Chaney Fix ’26 is a junior majoring in global affairs and marketing. During the summer of 2024, Chaney traveled to Malta through the Nanovic Institute’s Serving (in) Europe program. While abroad, Chaney worked alongside Caritas Malta, a Christian-based charity focused on poverty alleviation, to research the costs associated with maintaining a “decent” standard of living in the country.
When I applied to the Nanovic Institute's Serving in Europe program, I was interested in an international summer service opportunity, and I remained open-minded about where and how this service would take shape. When the opportunity to serve at Caritas Malta presented itself, I knew it would be a life-changing experience to serve others and an amazing opportunity to explore Malta’s fascinating history and melting pot of cultures, traditions, and religions. However, I didn’t understand the impact it would have on the way I think about my future career as a marketing major.
From day one, I knew I was in for an adventure. Because Malta was a new Serving (in) Europe program destination, there were a lot of details to be worked out, including where we would be living and our job responsibilities. However, after a few brief online meetings with my internship coordinator, Patrick Harvey, I grew even more excited about the service opportunity despite the unknowns. Patrick outlined a basic description of my expected duties - a potential service role in soup kitchens and shelters, which aligned with the kind of hands-on community-based work I had hoped to do.
It was not until after I arrived in Malta that I realized my service work would look very different. Instead of working directly in homeless shelters or soup kitchens, I was directed to construct a research project titled "A Minimum Essential Budget for a Decent Standard of Living." This research study aimed to define what constitutes a "decent" standard of living in the country. This report is issued every four years and seeks to establish the cost of living for an average Maltese family. My work on the project involved compiling data on everything; topics included housing prices, grocery costs, school uniforms, and even the expenses related to raising a newborn or owning a pet.
Thankfully, my co-intern, Matthew Scherber, and I both had graphic design and research backgrounds. We were assigned to work closely with the research team to design and format the report and ensure the document’s layout was visually engaging and easy to follow. We accomplished this through close collaboration, content editing, and coordination with researchers to present the findings in a clear, accessible format. While the shift in my work's focus might have been unexpected, it resulted in an incredibly fulfilling experience with far-reaching implications for Malta's most vulnerable populations. My days were dedicated to meeting with researchers, discussing formatting, and countlessly revising the project document. Although the work was sometimes deadline-driven and stressful, the office always had a strong sense of community. The faculty at Caritas Malta made us feel like valued members of the team and important contributors to their shared mission. This report will eventually be used to advocate for policy changes, raising awareness about the true costs of living for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. This work, therefore, felt meaningful, and I hope in some small way, I was able to create a more impactful resource to inspire social change.
Even outside the office, the Caritas Malta team took great care of us. Our co-workers informed us about local traditions and shared recommendations for local restaurants to explore, places to visit, and cultural events to attend. We met their families and loved ones and shared in celebrations. During breaks from work, I made sure to explore Malta's vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. Its crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches were among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I visited museums, wandered through historic cities, and sampled delicious Maltese cuisine.
I could not have predicted what I would experience and learn about the people and country of Malta, myself, and more during my summer of service, but it turned out to be the perfect experience for this time in my life as I think about my career path.
As a marketing and global affairs major, my placement at Caritas Malta was an ideal way to gain work and service experience. As someone who wants to continue a life dedicated to service, but also build a global career in marketing, it opened my eyes to the many ways I can use my studies to be a force for good in the world.
I’m grateful to Notre Dame, the Nanovic Institute, and Caritas Malta for this opportunity. My experience not only enlightened how I think about my future in work and service, but also taught me valuable lessons about the importance of community, resilience, adaptability, and the beauty of the small but strong nation of Malta.