My first week - Lars Schnoor

Here is a quick review of the first week in England for our student Lars, he has joined us here at TTPL for the next couple of weeks. Welcome and we all hope you continue to enjoy your time with us.

The forecast predicts blue sky and very much sun. When I arrived in Bristol on Friday the forecast was right, but I had already caught a heavy cold on the plane. After 2 hours driving on the left side on small roads I finally arrived in Torquay and it was so beautiful, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.

In Germany it is very cold and before I left Germany it has snowed and

additionally it’s unusual to see a blue sky, there is always a grey sky or it’s snowy. In Torquay there isn’t snow and it isn’t raining, there is just a big blue sky.

The next day I drove from Babbacombe over Paignton to Brixham on the Coast Road, the traffic was very jammed because it was Easter holidays and everyone drove to the coast.

On Monday I drove to Exeter. It’s a fairly large city in the south-east of Devon. On the right you can see the Exeter Cathedral. The cathedral is very long it seems to be nearly endless.

The next day I received my welcome pack with a little mistake in the date, so I had this day to go to Dartmoor National Park. There I saw many wild horses, which were very tame, they stood right next to the road. 

On Wednesday I finally started working on 10 am. At first I became my Welcome Meeting, after that I started making little tasks, like searching internet addresses from other organisations. After I had finished this task, I got some several tasks. At the end I got a new task to enter new applicants into the system. I finished work on 4 pm.

On Tuesday I went again to work and I worked until its 1 pm. Kerry took Laura and me to the student meeting into the zoo. It was very funny. There were many different exotic animals, which were from tame to dangerous.

On Friday I worked as usual and wrote this article. In the weekend I will visit Plymouth and Dartmouth.

Lars Schnoor

MY FIRST WEEK

Our student Laura has been with us for a week and has written a short blog for us...

Last Monday I traveled with my friends Elena, Laura and my teacher Estefania. It's my first time that I travel to another country and I was very nervous. Estefania went back last Thursday to Spain. 

When I arrived Torquay I felt very surprised because everything’s different compared to my country Spain. The cars driving for right, the people wear different clothes, the majority read meals in the supermarket and weather is normally cloud and rain.

After a week here I see the country has positive things, the people are very well-behaved and polite with everyone. I'm getting used to the weather. I normally eat chicken, salads and cheese sandwich.

I live with Laura, Helena and Jenny (German girl). I love my house in Torquay because it’s a typical England house! I get along very well with my flatmate Jenny, she is really nice with me.

When I arrived at TTPL (Training Partnership) last Tuesday I was really nervous because my level of English is not very good and I thought that would not go well and they would not understand me, but I was wrong. The colleague were very likeable and patient with me. I feel very good and relaxed. My mentor Gemma is very sweet and patient with me because I'm always asking questions. I like this working relationship because they always laughing!

Last Saturday I visit Brixham harbour, it’s a beautiful place. I went for a walk along the harbour and take a lot of photos. After dinner of fish and chips, we returned with ferry. At night we went to a pub with Spanish people and met the other students groups from other countries.

Next day we went shopping in Exeter with Laura and Helena; when finish shopping we went to the coffee shop for lunch. In the evening we caught a bus and returned home. 

I stay for nine weeks in Torquay and I'm very happy because it's a good experience because I learn English and know people from different countries and news places. I recommend this travel! 

A Farewell blog from Diana

I remember my first day and I'm sure I'll never forget the last of this great trip and this company, TTPL.

Right now I'm very happy and very sad.

A great happiness for go back to those I love, I miss my country, the food, everything.

A great sadness because I met new people we had become, friends, especially in my workplace. 

I met a family so good that made me feel the first to the last second like I belong has always worked on it and actually become so important to me that you can call sister, mother or father.

In a way the people here are very different from my country and for the better. 

I shared so many smiles and stories here, I lost fears, improved my English, I met new places. 

After this experience I will really miss all, I have got used to the food (but other students I met here do not like it). 

The distance from home was a little less difficult because one year ago I had a similar experience, in my country, but at 6 hours away from my home and far away from my family for 2 months. It was not so difficult in question of language, because it was the same, not like here.

I am fortunate to work for this company, for me is the best and would not to change it. The working environment is very good and nice, students can adjust and work well because colleagues help us in everything we need and explain our daily tasks and support us with interest in our wellbeing. They talk with us, are animated and fun, are friendly and competent, and always offer a real smile.

I will not forget the laughter of my colleagues, the smiles, the open the door, the questions, the worries, the way to be, everything.

This overcomes the major travel and great distances.

I do not know exactly if everyone will miss me, do not know if they will remember me in  a few years, because I am a student amongst thousands, but I'll miss it here and will not forget.

I leave a bit of my heart on this earth and I will come back one day.

Diana Lopes