Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/310131
XI Yasmin Fernandez, a 26 year-old Spaniard, had the opportunity to travel to Malta 10 months ago after finishing her studies in Finance Management and Administration to develop her professional skills. The EU pro- grammes Erasmus and Leonardo made this experience possible. Yasmin looks back with a smile at the leap she made across the Mediterranean to a new home. "I came to Malta to do a number of internships in my area of study. Amongst others I learnt alternative ways to do business, increased my career prospects, I have become more independent and met hundreds of people coming from different countries. I also had the amazing opportunity to experience this adventure in another language – English. As a result, I improved my language skills considerably, more than I thought possible. My experience has made me discover my passion for online marketing and I am now working as a Social Media assistant in a very busy Maltese company." She speaks positively of work mobility. "The European mobility scheme is not only beneficial to students and workers but also to the member states as they are given the opportunity to be part of a bigger context. Malta, a small island, can become more European, and can develop better in cooperation with other countries." Despite having settled well in Malta, Yasmin has set her eyes on a new goal. "I am interested in a position where travel is a must. I love the feeling of getting to know new cultures, new people, and new mentalities. I count myself lucky to have my current job, but I want to grow further as a person and in my profession." Yasmin says that whilst the economic situation in Spain has tempered her work expectations, her stay in Malta has rekindled them. "As far as I am concerned youth unemployment is the most serious issue my generation is confronted with. Youth unemployment has climbed to staggering levels in many European countries. However, she says youth unemployment is not a real problem in Malta and the expectations of the Maltese youth in relation to the job market are relatively high." As a foreigner looking at Malta from the outside, she can see that European Union projects help EU citizens in discovering Malta's identity and its work culture in a way a normal vacation cannot. "Malta offers many career opportunities which are not only valid for Maltese citizens but rather for all EU citizens. Furthermore, Malta has a vast digital industry which attracts the youth generation to its shores." "Europe enables people to pursue their desired job; they are not confined to working in their native countries only, but can also do skilled jobs outside their country. I believe that Malta's MEPs will highlight how the youth work situation in Malta is f lourishing and can be an example to other European countries." Yasmin says she will be voting in the upcoming European parliament elections, "I want to have representatives who are ready to fight against corruption and for our rights as well as for better conditions of life, such as less bureaucracy, more money and better welfare." maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 MAY 2014 Europe 2014 Living with the travel bug Yasmin Fernandez says the European Parliament needs to address the issue of youth unemployment. Nonetheless, she is very happy that EU education funds brought Malta onto her radar