BACKGROUND The ITS mission is to provide Quality learning to achieve excellence in tourism. Through its innovative high quality lifelong learning academic programmes the Institute of Tourism Studies trains people for tomorrow’s tourism industry. As part of the curriculum it is obligatory for students to do an internship overseas. As Malta is a small Island, students benefitted from this International placement as part of their studies thus having a transcultural approach to this diverse industry of hospitality. OBJECTIVES To encourage ITS students who were not offered a salary-based internship to benefit from EU funds to sustain them during their internship abroad. To maximise learning, personal and career development of all participants. Participants gained ECVET credits for their internship as it was a module within their course and they all succeeded. To increase multinational cooperation particularly in mobility opportunities. ITS is constantly looking for partners whereby its students will have the opportunity of doing their international placement. The overall mobility enabled students to obtain a holistic experience – living away from home, working on full-time basis and managing finances, punctuality, responsibility and adapting to a multicultural environment. PARTICIPANTS PROFILE ITS applied for 36 mobilities, 3 for 3 months and 33 for 6 months. In September 2014 at grant agreement stage the number of participants and funds were amended. Students following Diploma courses were eligible to proceed with the traineeship as it is part of their curriculum. The training period followed was in a field related to their course. The courses the students followed were: Diploma in Sports Tourism & Active Leisure Diploma in Bar & Restaurants Operations Diploma in Hospitality Events Management Diploma in Culinary Arts Diploma in Hotel Operations Diploma in Rooms Division Operations Throughout the project ITS envisaged that not all the funds would be utilised for students not gaining a salary. In this regard, EUPA suggested that students receiving a salary could also be funded, so students with high rental costs benefitted from EU funds, for part of their internship to help them with their costs. In this way 51 students benefitted from EU funds. 15 students benefitted from funds for the full duration of their mobility. 13 students gained nearly full funds, the enterprise offered them accommodation, so this was reduced accordingly; 19 students benefitted from funds for a few weeks as they had a salary and high accommodation rates to pay, 2 students terminated an internship in Italy, as things did not proceed as agreed, and took up another internship in the UK. This is why 51 mobilities are listed but 49 students benefitted from funds DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES The students training in Ireland gained experience in sports tourism focusing on CrossFit Training and various types of gym training. Through this training they enhanced the possibility of working in this new field of training upon their return to Malta. Students training in Belgium gained experience in the Culinary Arts and front office. Students in Cyprus gained experience in Culinary Arts and Bar & Restaurant Operations, whilst students in Portugal, Italy and France gained experience in Culinary Arts. One student training in the UK following the Diploma in Hospitality Events Management gained experience in Tourist Services. Students benefitting from funding of a few weeks were based in the UK, training mainly in Culinary Arts. Traineeships were organised by the International Internship Office at ITS. Some students benefitted from EU funds for the full duration of their placement period, others benefitted from funding for some days to help them cover their rental expenses, as well as to utilise all funds as per instructions received from the national agency, EUPA. RESULTS & IMPACT ATTAINED ITS ensures that during the semesters prior to mobility, students gain the knowledge they need for their internship. All participants gained experience in their field of study. Students successfully completed their mobility period and gained their ECVET credits for this module. It is evident that the students matched the required skills and experience for the hospitality industry, as some of the enterprises offered them employment upon completion of their traineeship. The students developed holistically, primarily enhancing their skills and gaining responsibility for their daily living, punctuality at work and finances. Such internships open the door for future employment both locally as well as internationally. Furthermore, through successful internships, ITS enhances its relationships with the hosting organisations, as future collaboration is sought. LONGER-TERM BENEFITS The training received throughout the placement, helps students gain knowledge and experience that they can take with them to the industry, increase their self-esteem and develop holistically