Participant’s Name: Sílvia Blaya Calderó
Project: TLN Mobilicat
Type of Programme: VET: Vocation, Education and Training
Organizer: Xena Centro Scambi e Dianamiche Interculturali, Italy
Sending Organization: Associació Alba, Spain
During my years as a Humanities student (majoring in Art History), living in Italy was always
one of my goals. At that time, I think I used to conceive the country as an abstract concept, as a
refuge, an idealized place. In the second year at university, I was able to make my first trip with
some fellow students and, although I proposed to visit Padova, it finally fell out of the small
Italian route that we organized. Time passed and the passions were diluted, replaced by a beautiful
memory and a more realistic image.
Time later, in February 2023, I came across an informative pamphlet that asked me: do you want
to live 3 months in Padova, Italy? The first thing that crossed my mind was this other version of
me, this younger Sílvia who would finally have the opportunity to visit the chapel of the Scrovegni
by Giotto.
“She” gave me the first push to make the decision, but what convinced me were not the -perhaps
a little banal- old dreams and fantasies, but the world of opportunities presented to me by the
workers of the Associació Alba, the co-organizers of TLN Mobilicat. It’s an international mobility
project which aims to give young people the opportunity to live in another country for 3 months
and gain work experience in their sector, while providing language lessons and covering all
expenses, such as accommodation, transport and food. I could not believe that until then I had not
been aware of this kind of initiatives!
After some meetings I decided to be part of this adventure and in March we started the whole
process. We were a group of 5 people who had never lived abroad. We felt a little respect, but
above all very much desire to embark on this new path.
During the month of March, we had intensive Italian classes for beginners that allowed us to
establish the foundations of the language. It was fundamental and very helpful. We also started
with intercultural training, the preparation of the trip and group sessions, as well as meetings with
Mary and Silvia, the coordinators of our group by Xena, the association that would receive us in
Padova. We spoke to them individually about our professional experience, expectations and fears
and they find us the accommodation and the place where we would do the internships.
On April 12 we arrived at what would be our home for the next few months. In my case, I shared
an apartment with an Italian woman and her two dogs. At her house I had a great time, we became
friends, and I could practice and learn the language in a more personal and daily context. I also
started working in an independent children’s bookstore called Pel di carota, in the city centre. It
was a wonderful experience. The patience of my bosses, and my effort to adapt and do my best
created a good team. In the bookstore I had the opportunity to read, listen, talk and write. I felt
valued and respected, learned a lot and contributed my share to their business and cultural
initiatives. It was very enriching in every way.
During our stay in Italy we continue to receive Italian lessons once a week. In addition, Xena
organized excursions that gave us the opportunity to discover, as a group, other nearby cities such
as Venice, Bologna and Verona, and to better known Padova with guided tours.
We never felt unprotected, as Silvia and Mary continued to be the reference people to turn to if
we had any problems. We continued to have meetings and encounters with them, both group and
individual, to share experiences about how we were.
At first, 3 months seemed like an eternity, but they passed terribly quickly. Guess when you feel
comfortable time passes very quickly.
It was a very important period, full of learning, where no problems arose. I always felt free and
supported by two associations that do a great job, very well received both at home and at work,
and very well accompanied by my colleagues and a fantastic city and its people that I still keep
in my memory.