Week Seven - Reflections, Celebrations, and the Final Stretch

Monday, 11th May 2026

The seventh week of my internship felt like a turning point. The atmosphere in the house had shifted noticeably - we had settled into such a natural rhythm of communal living that the daily routines of sharing meals and managing our space near Heraklion felt like second nature. With the end of the internship in sight, our evening conversations in the garden had become more reflective. We spent quite a bit of time this week talking about how much we had changed since we first arrived, often accompanied by Laki, the local cat, who has become a constant presence during our downtime.

On Monday, I returned to work at MagicNet and continued with the usual mix of repairs and diagnostics. The shop felt familiar now, almost like a second home. We had a few notebooks that needed RAM upgrades and a desktop PC with a failing hard drive that we replaced. It was straightforward work, but it felt good to be consistent again.

In the evening, I spent some time catching up on my apprenticeship documentation, which I had let slide for a few weeks. After that, I relaxed in the garden and talked with the group about the week ahead. The mood was calm and reflective, as if everyone was starting to process the fact that we were entering the final stretch.

Tuesday, 12th May 2026

Tuesday was a special day because my teacher from Germany visited me at MagicNet. I gave him a tour of the shop and explained our daily tasks and responsibilities - from diagnosing faulty hardware to reinstalling operating systems and cleaning overheating devices. He really liked the workplace and even collected contact information from Prodromos because it could become a future Erasmus destination for other students. It was a nice feeling to be able to show someone from home what I had been working on for the past two months.

After work, we went grocery shopping for a group barbecue and pool party in the yard of our house. Everyone was in a good mood, and the atmosphere was lively as we prepared for the evening.

Wednesday, 13th May 2026

Wednesday was a light, but still productive day at work at MagicNet. We didn't have any big emergencies, so the focus was on smaller tasks: replacing RAM modules, swapping out failing SSDs, and cleaning devices that had been sitting in the shop for a while. It was repetitive in parts, but that also helped me get faster and more confident.

One of the more interesting cases was a printer that kept producing blurry prints. After checking the toner, paper, and connections, we found that the corona wire was dirty and needed cleaning. It's a small detail, but it makes a big difference in the final result. It was nice to see how even older hardware can be brought back to a good state with a bit of patience.

In the evening, the group gathered to celebrate Moritz's birthday. We had a really relaxed celebration together at a local taverna, went out for a nice dinner, and enjoyed the evening. It was great to celebrate his birthday away from home, surrounded by the group and the Mediterranean atmosphere.

Back at the house, the evening continued calmly. We spent some time in the garden, talked about the day, and enjoyed the warm Cretan weather. Laki was around as usual, trying to steal food from our plates, which always makes for a funny moment.

Thursday, 14th May 2026

Thursday was a day off because of Ascension Day. We spent the day relaxing by the pool, which had become one of our favorite ways to unwind. The weather was excellent, and it felt good to take a break from the routine.

In the evening, a friend of Nico visited us. She had booked an Airbnb nearby that had a jacuzzi, so we all went over together and used it. It was a very relaxing way to spend the evening, and it was nice to unwind with the group after a long week. The atmosphere was calm and fun, and it was a good opportunity to connect and just enjoy the Mediterranean evening together.

Friday, 15th May 2026

Friday was a relatively calm day at work. I used the time to catch up on some administrative tasks, including cleaning up and organizing my workspace. After work, I spent the evening writing cards to my family back home, which was a nice way to stay connected and share a bit of my experience in Crete with them.

In the evening, I spent some time playing Diablo IV. I had been looking forward to diving back into the end-game grind, trying out different builds and running bounties. It was a very relaxing way to unwind after the week, and it felt good to finally get deep into the game instead of only playing in short bursts. The day was a good balance of productivity and downtime, which helped me recharge for the weekend.

Saturday, 16th May 2026

Saturday started slowly with a lazy morning. I spent some time relaxing and getting ready for the day ahead.

In the afternoon, the group visited a local water park with around 48 water slides. The weather was perfect – pleasant and beautifully sunny. Besides going down the slides, which was a lot of fun and a nice change of pace from the usual routine, I also lay by the pool for a while and let the sun shine on my skin. It was a very enjoyable day, and the Mediterranean sun felt great after weeks of work.

In the evening, I didn't participate in the puzzle evening that the group had planned. Instead, I spent a long time on the phone with my girlfriend back home. It was nice to catch up and talk about everything, and I found myself looking forward to being home again - there was only one week left until I would return to Germany. The call was a comforting reminder of the connections I had back home, even while enjoying my time in Crete.

Sunday, 17th May 2026

Sunday was a calm and relaxed day. I used it to clean the house a bit, which helped keep our shared space in good shape as we approached the end of the internship. Otherwise, I just relaxed, lay in the garden, and enjoyed the sun. It was a peaceful way to spend the day, with no big plans or trouble.

In the afternoon, I played some Anno 117 and let the evening wind down slowly. The atmosphere was very calm, and it felt good to have such a low-key day after the more active week. Laki was around as usual, lounging in the garden and occasionally trying to get attention, which added to the relaxed vibe.

As the seventh week came to an end, it felt like a good balance had been found between work, social activities, and personal time. The visits from Germany, Moritz's birthday celebration, the relaxed days by the pool and water park, and the quiet evenings at home all came together in a way that felt both productive and pleasant.

Summary and self-reflection

Looking back at Week 7, it felt like a week of connection and reflection. At work, I continued to build confidence with hardware repairs and diagnostics, and the visit from Justus, the trainer from the Charité representing our training association, was a meaningful moment that made me appreciate the internship even more. Being able to show him what I had learned and potentially open MagicNet up for future Erasmus students was a proud moment.

Outside of work, the week was defined by social moments - Moritz's birthday celebration, the barbecue and pool party, the relaxed day at the water park with its 48 slides, and the quiet evenings at home. These experiences reinforced how important it is to balance technical work with social activities and downtime. The group had become a strong support system, and simple moments like lying in the garden, playing Anno 117, or talking with my girlfriend on the phone had a surprisingly big effect on my overall experience.

The phone call with my girlfriend reminded me how much I was looking forward to being home again – only one week left until I would return to Germany. This mix of enjoying Crete while also anticipating home was a new feeling for me, and it showed how much the internship had become a meaningful chapter that I was ready to close.

Entering the eighth and final week of the internship, I feel grounded and grateful for the time I've had in Crete. The contrast between busy workdays and relaxed weekends has helped me enjoy the experience even more, and I'm looking forward to wrapping up the remaining tasks with a clear and balanced mindset.