What would you say about the opportunity to develop professional ideas under a palm tree, where the sun and the sea become the engine of your creativity? It is possible! An inspiring interview that shows that international exchange is much more than just an internship or studies. It is a life experience from which you can learn, grow and discover the world anew. After a two-month Erasmus+ internship in Tenerife, Anastasija Zaburdiajevaitė, a student of the Photography study programme at the Faculty of Arts and Education, shares her unforgettable impressions.

– What encouraged you to take advantage of international opportunities?

– Tenerife, known as the island of the sun, has always been a corner of my heart. I have been there a couple of times and fell in love with this island. When I found out about the opportunity to do a photography internship in Tenerife under the Erasmus+ programme, the choice became self-evident. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to develop not only professionally, but also personally.

– What were your internship days like?

– My days in Tenerife were really unpredictable! Sometimes I started work in the afternoon, but there were also mornings when I got up well before the sun for sunrise photoshoots. I did my internship in a company that has various businesses, so the spectrum of my work was extremely wide. From surfing lessons on the beach to personal photoshoots and even photographing the interior and exterior of a coliving type villa – there was no shortage of variety!

– What are the biggest differences you noticed between your internship in Lithuania and Tenerife?

– The biggest difference is Canarian Time or the perception of time. People in Tenerife have a completely different approach to time than we do in Lithuania. Here, locals not only allocate time for work but also for relaxation, sunbathing, late dinners and even parties without a special occasion. Canarian Time is also manifested in work: when it’s done, it’s good – people are flexible, and they don’t rush to set a completion date for work. In Lithuania, we are much more punctual and demand stricter standards.

– What were the most interesting experiences?

– In Tenerife, I had a great opportunity not only to work on internship tasks but also to create my own personal projects. One of them was the idea born under a palm tree, to create my own project about the Yerba Mate tea culture in the south of Tenerife, especially in the city of El Médano, where I spent a lot of time. I used digital equipment to do the internship, but I also took a film of analogue photography with me, which served as a basis for my ideas. This project was my creative experiment and was truly significant for my professional growth.

– How has this internship contributed to your personal and professional growth?

– From a professional point of view, this internship only confirmed for me once again that the world needs real photography, not photos generated by artificial intelligence. This is a live activity that requires real professionals who take high-quality photos. Personally, this experience allowed me to face fears, learn to adapt and overcome inner discomfort to achieve the best results. During the two months of internship, I encountered situations that encouraged me to clarify my values ​​and follow them accordingly.

– Did you have the opportunity to collaborate with other artists or photographers?

– One of the most important moments was visiting the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA), where I met various artists from different corners of the world. I had only met one other photographer, but meetings with jewellers, artists and musicians helped broaden my approach to creativity.

– What new professional methods did you discover in this internship?

– In Tenerife, I learned to appreciate the little things that you can’t learn just by listening to lectures. For example, communicating with the client and the posing model – these subtle nuances of gaining trust and establishing a connection are simply necessary to achieve the best result. The internship was really useful because it helped me acquire new skills that I can apply in the future.

– How has this internship influenced your future career plans?

– This internship has definitely encouraged me to move forward in the field of photography. Now I am more courageous, I think less about mistakes and I am more focused on what is happening now. This experience has also broadened my perspective on photography and helped me realise that real skills, real work and real creativity will always be appreciated.

– Are there any special moments from your time in Tenerife that you would like to share?

– I will never forget my first days in Tenerife, when due to circumstances I did not have a place to stay and spent a couple of nights in a hostel. However, on the third night, unexpected friends came into my life – an Argentine family who took me in as their own. Also, the last days of the trip were memorable because of the carnival in the capital – a real transformation of life in Tenerife. Observing the life of the locals inspired me to take more care of my emotional and physical health.

–What advice would you give to other students who are considering Erasmus+ internships?

– If you are considering the Erasmus+ opportunity, know for sure that it will be one of the best experiences of your life. Erasmus+ allows you not only to gain internships in your field, but also to get to know another culture, discover new people and, most importantly, get to know yourself better. If you have the desire – definitely don’t stop!

More information about international exchange opportunities can be found here.