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Bc. Monika Kajzarová , Brno University of Technology,
ročník 4About the country
Location of the place
Cyprus is an island located in the east part of Mediterranean Sea. The island is divided into Cyprus republic and part occupated by Turkey. If you rent a car you can travel through whole island in a few days there and back. People are known by their huge hospitality, friendly and very cheerful temper.
City
Limassol is well-known and touristic popular city on the south-west part of the island. You can spend day on the beach and night at Guaba, which is world known night club (it works 24/7 except Sunday-be aware of that) - party animals can appreciate it :). Evening walks along the beach to Marina harbour are perfect for romantic souls.
Surroundings (possible trips, ...)
In Limassol you can visit few museums, galleries or Zoo (hippopotamus was really cute) if you are interested or Amathus which is half an hour by bus (some pics in gallery are took there). About travelling, I really recommend to rent a car, it is faster and sometimes even cheaper than by bus. Some trips we made on our own e.g. Aya Napa-nice beaches, party place like Stodolní street in Ostrava but bigger. Next place we visited was Kourion (archeological site), Paphos and more. Some trips were organised by IAESTE Cyprus e.g. boat trip to Blue Lagoon (it is really worth to go), wine tasting and more.
Employer
Employer
I was on internship in Sewerage Board of Limassol - Amathus, backwards I realised that I was really lucky to be right there. It is a public company which main task is the construction, operation and maintenance of the public sewerage and stormwater drainage system. SBLA is located next to the Water Board of Limassol.
Work description
First day at work we (me and other trainee) were introduced to every employee at the company and then our supervisors told us what we will do the whole time of our internship. Everybody was very friendly, kind and trying to talk with us (everybody was excited about Prague and Vienna). To be honest, they have different work efficiency then we get used to but at least we could enjoy our stay at the full blast. The first week I got to read about Drainage system of Limassol from 2003 the next week I was controlling connections of houses to the sewerage system with Marios (you gotta love this guy :) ) next few weeks I was working with my beloved "orange" files so I drawed connected plots into AutoCAD or I helped Elene with the blue ones ;) and the last week I spent copying CD-s into computer. Once, Phillipos took us to 3-4 pumping stations and with other employee we visited Moni wastewater treatment plant. I also visited some construction sites with my supervisor Christina.
Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)
My week salary was 165e which was not enough for travelling and other stuff but I did not go on internship to become a millionaire. I had 2 options how they could get me money, by checks or by bank transfer. So after internship they sent me whole amount of money on bank account. Some trainees got a check every week and had problem to get money because opening hours of banks are pretty short on Cyprus (only till 2 pm).
Language requirements
Language requirement for the internship was that english has to be excellent what was not really necessary. Some of employees had studied in the UK, moreover everybody speaks english in the company (Cyprus used to be british colony).
Accommodation (price, who provided it)
It was provided by IAESTE and the price was 91e per week finally + 150e for deposit. We lived in the oldest dorm thanks to last year trainees who were making barbecue on the rooftop even it is prohibited. Everybody had own room with tiny balcony, bathroom and kitchen was shared for the whole floor.
Social life
Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)
When I came to the Paphos airport I took a bus to Limassol and on the last stop the taxi picked me up and got me to the dorm. Before I came to Cyprus IAESTE Cyprus contacted me and informed me about everything I needed to know.
Meeting other foreign students
Honestly I was really lucky to meet such a wonderful group of other trainees. Thanks to them my stay reached to higher level. The guy from Austria had an internship in the same company like me so we walked to work together. And at least I had somebody to drink a coffee and talk with so we both could work really hard B).
Sport and culture
Once we tryed to go on yoga class on the beach but it was cancelled unfortunately. Some of trainees did workout on the beach and went running I adored their will to do so. In our cultural evenings were included beers bought in Kiosk (24/7) and sitting/talking on the beach/pier. IAESTE Cyprus organised a few cultural trips for us (winery tasting, sightseeing..).
Food, local specialties
On the first Friday we had dinner and met for the first time with trainees from Nicosia and IAESTE Cyprus took us for Meze which is food with many courses (up to 15-it depends on restaurant). It consists of Greek salad, Souvlaki-meat on the stick, Tzatziki and more. Cypriots are possessed with Frappe and Cyprus coffee (the day cant start without Frappe for them).
Other information
Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic
Via mobile phone I dont know if other trainees used different possibilities.
Recommendations for students who will go to the same place
Go, go, go! Do not think about it much and go. You will get experience, friends, possibilities it is definitively worth to go.
What not to forget with you
Suncream, swimsuit, sunglasses, money, good mood.
Benefits of the internship
In Cyprus they will teach you how to relax, do not hurry and just relax! This internship means a lot for me, thanks to people I met, it helped me to raise my self-confidence.
Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country
IAESTE Cyprus organised many trips for us, especially boat trip to the Blue Lagoon was worth to it. And if we needed some help they were always there for us.
Overall experience with IAESTE
I really recommend to go on internship with IAESTE.
Student's website
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Employer's webiste
http://www.sbla.com.cy
Other useful links
http://www.cyprusbybus.com/
Other comments
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