Page 57 - Aqualia MRSC 2015

I have always loved to travel, to discover new cultures and come face-to-face with new settings; this is why I signed up as
soon as I heard about the launch of Aqualia's international mobility project, as I had been waiting some time for a similar
opportunity.

My international experience began in 2009, and after spending three years in Algeria I have been working in the Balkans
area for the last four.

When you embark on an expat project like this you face hurdles at the beginning. In my case, the main challenge was the
language considering that, despite being able to carry out my work in English or in French, I could not speak the official
language of the countries where I worked. During the first few weeks, you also compare the experiences you are having
with your life back in Spain, but as you get used to the country you start living by the saying "when in Rome, do as the
Romans do". Each country is different, and adjusting to the same situation in different countries makes you grow on both
a personal and professional level.

I think that an international experience like this is a fantastic work opportunity to personally develop and I would love to be
able to keep doing it. Every region that I visit preserves its national identity, which enriches you by having the opportunity to
experience new ways of thinking, living and facing daily life. This makes you more flexible when tackling situations you are
faced with, acquiring new knowledge in many professional fields. Nowadays, thanks to new technology, we can also stay
in touch with our family and friends at all times, which makes us feel less isolated.

I would without a doubt recommend this experience to other people, because on top of developing personally and
professionally, when you return to Spain, in my case for holidays, you appreciate things that in the past you took for granted.

Juan José Jiménez Díaz
Balkans Head of Administration

7 years living abroad

My international experience began when the company offered me the position of Italy country manager.

After having worked for different companies belonging to the group for 19 years, a proposal like this meant starting over
again, but the person who asked me and the team that I was going to be working with made me decide to go for it. If you
are needed, you are needed.

Luckily I have not been faced with many challenges to adapt to the new country; Italian is very similar to Spanish, so with a
little bit of effort it is easy to get better.

The Sicilian and Andalusian characters are also slightly similar, which significantly helped me adjust. It is a family and personal
sacrifice, as well as a career risk, but it tends to make you grow on a professional level and this is valued by companies.

Despite hoping to return to Spain in the future to continue offering the company my professional best, I currently live each
day as it comes and tackle the important task we are given.

I think that an international experience like this is an exciting work opportunity that is full of challenges to overcome and I
urge other colleagues to try it out.

Antonio Gavira
Country Manager Italy
6 months living abroad

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