Taking the leap to complete an Erasmus+ internship abroad is an incredible decision, but let’s be entirely honest—the first few days can feel like a massive emotional rollercoaster. You are stepping off a plane into a completely foreign country, adjusting to a new language, and preparing to work in a high-energy luxury resort.
If you call your parents during your first week crying or feeling overwhelmed, congratulations: you are completely normal! Almost every single international student goes through the exact same transition. To show you just how fast things change, let’s take a look at what the typical phone call home looks like during Week 1 vs. Month 3 of a Mediterranean hospitality placement.
"I miss home already."
During your first few days on the island, the comfort zone you left behind feels very far away. Everything around you is brand new—the climate, the streets, the food, and the workplace rhythm.
The Reality: You haven't fully bonded with your teammates yet, you are still navigating the layout of your staff housing, and you are trying to figure out how the local supermarkets and buses work.
The Takeaway: It is completely fine to feel homesick or vulnerable right now. Your brain is simply processing a huge lifestyle shift, and acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward overcoming them.
"The hotel is huge! What if I make mistakes?"
Walking onto a massive 4 or 5-star resort property for your initial training shifts can feel incredibly daunting. The hallways seem endless, the guest requests are fast-paced, and suddenly you have to speak English all day long.
The Anxiety: You might feel like your vocabulary is clumsy, or you might worry about misunderstanding an international traveler at the front desk or in the restaurant.
The Takeaway: Every single legendary Erasmus intern started exactly where you are standing right now. Resort teams are deeply supportive and expect you to ask questions. Mistakes are not failures; they are the literal blueprints of learning.
"Guess what happened today!"
Fast forward twelve weeks, and the tone of your phone calls home changes completely. Your parents can barely get a word in edgewise because you are bursting with hilarious stories, updates about your global friend group, and exciting plans for your next day off.
The Transformation: You are casually sharing inside jokes from the kitchen, recounting a wonderful compliment a guest left about your service, or planning a weekend road trip to explore hidden island cliffs with roommates from five different countries. Your English has become second nature, and you navigate the resort like you own the place.
"Can I stay longer? I don't want to leave."
This is the ultimate milestone of the Erasmus experience. The exact same resort town that felt completely unfamiliar, overwhelming, and confusing during your first seven days has quietly transformed into your second home.
The Transformation: You look at the local team, the sandy beaches, and your daily routine and realize you cannot imagine your life without them. The thought of catching your return flight home suddenly feels much harder than the thought of boarding the plane to get here.
Most students start their international placement with a suitcase full of nervous anticipation and fear. But by pushing through those initial uncomfortable days, they finish their season with an elite professional skill set, an unbreakable global network, and a fierce sense of independent confidence.
Don't let the temporary nerves of Week 1 stop you from unlocking the unforgettable magic of Month 3. Amber Job is here to guide you through every single phase of your journey, ensuring you are fully supported from the moment you apply to the day you head home.
Host-Side Scholarships & Grants to keep your budget secure
Free Shared Accommodation so you instantly gain a built-in family
Free Daily Meals at the resort canteen
24/7 On-Site Support from our experienced coordinators to help you navigate the transition smoothly
Are you currently in Week 1 mode or Month 3 mode? Let us know in the comments! If you haven't started your journey yet, explore our open 2026 summer placements and apply today to watch your own transformation happen!