Placement overview
Name: Darcy
Vocational area: Travel & Tourism
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: Seville, Spain
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"Living in Spain is one of the best ways to pick up the language because you have the opportunity to practice.. Constantly hearing the language made it easier to pick up phrases and words."
The placement
I worked for a tour company in Seville. We were able to try out all the tours they had to offer, which meant we could meet people from Spain and around the world. It was a good opportunity to try out the company’s products so we could recommend them to customers.
The environment is a lot less intense and more relaxed. Therefore, everyone felt more eager/comfortable to speak up and participate.
The location
Seville itself is a beautiful city that has plenty of culture and history. It was easy to explore and move around. I lived centrally and there were always things to do in my spare time.
Living in Spain is one of the best ways to pick up the language because you have the opportunity to practice using the language and constantly hearing the language being used made it easier to pick up phrases and words.
The support
Our teacher accompanied us to Seville and stayed for the first 5 days whilst we settled in. During the first week, we met local staff and our employer and were allocated roles for work experience. They were always helpful and supportive with any issues I had.
The experience allowed us to bond as a group and become much closer. We all met up in the evening which was very useful as we were all settling in and could share our experiences at work and any tips or information.
The impact
I have become more culturally aware and learnt to respect that all cultures are different. It has opened my eyes to trying new experiences.
I am more resilient. There were many obstacles I had to overcome including communication barriers, living in a different culture and with a new family and working in a different climate.
I feel more independent and definitely more confident in travelling and exploring new places/cultures. If anything, it has made me want to do the whole experience again.
Outcomes
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Improved language skills
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Exposure to cultural experience
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Confidence building
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Improved people skills
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