Once upon a time

11 young people had the idea of spending some time working abroad. After we met on the 11th August 2010 things got more specific because we got to know each other and got some information about the project. Fortunately everybody signed the contract.

So we all looked forward to start the adventure abroad.


15.09.2010 START fly Berlin Tegel to Manchester


Arrived in Burnley with a warm welcome at Embrace House and a delicious dinner we got to know the whole Embrace stuff and volunteers.

Trip Blackpool

We plant a trip to the sparkling and flashing town – Blackpool. We took the National Express to the “Las Vegas“ of England. The trip by bus felt like 5 hours but actually it took 1,5 hour.

As far we arrived the sun was shining and we smelt the breeze of the Irish sea. For that reason we went to the beach and took a lot of pictures. We enjoyed the photo session at the beach.

We have seen a lot and get much impressions of the busy city. From this followed that we had to refresh ourselves with typical English fish and chips. The highlights apart from the beach were the Blackpool tower and the huge fairgrounds.

Busy at 1 Leven Street in Burnley

From the 11^th October. to the 31.10.2010 “21” people had their accommodation at 1 Leven Street in Burnley. Additional to the 11 people who stay here since the 15 September 10 trainees from Berlin have been at placements in the area around Burnley. Maria, Katherina, Sandra, Kerstin, Monika, Marcel, Flo, Steven, Nikolaj and Sebastian arrived at Liverpool airport in the evening of the 11^th October. They were welcomed with a big dinner. Their first week here in Burnley was a getting to know each other and Burnley as well as a preparation for their placement. And of course they had to go to interviews for their placements. So really a lot to do followed of 2 weeks placement. The girls worked as sale assistants, Monika, Sandra, Kerstin and Maria in the Poundland shop and Katherina worked in a charity shop of the British Red Cross. Nikolaj had had his placement as a carpenter at Offshoots.

Steven, Flo and Sebastian worked at a building site. And last but not least Marcel who is in an education as motorbike mechanic but found his passion in making jewellery. Marcel got the chance to design his own pendant and he did his job very well. Although the 10 got a lot of work were was time in between to explore the area. So we all went to Manchester visit there the museum and had a small shopping tour and the 10 made also a walk to the “singing ringing tree” in Burnley. The 3 weeks run very fast because the 31^st October came and it was the first time a group left Burnley to go back to Germany. We wish all 10 the best for their future!

Nanette

Name: Nanette
Age: 20
Qualification: Apprenticeship to become a travel agent
Hopes: I hope to improve my English skills through my placement, get to know new people and experience other ways of working.
Back home: When I’m back in Germany I will finish my apprenticeship. I go to work and visit the vocational training school. Perhaps I will start to study tourism management.
Future plans: I would like to work for some popular tour operators and create my own trips and journeys or work at the airport for an airline.
Hobbies: I enjoy to meet my friends, going to the cinema and I love sports (football + handball)
Inspiration: My family, friends and the media inspire me.

Tanja

Name: Tanja
Age 22
Qualification: At the moment I’m in the 3rd year of my education to become a
occupational therapist.

Hopes: I hope to improve my English. I also hope to learn about the differences
of occupational therapy in the UK and Germany.

Back home: When I’m back in Germany I have another placement for 2 months, a workshop for handicapped people. From june to august I have my final exams to become a occupational therapist.

Future plans: In the future I would like to work in a clinic for psychosomatic illness. I also would like to work with children and adults with ADHD. I’m really interested in both groups of patients.

Hobbies: My hobbies in the winter are: skiing, snowboarding, build snowmen, go for a walk in the winter land. In the summer my hobbies are: swimming, jogging, ride a bike. All in all I like to spend my time with my family and my friends, I like to go to the cinema or to have a ice cream.

Inspiration: I don’t know what inspires me, But I know how to get up when I’m in an bad mood. Music helps me to get a good mood. My friends and my little nephew are also so important for me. Because of this factors I’m in balance and ready to do a good work.

Philosophy: You don’t need a life philosophy. Listen to your he

Christina

Name: Christina
Age: 20
Qualification: Apprenticeship to become a travel agent
Hopes: I hope I can improve my English. The English I’ve learned in school isn’t enough to study “marketing” in Germany.

Back home: I want to finish my apprenticeship as travel agent and after that studying at a university “economics”

Future plans: Not anymore working at a hotel, it’s busy and hard work and they don’t get enough money. Maybe I would like to work at a travel agency or at an airport but if I pass my exams in “economics” and “marketing”, I would like to work for a TV-channel, a magazine, a company and so on (maybe as a “marketing director”).

Hobbies: I love sports: basketball and cheerleading and another hobby is to phone

Inspiration: I’m inspired by my friends: they achieved ao much in life and I would like to become like them.

Philosophy: Just do it! Do what you want and live every moment – it could open a great possibility for yoa

Stefanie

Name: Stefanie



Age: 23

Qualification:

Social Worker/Social Pedagogy
Hopes:

Working abroad means to learn new things. And that’s what I’d like to achieve during my placement in the UK. Also learning new ways of working concerning my occupation and improving my English skills. I’m interested in different cultures. To see how people in other countries live and work is very exciting.
Back home:

Back in Germany I want to work in my occupation. Furthermore I’d like to qualify myself in fact that I enhance my skills focused on working with parents and their children.

Future plans:

The field of work for this occupation is wide and it’s hard to decide for one field. But if I have to, it would be to work with families and young persons in difficult situations because I already had placements in this field in the past and it was a really interesting and varied work.

Hobbies:

I like to spend my leisure time with my family and friends, going out, laugh and listen to music.

Inspiration:

The daily life is my inspiration. Every day I meet people, including my family and friends, who handle different situations in different ways. I meet them everywhere, at work, on the street and in my leisure time.

Philosophy:

Trust in yourself and don’t worry what other people think about you. If they say you can’t achieve something when just do it and convince them.

Katja

Name: Katja

Age: 26

Qualification:

Commercial Assistant, Studies in Business Administration

Hopes:

The placement gives me the opportunity to find out more about England and to visit other parts of the country. It is a good challenge to improve my English and make new experience with my working experiences abroad. It is an impressive stay. I got the chance to scout Burnley and surroundings, get to know knew cultures and meet a lot of new people.

Back home:

I would like to work in a successful company at a Human Resource Department, so working in my occupation. But perhaps I'm going to work abroad in a foreign country or stay in England.

Future plans:

I would like to work in a Human Resource Department, because that’s my occupation.

Hobbies:

Travel around the world, meet new people, listen to music and go to concerts.

Philosophy:

Carpe Diem and be brave.

Frank

Name: Frank

Age: 20 years young

Qualifications:

State proved Media assistant state proved Sport assistant

Hopes:

During this 6 month here in the UK i hope to improve my english, so that I can speak realy well. Furthermore I will learn many about this country, their standard of living, their culture and about their working skills/to get working experience

Back home:

Maybe I don’t wont to go back to Germany, if i’ve get the chance to work here I would stay here.
But if I go back to Germany I would like became a Manager (any sportsteam , I prefere football)

Future plans: I would like to do any kind of jobs wich is in contact with sport(football). Maybe an physical therapist, personal trainer or anything like that.

Hobbies:

Play football all the time, do any sport(i love it) , meet friends, read a book.

Inspiration:

My Passion is football, so each football player how follow his target und reach it, inspries me, particular Fernando Torres(the hole Liverpool FC.) and Sepp Herberger. And persons like the caracter of “Forest Gump”

Philosophy:

I would say young people or old people, what ever, that they never lost their targets in live, that they should always look forward (in the future) and that every person have an regulation. !

“NEVER GIVE UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR AIMS”

Thomas

Name: Thomas

Age: 23

Qualification:

Assistant for media technology

Hopes:

I will get a job in an other country (England, Canada, Australia...). That's why I am here to develop my industrial English.

Back home:

I really don't want to go back...not yet

Future plans:

I want to be an audio engineer.

Hobbies:

Playing music, football, travelling

Inspiration:

I don't have heros. “all heros are fashion pigs!”

Philosophy:

“Life is a game” so do what you want and enjoy it

Paul

Name: Paul

Age: 21 years old

Qualification:

Car assistant

Hopes:

I hope, I can improve my English and learn the differences between the work attitude in both countries

Back home:

To get a job

Future plans:

To get a education as a aircraft mechanician

Hobbies:

Listing to music, meet friends

Inspiration:

The people they're able to speak many different languages

Philosophy:

Whether you choose the correct way, you will only recognize, if you decide to start

Jennifer

Name: Jennifer

Age: 28

Qualification:

In March of 2010 I finished my studies of Geography – minor subjects Sociology and Psychology – at Humboldt University of Berlin with an MA degree (Dipl.-Geogr.). My major fields of study have been Urban and Economic Geography. During my studies I gained work experience in different organisations and companies, e.g. in Bournemouth/England.

Hopes:

For me, there are several reasons for doing this work placement in Burnley/England. First of all I would like to gain some more international work experience in order to become more competitive and to increase my labour market opportunities. Secondly I intend to improve and refresh my English language skills. Thirdly I want to experience what it means to work in an English company and to live in the country itself. Last but not least I see the work placement as an opportunity to achieve personal growth, that is to improve my abilities and to discover new talents.

Back home:

To be honest, I would like to extend my stay in Burnley/England because I’ve enjoyed it very much. When I’m back in Berlin/Germany I want to find the “perfect” job, that is a job which I like and which gives me enough money to fulfill my dreams.

Future plans:

In the future I would like to work in tourism and/or urban development.

Hobbies:

I enjoy travelling, music (gigs, clubs), cinema and simply meeting my friends.

Inspiration:

Music inspires me.

Philosophy:

Life is short. So find your passions, kill all your worries and live it!! No matter what other people think about you!!

Anna

Name: Anna

Age: 26

Qualifications: university degree biology

Hopes:

First of all, I hope to increase my language skills to be able to understand and talk to everybody and to write formal letters as well as reports or scientific papers. Secondly, of course I want to get to know new people and a new culture and want to be part of it. This includes both, private and working life. I´m interested in the way of solving problems in England in the job and want to get to know the way of thinking and working. In addition, I hope that I get more practical skills that could be important for my future career, because my education was more or less theoretical.

Back home:

I am not sure about what I want to do back home. Of course I would love to work, but in case I don´t get a job I think about starting a master study or do another placement. I know that I definitely don´t want to stay unemployed and do nothing but existing.

Future plans:

I am a practical worker. I don´t mind getting dirty or working outside or being completely exhausted after work. I don´t like too much paper work either. So I think the most suitable job for me would be a research assistant job somewhere in the field, in Germany as well as in other countries. There I could use my knowledge, get to know new exciting, maybe important things and people and enjoy working in a practical way.

Hobbies:

Singing in choires, music in general, cooking and baking, reading, theatre and literature

Inspiration:

My parents and my grandparents have a great influence on my way of thinking and living. Due to them I got a very good education and due to them I am who I am. My younger brother is a great inspiration source, too. Because of our not really serious competition who is ”better” I want to reach higher goals and even can imagine to do research and not only get a job anywhere just to have a job. Due to that every researcher is an inspiration for me. To find something special that is of interest for people I don´t even know must be an exciting and somehow magical moment. I want to feel that!

Philosophy:

If I have a philosophy for my life it would be positive thinking. Sometimes things work only because they have to work. Everybody can reach his or her goals, although sometimes it´s very hard. But who cares? After difficult periods there always will be easy ones. The sun never stops shining, but sometimes there are some clouds one has to overcome.

Jonathan

Name: Jonathan

Age: 18

Qualification:

Social assistant

Hopes:

I came to the UK to improve my English skills. I also wanted to meet new friends and to built new friendships.

Back home:

I want to see my whole family and friends again. If I don’t get the chance to start my life in the UK, yet, I’ll start a 2nd vocational training in event engineering in cologne.

Future plans:

I’m really interested in music that’s why I want to do a further education in record engineering. I hope to get a job here in the UK. To settle down and having my own family.

Hobbies:

playing volleyball, ride a bike, to take and adapt pictures, mixing music, meet friends, swimming and other sport activities.

Inspiration:

My inspiration is the music and the smile of the children when I start my working day in the children’s centre.

Annekatrin

Name: Annekatrin

Age: 22

Qualification:

I’m in the 3rd year of education for occupational therapy.
Hopes:

I hope I will learn a lot about the English traditions, culture and the work in a residential home. I also hope to learn the language.

Back home:

When I’m back in Germany I will have a practical time in a occupational therapy praxis. In June 2011 I will my final exams to become a qualified occupational therapist.

Future plans:

I hope to get a good job in an residential home in Germany in the near of my home town.

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going out for dancing, shopping or having a drink in a café. In the summer I like to go to the beach, inline skating or riding a bike. In winter I love to go on Christmas markets, ice skating or driving with the sledge.

Inspiration:

I’m inspired by people who help other people without thinking about their selves. Make good things in their life’s to give others a joy. People often do something for their own advantage. It is a pity. We should think about it and change something.

Philosophy:

Go your own way. Be sure what you want to do and who you want to be. Sometimes family or friends wont understand it, but it is your life and you should be happy. You can’t be who others want you to have.

Agnes

Name: Agnes
Age: 25 years old.

Qualification:

Bachelor Psychology and I also work as a sale assistant in a clothing shop to finance my study. For getting more practical experience during my study, I worked as a student trainee in a psychiatric ward to adults diagnosed with depression, eating disorder, anxiety attack and other affective disorders. Furthermore I was started volunteering in the county jail of Chemnitz conducting conversations with female inmates. My great interest in other people as well helps me to be open and friendly to other people.

Hopes:

During holidays abroad or while having conversations with foreign friends I could already get an impression of making experience abroad. Now I wanted to use the opportunity in spending time for a placement in England. Thinking of a placement in the UK many positive things come up into my mind, so to experience a different culture, get to know new people and improving my language skills. I also believe that this experience would give me an understanding of the English lifestyle, the English way of life. Last year I spend some days in London and I was impressed by the city of course, but also of the open-minded and helpful people I met there.

Future plans:

After my time here, when I will be back in my country, I want to improve my knowledge in psychology in getting more practical experience and therapeutic skills to help other people. If I will get the opportunity, I want to go on study for getting a Master in Psychology or social work, otherwise I will searching for a fitting social work for example in an advice centre or giving therapeutic help.

Hobbies:

In my free time I enjoy to meet up with friends and having nice conversations. I also enjoy art in visiting galleries, becoming creative in sawing something, doing some handcrafts or painting. I am always interesting in new countries and cultures, so I like to travel. Furthermore I love listening to music, to visit live music gigs.

Inspiration:

I have a big family. I am the fifth of twelve children and enjoy every time to have people around me. So my wish to do something social for being in contact with other people grows up more and more. Music helps me to become creative, when I do some handcrafts or thinking about something.

Philosophy:

If I would share my life philosophy with other young people, I would tell them, if you want to do something or achieve your aim, it is important to do it with passion, to enjoy what you do. It is an attitude inside you, how you started your day and you can never know, what will happen next. So it doesn’t take all matters what you do, but maybe how you meet the people around you and in which way you do something. Because when you are open for new, also a monotone work could become interesting.
So live your life in thinking positive about you, the world and the people around you and let surprise yourself by every new day.