Very excited to start this journey!!

xoxo Sarah Moloney

We went over all of the details concerning finance as well as the flight detail and information.

I can't wait to explore a city I've never been to and experience to their unique culture.

I'm especially excited to gain practical skills that will help me in my future career progression.

I'm taking a music production course.

On Thursday, we had a meeting where we learned all about our upcoming trip to Málaga.

During this trip, I want to have fun with new people and gain valuable work experience.

Went for a walk on the port and found a really nice restaurant and got the Sea Bream which was amazing 🙏

The town where we’re staying is absolutely beautiful and everybody is so nice,

I’ve really enjoyed learning some new Spanish words and can’t wait to learn more !

Adios,

Abi

A decent amount of people speak English so there is no worry about the transition into the workplace as everyone seems to be very nice and relaxed.

Over the past couple of days I explored the city centre and I got to properly get to know the other students. We went for walks, to the beach and had a great time.

We will be going on a city tour later on, I can't wait to explore more of the city of Malaga and fully begin my work experience

Last night, we went to a Mexican-Indian restaurant, and everything was delicious, especially the cocktails. It was a great evening, everyone got to know each other and we all left feeling well-fed and happy.

The weather has really improved since we arrived, and the sunshine and clear skies made today’s city tour even more enjoyable. It was lovely to explore the city in such nice weather.

I’m really looking forward to starting my work placement tomorrow and seeing what the next few weeks bring!

I’ve been going out a lot with my fellow students. This evening we went to dinner and then to the beach, and we went swimming! The water was pretty cold but so very blue. Last night we all gathered in our pyjamas and watched Spirited Away. I had never seen it before and it was interesting. Not sure I’m really a Ghibli fan but hey I gave it a go.

I made the most delicious sandwich yesterday. Call me Joey Tribbiani the way I would die for that sandwich. It wasn’t even anything special - Serrano ham, cheese, and a LOT of arugula. I sat on my bed, because who needs to be social, and ate my sandwich. One of the best afternoons of my life. I told my boyfriend about this joyful day and he informed me that this is in fact “very sad” and “concerning.” I just wanted to enjoy my sandwich :(

Had a sneaky peek at the Flamenco dance class, exhilarating just to watch, no beginner class unfortunately, flouncy skirts and wide brim hats, and the gorgeous shoes, clattering for all they’re worth. Dying to see a show now.

Outside of work hours, we went to the beach almost everyday and we had a city tour and then a tour of one of the strongest castles in Europe, with a lot of deep rich history behind it.

After work, we headed to the beach to chill out. It was super windy, so we all ended up with a face full of sand, which was chaotic but funny. The sea looked amazing and was perfect for swimming, so it was definitely worth it.

Later on, Abi made chicken Alfredo for dinner and it was unreal, easily the best meal we’ve had since being here. It honestly tasted like such a treat after a busy day. We also shared some Biscoff cheesecake afterwards, which made the night even better.

Today, we went on a tour of the Alcazaba of Málaga, and it was such a good experience. It was absolutely roasting walking around in the heat, but the views from the top were incredible, The tour was actually really interesting, and I learned loads about the history of Málaga. It’s been really nice getting to explore more of the city and learn about its history while we’re here.

I’m not going to lie I was quite nervous about making friends with everyone but we’ve all gotten along so well.

My work placement has been a challenge but I’m really enjoying it, I’m especially enjoying learning Spanish from the residents, they’re all so helpful !

Until next time,

Abi

Got use to the routine and how things work, definitely feel more confident in helping out and learning new words. Have some lovely views along the way also which makes the walk that little bit easier. Yesterday we visited the Alcazaba, was very beautiful and interesting to learn about the history of the building.

On Thursday, we visited the Alcazaba fortress, where we were given a wonderful tour and learned about the history of the place.

Yesterday we went to Norja Beach. The weather was very sunny and warm, so we went swimming.

And today we went to watch the sunrise, which was also very spectacular.

I wish we had more time there honestly.

It had the best beach that I've seen on the trip so far and we had possibly the best weather aswell

We went for lunch in an Italian restaurant and then went to the beach for a swim.

The stones were burning my feet so much that I had to sprint to the water once I stepped off my towel.

The views on the bus were also amazing with the mountains.

It was the best planned trip so far honestly.

We went on a trip to Frigiliana and Nerja and honestly both places were so lovely. Frigiliana was really pretty with all the little streets and flowers everywhere, and Nerja had such a chilled seaside vibe. It was nice just walking around, taking our time, and enjoying the views even had a swim in the sea!

In the evening we went into Málaga for Noche en Blanco, listened to some music, and had a walk around the town. The atmosphere was amazing and it was really nice seeing everyone out enjoying themselves. I loved getting to see a bit more of the Málaga culture and how local people spend their evenings. Such a lovely way to end the day.

My work placement at the adult day centre is also going well. I am learning a lot and everyone there has been very welcoming and supportive. Everyone on the Erasmus trip is getting along really well too, which has made the experience even better.

It has been a really amazing first week overall and I’m extremely grateful for this experience.

Yesterday, we all went on a trip to Frigiliana and Nerja. We got up early and took the bus to Frigiliana. To be honest, the town was pretty boring, pretty, but very boring. There wasn’t much to do, as everything was closed and it was cloudy. After an hour and a half, we finally went to Nerja, which was definitely the highlight of the day. The views were to die for, the water was so blue, and the sand was so soft.

We went to a delicious Italian restaurant where I got a pizza and a Coke Zero. We spent most of our time sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun, and we all caught some rays. After we got home, we went out to enjoy some nightlife. The La Noche en Blanco festival was in full swing. We saw musicians playing instruments and opera singers singing some very emotional songs.

Today, we all took a much needed day of rest and decided to do pretty much nothing except enjoy the sun. I went to the shop to buy a fan because the heat is crazy here! I also went to the gym and sat on the terrace to soak up some more sun. Majd made a delicious meal for dinner. It was definitely a weekend to remember.

This week we will begin filming our documentary. I’m a little nervous as we don’t speak Spanish and our interviewee doesn’t speak English, so im still trying to figure out how we are going to translate the interview. I am grateful for our supervisor, as he is very friendly and willing to help out. He sent us a schedule for this week and there are a lot of different flamenco-based events that we will be going to - including a film set! Very exciting.

On Saturday, we got up early to go to Nerja and Frigiliana. The towns had nice beaches and places and we went to an Italian restaurant together and then to a beach to do some swimming and tanning.

We rode in silence as we were all tired from the heat, but we still went out together at night to experience the blank night which is where we saw some opera singing in a random balcony.

Everyone is getting along very well with eachother and we are looking forward to the flamenco show.

While developing practical skills and experience while at work, I've learnt of the importance of non verbal communication in providing patient care. I may not be able to understand exactly what a patient is saying, while I work under the supervision of the nurses, but through my body language and tone of voice I can show that I care.

A warm smile, or a comforting hand on a shoulder is part of the universal language we all share.

Last night in Málaga🇪🇸, we had the chance to experience the magic of traditional Flamenco.

From the powerful guitar music to the incredible dancing and atmosphere, it was a beautiful night full of Spanish culture, passion, and emotion.

An unforgettable experience during our journey in Spain ✨

Today we had a chance to observe an interview with a woman who is a professional flamenco singer. There was also a short performance with vocal and guitar and then an interview for the TV channel. In the evening, we were invited to a singing class where we saw how she is working with her student.

We went to see a flamenco show together as a group which was very entertaining, the vocal ranges and the dance moves were outstanding. Truly an exceptional experience especially in Andalusia due to the traditions. After the show, we went to an Italian restaurant which was fairly cheap and really good, we had to be separated in 3 groups though to accommodate the amount of people we had.

After the show, we went for dinner at an Italian restaurant. I ordered lasagne, and it was really tasty, definitely one of my favourite meals so far.

Yesterday, Airidas and I went to work and spent most of the day filing more paperwork, which kept us busy. Afterwards, we decided to treat ourselves and went to Taco Bell and Dunkin’. Taco Bell was okay, but I think it was a little overhyped. Dunkin’, however, was really good. It was cheap, tasty, and definitely worth it.

Last night, we played a murder mystery game in the movie room, which was great fun. It was a really nice way to relax and spend time together. I’m really looking forward to the next week and a half and making the most of the sunshine.

The singers were amazing and so were the dancers I really enjoyed it, would definitely go again!.

We were then brought out for dinner by Gina which was lovely.

Today we travelled across the city to El Centro del Artes in a university and attended a number of flamenco classes, ranging from singing to guitar to dancing - we met a famous singer and recorded sooooo much footage.

We also attended a flamenco show with our classmates! So much flamenco this week. Ongggg. But the dancing was phenomenal - I didn’t realise how much physical work flamenco is, but seeing the sheer beauty and strength of the dance was breathtaking.

After work on Tuesday, I went for a walk - didn’t know where I was going, I just picked a direction (north), and walked. I walked until I got close to the mountains and found myself getting pretty close to the motorway, and decided that that was a good enough time to turn back, and tried to walk home without using Google maps. I got lost.

WE WENT TO A CAT CAFE and it was the HAPPIEST I have been since I arrived in Spain. Life is complete.

On Friday, me and Ben went to a shopping centre to check out some clothing and shoes. We were tried some fast food places as we wanted to check out the difference from Ireland, so far Popeyes is the nicest one by far.

We went to a beach on Saturday, took a bus. The temperature was roasting and the water was nice and warm, by far the nicest beach yet.

On Friday, I helped Airidas shop for some new clothes, which was fun, and afterwards we went to Burger King for food. It was nice to relax after work and spend some time together.

Yesterday, I went to the beach, which was really enjoyable. The weather was lovely, and it was great to spend time by the sea and make the most of the sunshine.

Today, we got the train to the La Palapa beach club, which was another great experience. We were lucky because we managed to get the last six sunbeds available. While we were there, I had croquettes and chips, which were very tasty. It was a really fun day, and I’m enjoying making the most of the sunny weather.

Unfortunately later in the evening I got a really bad migraine that lasted for hours. It made me feel quite unwell and I struggled to get comfortable or fall asleep afterwards, which was disappointing after such a nice day

We then went out for a Italian meal, all and all a lovely evening!

On Friday night I travelled to Vélez-Málaga with my coworkers and attended a flamenco show in an underground bar called Carmelina, apparently well-renowned for its role in the origin of flamenco. It was phenomenal! Afterwards there was food and drinks, and the dancer returned while we were eating to dance again in her tracksuit and Tshirt, not to work, but purely because she loved what she was doing. There is so much passion in this art form.

I had a quiet weekend recently. Saturday I spent largely alone - I feel I needed a break from people for a few hours (the life of an introvert) so I went for a walk and bought souvenirs for loved ones back home. Sunday was a little more exciting, as a group of us took the train to Torremolinos and went to a beach bar! The water was gorgeous and soooo clear, and while the food and drinks at the bar were expensive, they were good.

The weather was a bit cloudy but it was still quite warm and the water was beautiful.

We stayed there all day and didn't get home until I'd say 22:30 by train.

Later on in the night the Ibis hotel kinda went up in flames and it is still burning, luckily nobody is hurt!

Overall though it was a great day, not for the Ibis hotel though unfortunately 😞

It was lovely to catch-up with Anne, my course co-ordinator, and to tell her all about my time in work placement, where I've been putting the skills learnt under her guidance into practice.

We all went for a meal in an Italian restaurant, and then explored more of Malaga's quaint old town, where we found a beautiful incense shop nestled into the side streets.

Today at work went well, today I was able to play bingo with the residents at the nursing home, I've somehow been able to pick up numbers 1-90 in spanish!

This week, we are working on the documentary because we already have all the materials. I’ve already mixed a big part of my recordings.

Yesterday, we were on the terrace located on the top of the hotel. We spent a lovely evening there with a beautiful view.

In the work placement, there are new Irish Erasmus students from Galway who are also studying law, same with me as Ben. It was a nice change of pace as we were able to comfortably converse with someone who can speak english.

The Ibis hotel that is right next to our accomodation has unexpectedly burned down. It has been burning for 3 days straight and the firefighters are watering it down day and night. It is unfortunate for everyone involved, it had a nice spot for food and drinks which is now gone. Part of our accomodation has closed off so we have to enter through garage as opposed the front door, as well as the terrace and the gyms are closed off until the smoke subsides.

On Tuesday, we went to a rooftop bar, which felt very fancy and had stunning views across the city. The atmosphere was really nice, especially in the evening. The cocktails were okay, I’ve definitely had better, but the chips were very tasty and probably the best part of the visit.

On Wednesday, we went to the beach for a dip because it was absolutely roasting. The water was really refreshing and helped cool us down from the heat. It was nice to relax and enjoy the sunshine for a while.

Later that evening, Abby cooked us a pasta bake, which was very tasty as always. She’s such a good cook that I wish I could take her home with me to make my meals all the time.

I’m really looking forward to the boat trip tomorrow, and I can’t believe it’s already our last few days here. The time has gone so quickly, and I know I’m going to miss it a lot when we leave.

Now that the trip is coming close to an end, I am starting to feel quite sad about leaving. I really wish it could be longer because I have genuinely enjoyed the whole experience so much. My work placement has been a really positive experience as well, and I have enjoyed getting to know the residents and learning more each week.

We enjoyed a beautiful boat tour along the coast, taking in the stunning views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. It was a relaxing and memorable experience that allowed us to appreciate Málaga from a different perspective.

The trip was not only enjoyable but also a great opportunity to spend time together, create new memories, and strengthen friendships within the group.

Thank you to everyone who made this experience possible. It was a perfect way to enjoy one of our final days in Málaga.☀️🌊🛳️🍹❤️

On our last day at work, they got everyone free coffee as well as lots of sweet pastries to go with the coffee. We said our goodbyes and they thanked us for our effort and work ethic.

It was a beautiful trip, I have learned a lot about the cultural aspect of things, it was nice to discover a different side of the broad European culture. The random mix of the students was a great idea, we clicked on well and it was nice to step out of our comfort zones.

We had a debrief with Richard, talking about our experiences of work and non-work related aspects as well as giving our feedback and opinions on how we could improve the experience for others.

I'm going to miss Malaga!

The religious procession was a sight to behold, so too the flamenco: I was lucky in my work placement to see flamenco dance lessons and to have one of my young students serenade me with flamenco song.

This has been a very enriching experience-not always easy (good things aren’t always!) but certainly a fulfilling and inspiring one.

I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and I highly recommend it as a valuable and rewarding experience.

I feel as though this placement has allowed me to grow as a person - it was my first experience with living independently. I kept myself alive for three weeks! In a foreign country, no less, where the drivers don’t believe in speed limits. I am endlessly grateful to have had this opportunity and have treasured every day spent in that lovely city. It was so clean and so safe, and there were many moments when I caught myself comparing it to my experiences in Dublin. We have a lot to learn!

Living in Málaga has helped me grow in confidence, become more independent, and step outside my comfort zone. The friendships I have made and the experiences I have shared are things I will always cherish.

I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to take part in Erasmus. It has been a truly unforgettable experience, and Málaga will always hold a special place in my heart.

I feel like I gained more confidence and independence from the trip by the experience of living alone.

I am really thankful for BIFE for giving me this opportunity.

Living and working in another country helped me become more independent and confident. I learned how to adapt to new situations, meet new people, and experience a different culture. At first, some things were challenging, but these experiences helped me grow and become more comfortable outside my comfort zone.

Overall, this Erasmus experience has been very positive and rewarding. I have made great memories, met wonderful people, and developed skills that will help me in the future. I am grateful for the opportunity and will take what I have learned with me in both my personal and professional life.

I am especially grateful for the wonderful people I have met during this trip. The friendships and memories we have made together are something I will always cherish. Although I am sad that the experience is ending, I am thankful for everything I have learned and experienced, and I will look back on my time in Málaga with very happy memories.

More than anything I'm greatful for the opportunity and experience which the Erasmus mobility offered. It was un unbelievable privilege and a pleasure to spend three weeks in Malaga with an incredible group of people who I know I'll never forget.

It's bittersweet to reflect on our times together, at the beach, out for dinner, on day trips and catching up after work. I'll cherish those memories forever, it feels wrong to part ways so suddenly with a group of people I've got to know so well, and with whom I shared such a special adventure with.

On my last day in my work placement a few of the residents handed me a collection of the drawings that I made during our activity times together. I didn't know they had been collecting my drawings, it was a heartwarming and precious moment that will stay with me. It was emotional to say goodbye to both the residents and the staff, who had welcomed us into their lives. I'm greatful for their trust, kindness and patience throught my time in the nursing home.

All things must come to an end. But the memories made will last a lifetime, and form a part of the person I am today. I hope to visit malaga again soon.

Many thanks to everyone who made my Erasmus experience possible.

Goodbye for now,

Ciaran.

This experience gave me the opportunity to work in an international environment, develop new skills, meet amazing people from different countries, and create unforgettable memories.

From workplace activities and office tasks to cultural visits, teamwork, and new friendships, every part of this journey helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I would like to thank Europeanera, Innovation Campus, BIFE, my supervisors, and all the wonderful people who were part of this experience. Your support, kindness, and friendship made this journey truly special.

Thank you, Málaga, for the memories, the lessons, and the incredible people I met. ❤️🇪🇸

Until we meet again