Thanks to Frank at Harbour Sports, another fab placement!

My name is Matthias Feuerstein, I am 22 years old and I come from Düsseldorf but I live and work in Stuttgart at the moment. Together with The Training Partnership Ltd. (TTPL) and the company I've being trained as an industrial clerk, a chance for this work experience was given to me. To see something completely different than my office in Stuttgart I'm working at Harbour Sports in Paignton, England for the next 4 weeks. Working abroad is a great chance to find out something about yourself and to prepare your English. It's a pleasure to work for as well as with the Harbour Sports Team.

Unforgettable experience – Awoyele, Biodun Martins

Martins, as he is known to us, is a Work Experience student with us via The Romanian American University in Bucharest - originally from Nigeria, Martins is studying Marketing and International Trade and is spending his 3 month placement with us. He has already become an integral part of our team and we all hope he continues to enjoy his time here.

First of all, TTPL gives me more than what I bargained for, I was appointed as a Marketing/Administrative Assistant by the Training Partnership Limited, United Kingdom in my ongoing internship programme and the experiences so far can be described as the prospect appealing and internationalization focus.

Tasks ranging from  support of all the administrative work  like preparing Final reports of our Partners, Source information  from student files to enable accuracy  and Marketing is my Primary task but not limited to that alone.

The first week of arrival seems weird but fun …..That’s culture shock for me but greatly enthusiasm, the staff are very friendly, polite and treats you with great respects. British Culture is worthy of emulation. I admire the spirit of the Teamwork in every bit of my task. TTPL is supportive to my career and I enjoy a challenged world with solution.

Three weeks ago, I was among the policy and decision makers at the Chamber lunch organized by the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Industry focusing on the Global economy and the future of the large and small scale businesses in Devon region of the UK. This great event really widens my scope and view on the Global economy trend and its forecast. I also met Mr. Ben Bradshaw (British Member of the Parliament) who is a guest speaker of that day, Thanks for those words of encouragement from Ben and for being a source of inspiration. His mentorship is needed in the 21^st century skills; it is indeed an awesome experience for me.

Student meeting is an ideal place to have fun, exchanging views & thoughts for the upcoming meetings and mentored by the dedicated Staff. I enjoyed the beautiful Cockington Court and   boat trip around Torbay", it was fun and fabulous experience. Yesterday, we had barbecue at llsham green and with ball games too, it was a blissful experience for me to be in the gathering of the greats!!! and where you  feel the true atmosphere of mixed cultures  and mingle with the young people  who are open minded and dynamic in their pursuit and TTPL is ready to listen and provide solution to any of our worries.

British culture is very lovely and in the UK, you always feel like you’re in your country, The beautiful landscape of Devon is excellent, especially towns like Exeter, Torquay, Brixham and Paignton where you see nature in action and its memories cannot be forget in a hurry.

Finally, Thanks to The Training Partnership Limited  and the Romanian American University  for being great partners, bringing theory into practice, innovative ideas and skills that's needed in the 21st Century to help its Students . 

I cannot express how joyful I am to you all rather say...''More power to your elbow’’.

Homestay meeting in the Emerald Isle for Lorenzo

It looked like a common day but definitely it hasn't been. I was working on the Homestay project at my pc like usually, when Nadine appeared to ask me if I would be liked to go to Dublin for a meeting with Frank, a worker of the Homestay group. Before realize what was going on, I had already said yes!

Two weeks later, here I am at the Exeter airport, direction Dublin. As I arrive, a perfect 20 degrees weather welcomes me in the green island.

                  After some issues with theaccommodation for a misunderstanding reservation, I make a walk in Temple Bar, the heart of Dublin. Pubs, night clubs, live music and a thousand people fill the streets in what is the longest daytime I ever seen (the sunset's been at 10:30pm). Next day, after a morning meeting with Frank, I spent the rest of the day visiting the whole city, or at least the main attractions of Dublin, like the Ha' Penny Bridge, the university campus, St. Stephens Green and Phoenix Green.

In my last day I could not lose a visit at the Guinness Storehouse. Six floors tour guide tells me the whole story of the factory let me make by myself the perfect pint of Guinness first and then enjoy it at the Gravity Bar with a marvelous sightseeing of the city. What else I should say? Amazing experience! Thanks TTPL!

A lovely blog from Elisabeth (Lisa) Schoenen

Lisa has just completed her work experience at Harbour Sports in Paignton - on her last day Frank took her out to see some of the sights, here is her blog...

 

Hey Guys, Today I went on an adventure with the lovely Frank. He showed me many nice places which are close to Paignton. At first we visited the South Devon College and I was very impressed by the new buildings and the big area of the college. Then we drove to Stoke Gabrial by the River Dart. It was beautiful down there but when we got to Tonto Marire at Galmpton Creek I wanted to cry because I forgot my mobile phone and left it at Harbour Sports so I couldn’t take any photos!! We also met the famous Tonto at his shop and he seems to be very friendly. The last place we visited was Kingswear. We looked at Dartmoth and there I saw the beautiful building of the Royal Naval College. It was a very nice day and I enjoyed the little trip.

And now I can say: England is a wonderful place to stay!

Elisabeth (Lisa) Schoenen

Student blog courtesy of Frank at Harbour Sports

Frank Sobey, one of our longest serving and most popular work placements always encourages his students to reach their potential and become involved in all aspects of the business in the beautiful Paignton Harbour. He currently has a German student with him...here is her blog and in her own words...

 "Hey guys,
I’m Elisabeth (Lisa) Schoenen, the new business intern at Harbour Sports.
This week was great, the weather was beautiful and we we...re quite busy at work.
I’m so happy to be here that I don’t want to leave in four weeks! ;-)
I hope that the weather doesn’t change next week so I can relax in the sun again!
The Training Partnership Torquay has arranged the internship and they have been very supportive.
This weekend Paignton Sailing Club has a championship and I have offered to help. It will be a good opportunity to meet new people and to spend time in a boat.
Hey Leute!
Ich bin Elisabeth (Lisa) Schoenen, die neue Praktikantin bei Harbour Sports.
Diese Woche war toll, das Wetter war wunderschoen und wir hatten ziemlich viel zu tun. Ich bin so froh hier zu sein, dass ich in vier Wochen garnicht mehr gehen moechte. ;-)
Ich hoffe wirklich, dass das Wetter so bleibt wie jetzt, damit ich wieder die Sonne geniessen kann.
Das Auslandspraktikum wurde von The Training Partnership Torquay organisiert. Sie unterstuetzen alle Praktikanten sehr und sind jederzeit fuer einen da, wenn man Hilfe braucht.
Dieses Wochenende findet eine Meisterschaft des Paignton Sailing Clubs statt und ich wuerde mich freuen den Seglern zu helfen. Diese Veranstaltung waere eine gute Gelegenheit um neue Leute kennen zu lernen und um etwas Zeit auf einem Boot zu verbringen."

 

Student meeting at Brixham

Brixham by Boat...

 Summer is came finally, and what’s the best way to celebrate if not with a boat trip in the bay!
The meeting is at 1.30 pm at Torquay Harbour for another students meeting.
There are 18 degrees, the sun shines up above a clearly sky and the sea is completely flat.
Students join the boat and here we go! The captain of the ship sets sail, Brixham destination!
The weather is awesome and everybody take advantage by having a perfect sunbath and take pictures together!
Arrived in Brixham, me and my friends take a long walk to the lighthouse, enjoying the fantastic seaside walk and the wonderful landscape that Brixham offers.
Unfortunatly with so much to do we missed the last boat to Torquay, and we had to take a bus trip back! But hey, it was a great day. Next week we are at Torquay so it should be very enjoyable.

 

A students view of a weekly meeting - Thank you Lorenzo!

Good morning everybody! Finally it’s Friday and as The Cure singing “Friday I’m in love”, the weekend is knocking at the door. But now I just want you to know what an amazing Thursday afternoon was yesterday.

Another students social meeting organized by TTPL, this time at BOWLING!!!
The windy weather is perfect for a bowling competition and a lot of excited students can’t wait for challenge each other. People come together and in a few minutes all the tracks come to life.

A hundred people from all around the world yelling, clapping and cheering turns the bowling into a big do! And here I am! Fighting for the second position because the first one is already assigned to Alvaro, a 19 years old Spanish guy, who is a little champion in bowling.

Meanwhile the German group seems to be a kind of professional bowling team, because they don’t miss a shot and our scoreboard is embarrassing  compared to theirs. The atmosphere still grows, someone takes a beer to relax, someone else jokes and annoys the friend who is ready to throw the bowl.                                                      

When the game is over, some guys leave the bowling to enjoy the sunny day, others stay for a pool match!
At the end, I've got a 3rd position, beaten by an Italian girl at last shot!

What a great afternoon.

Lorenzo,

Work Placement Student from Italy  

'Rosamunde Pilcher' Tour for our German teachers

On Thursday 4^th April a  small group of  5 teachers from Germany travelled from Torquay to Truro; driven by Brian (of Top Cabs) to meet  with a Blue Badge Guide for a  ‘Rosamunde Pilcher’ Tour in Cornwall.  On meeting, the enthusiasm and anticipation of having an enjoyable day out was infectious and as the day progressed it was a bonus that Brian, the driver, was more than willing to accommodate all requests related to making the most of the tour.

 

After the brief stop near Truro,  St Michael’s Mount  was the first destination – an iconic castle set in Mount’s Bay  and the location used in several Rosamunde Pilcher  films such as ‘Wolken am Horizont’  and ‘Heimkehr’.  Arriving in the ancient town of Marazion at high tide meant that the journey to the Mount had to be by small boat. Thankfully the crossing was smooth, even if chilly. Once landed on the island quay  a steep climb had to be undertaken to reach the castle. The walk was warming and along the route there was time to hear stories and legends of the giant once lived here. The walk was warming on a cold day but the sun was shining down and views from the island of the Cornish coast with its villages and towns were spectacular. After touring the warm rooms of the castle, followed by surviving the cold winds on the battlements it was back to the harbour to catch the boat back to Marazion.  From here we made for St Ives – Rosamunde Pilcher’s ‘Polkerris’. En route we detoured around the village of Lelant to view Rosamunde’s birth place and home in later years as well as the church in which she married. The cameras continued to click!

On arrival in ‘Porthkerris ‘, which had such an influence on the artists about which Rosamunde Pilcher wrote,  the priority was to seek lunch in warm surroundings which is exactly what was done by descending on a small café in  one of St Ives quaint lanes known as The Digey. Here hot local food and …….. plenty of homemade cakes were consumed  before exploring the harbourside and town which featured not only in novels but also provided the backdrop for many German-made television programmes.
A  visit to the Carbis Bay Hotel, otherwise known as ‘The Sands Hotel’ in Rosamunde Pilcher’s most famous novel ‘The Shellseekers’ , rounded off the day. Here the expanse of St Ives Bay and North Cornish coast was the stunning view enjoyed from the conservatory whilst enjoying refreshment which varied between tea and a glass of wine!
A great day was had by all with there being many comments related to wishing to return to see yet more of Rosamunde Pilcher’s Cornwall.