Placement overview
Name: Jayden
Vocational area: Construction
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Lebrija, Spain
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“The trip was a process of self learning; the way Spanish people work in my field of construction; learning how to look after myself in another country and learning some Spanish in the lessons I participated in. Every day of my experience was an eye opener!”
The motivation
I applied for the work placement because it was an opportunity to broaden my experience in construction, to practice what I had learned on my course and to understand the differences of working in construction in another country.
The placement
Through my experience in Seville, I discovered how manual labour in Spain is a whole different world to the UK. Even the way I got to sand down gates and repaint them was unlike what I had learnt before.
The location
The thing I liked best about my destination was that it was so quiet and peaceful, a little town where it looked like everyone looked after each other. You could tell that the area had a strong community feeling by the way the locals gathered together at a certain time of the day, to spend time and have fun together. They made my stay very comfortable!
The highlight of my trip was going to the beach with my group to relax in the sun, have a swim and to play football on the sand. It was nice to have a break after working so hard and the beach day was a real reward!
It was really interesting interacting with the locals and communicating via google translate. I learnt Spanish from them while they learnt English from me. I would also greet my neighbours in the morning on the way to work.
The impact
The trip was a process of self-learning. From the way Spanish people work in my field of construction, to learning how to look after myself in another country, and learning some Spanish in the lessons I participated in. Every day of my experience was an eye-opener!
I believe it will help me professionally because I have work experience in construction in another country, where I have learnt different skills that could help me stand out on the job market.
The skills that I learned, working in the sun and the Spanish working hours were amazing and things I will really miss! I’m so thankful for this once in a lifetime experience. I’m going to take on an apprenticeship for plumbing after I finish my course.
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
Collaboration and partnership is at the heart of what we do.
If you would like to find out more about the way we work, get in touch.
