship that shaped my professional path.

I’m grateful for the learning, challenges, and relationships it brought. My resolve to work in mental health—helping clients navigate complexity and find healing—has never been stronger.