Relocated: from Ukraine to Malta
Current employer: Betsson
Position: Software Developer (Java)
Date started: 09 September 2008

         

1. Why did you decide to work abroad? Were you looking for a vacancy in any specific country?
   
   

   I wanted to try something new, to get an experience working in a foreign country, to master my English in a native-speaking environment, and just to have an opportunity to travel. I was searching for vacancies in the Netherlands or Ireland, but then suddenly and accidentally I found this position offered by Ciklum.

2. Did you have any doubts in the successful outcome of your application with Ciklum Relocation for a chosen vacancy?
   
   

   I believed that everything will be ok, and the power of belief is great :)

3. Why did you accept the job offer from Betsson? What do you enjoy most about working at Betsson?
   
   

   I visited them for the interview and I liked everything from the first sight, so my first impression about the company and country was great.
   
   Working at Betsson has many enjoying features. I think the main things are a very friendly atmosphere, informal corporate culture, international people, and great location of the office. And of course, understanding the fact that you are working for a successful company; if your management is happy about the profits – then you as a employee is happy also :)

4. What was your best moment during your first working days at the new place?
   
   

   The sea ! :)
   Valetta, the capital of Malta.
   Cool and fun people, my co-workers.
   The spectacular view from our office windows :)

5. What are the new approaches to Company Management and Project Life-cycle implemented at your company in comparison to your previous experience?
   
   

   My team uses Scrum methodology of Project management. The benefits in this are more freedom and flexibility for developers in their working process, especially the freedom from the loads of unnecessary documentation.

6. What new experience did you gain at your current position? Do you have a chance to learn or you only share your knowledge with others?
   
   

   I’ve got an experience of working with Scrum technology, which I never tried before. Worth mentioning are trainings about technologies and methodologies that were regularly organized by the company. And I think yes, me and everybody else are learning something from each other while working in close collaboration.

7. Are you a part of an international team at your current place of employment? Is there a language barrier between your team-mates?
   

   It is an international team. We have people from Great Britain, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Serbia, France and many other countries. There is no language barrier because fluent (more or less) English is a must requirement of Betsson for all employees.

8. How long did the process of adaptation to the new environment take place for you? In terms of everything being new: the country, company, team, and even your flat.
   
   

   It was more or less fast because of the friendly people. If you have some support and new friends, the adaptation goes easier.

9. Do you have an opportunity to keep in touch with your family and friends? Do they visit you?
   
   

   We communicate regularly by email, so we keep in touch.

10. Did you have a chance to travel around Malta or to any neighbor-countries?
    
    

    It is very easy to travel around Malta because everything is so close. I also visited Sicily and Rome.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
    
    

    My opinion is that work should be fun and that is the way people work at Betsson :)