Of Aliens, Productivity & Cultural Sharing

Socializing with my co-workers was one of the most enjoyable parts of my internship. From day one, I felt like I was a part of a team, and I wholly attribute that to the banter and conversations that were had inside and outside of the office.

Whether it was listening to one of my co-workers “take the piss” out of my supervisor for playing football (soccer) chants or listening to Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” while working, or discussing the (failed)  Area 51 raid, all of us were constantly entertained while going through the daily motions of researching, writing briefs, and taking phone calls.

These daily distractions, in my opinion, increased our productivity. Certainly, it was refreshing to discuss government conspiracies and the controversies surrounding the Church of Scientology between typing a ten-page briefing note for an upcoming meeting, or researching microplastics and urban wastewater treatment for a constituent question. 

On occasion, in the midst of texts ensuring that the MEP’s goings-on ran smoothly, the banter continued in our group chat where we would go on about aliens or whether Tom Cruise should be king of the world. 

But, in all seriousness, getting to know those in my office as well as other interns in the European Parliament has been a gratifying learning experience. Spending my lunch breaks debating the politics and the similarities and differences between American and Maltese universities with my co-workers, obsessing over the dolmadakia served in the Parliament’s canteen, or even recalling bygone Model UN experiences with two German interns a unique, fulfilling opportunity for cultural sharing and awareness. That is what I miss most about working at the EP — the ease of access to and the possibility of meeting people from all over the world, each with their own unique life experiences, stories, and perspectives.

Socialization creates expectations, on both sides, of the communication that goes on in the workplace. And, if this process is carried out successfully, social exchange, particularly with newcomers, is able to achieve greater positive ends. From my experience, the high level of social interaction among my colleagues and I had a significantly positive impact on my work process and sense of place, given the learn-as-you-go nature of this internship (and my seemingly endless amount of questions about tasks).

Forming a bond with my colleagues, and having that invitation extended to me from the outset, definitely played an integral role not only in my productivity and my initiative to contribute positively, but also in my sense of belonging within a group. 

It is this same bond that made it difficult to leave Brussels on short notice, causing me to have to say ċaw ċaw to the team way sooner than I expected.

It will be interesting, as I take on future internship and job opportunities, how social interaction in those settings differs or aligns with my experience working at the European Parliament.