My report about my placement at Embrace - Leni B.

I am attending a placement in the media section of Embrace.
My work starts at 9:00 in the morning and I finish at 5:00 pm. I have to manage and update the blog about our group together with Julia. We visit the members of our group at their placements and write reports about their work. Furthermore Julia and me work on our own art project which is an contribution to the existing Life Dreams Project.

I learnt how to create a blog in the internet and in addition to that I gained some new skills working with graphic programs like Photoshop. Through our field trips around London I know nearly everything about the transport system and what obstacles one has to overcome when you need to be at the right place on the right time.

When we started the blog there were some difficulties with the computer but Alex helped us and now I am more experienced in this field. Time management is also very important and I had to realize that I need to work on that because it makes my work easier.
I like to work at Embrace because there is such a nice work – atmosphere. The cooperation with the colleagues is great since there is always someone you can ask if you need any help. Moreover it is amazing to share experiences with the other people because they have so many different backgrounds and work on exciting projects. This is what makes Embrace so special – it lets you discover your own purpose of life and you realize that everything is possible.

In my opinion there is nothing better to learn a language than going abroad and study or work over there. You learn the language naturally because you have to speak to your colleagues and the management.

Verena S.

I am working at Oxfam.

Jesse A. and Jonathan S.

We are attending a placement at Embrace Cooperation Ltd..
We have an own project since we are going to do a film (promotion film) for Embrace!

Julia S. – My report about my working experience at Embrace Cooperation Ltd.

I joined the media section of Embrace and worked there for two months. Leni and I created the whole blog and we worked on our own project. We dealt with the Life Dreams Project and started to develop a program which is about: “How can someone put artistic elements into the Life Dreams Project?” (Art Project). For this reason we want young adults to contemplate if art (fine arts, photography, singing, dancing, acting, …) can be an opportunity to find his or hers own profession and life dream. Furthermore, art can be used as a kind of therapy. If someone thinks about what his or hers life was about it can be a huge ease to get throw it by expressing himself / herself. Often people in our age have to overcome difficulties. Additionally to that we thought that you cannot reach your life dream when you do not express yourself. Art is expression!

I work every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. For our Art Project, we did a lot of research and field trips. We visited galleries and museums and got into contact with artists and employees. After a few weeks we started to search for cooperation partners for Embrace concerning our project. Somehow we were successful. Nevertheless the whole project should be finished by professional staff members of Embrace. It takes more than a few weeks to create an enormous project like that. We really hope that our work can be used and completed.
The blog work was fun! We visited our group members at their work places, did interviews with them and took pictures. In our office we translated every single thing into English and uploaded it. As far as I am concerned we improved our writing skills a lot and this is a big achievement! Indeed!
I have learned so far that I can imagine working voluntary for a non-profit organisation since I am impressed about their social work.

Visiting Chrisina Sp. at her workplace

Hey Christina! What is your role in the organisation where you are attending your placement?

I am working in the office of the Haringey Church Winter Shelter. The church accommodates homeless people in the winter time. We look after them, organize food for them and give them a room in which they can stay the night. We have cooperations with six further churches. I am doing all the paperwork, e.g. documents, applications and tables. Most of the time I am working with the PC.

So and when do you have to go to work?

My labour time varies. Sometimes I have to work till the very late evening. Usually I am working for seven or ten hours.

What are your achievements so far? What were your daily challenges and how did you manage them?

I improved my English skills and got to know some new vocabulary. Furthermore, my writing “know-how” polished a lot since I had to deal with many paper work and emails on the Pc. I definitely enjoy my given tasks! They dare me every day and I am sure that I will take a lot of new knowledge back home. In addition to that the working atmosphere is pleasant and all colleagues are nice and helpful. The whole placement confirms what I have known so far: I want to work in an office! As far a I am concerned this confirmation is my biggest achievement!
Another very striking point is the fact that I got to know the social work of a church in the U.K. I like a lot that my work causes something positive and sustainable.
As everyone said already the biggest challenge was speaking another language. However my colleagues helped me all the time so that I was not alone with my problems. Thanks for that!

Thank you very much Christina! Cheers and have a nice day!

Christina Sp.

Age: 21


Place of residence: Norwood Junction



What kind of placement do you attend and why have you decided to do it? What do you want to achieve through your placement?

I work in the Haringey Church Winter Shelter. It is a project for homeless people. Every night, each one of the seven churches, hosts their guests, providing a hot meet, warm and safe bed and breakfast the next morning. It is run by volunteers. My role is preparing documents in English for the Winter Shelter. For example I have amended errors and produced by designing the rota that will be used by the volunteer coordinators. When I started my placement I hoped it would be interesting and that I could help people. I have achieved this and more. I feel very proud and happy to be involved in this project that touches people lives.

Have you served any apprenticeship? If not, what kind of profession would you like to do in the future? What are your dreams and passions, your hobbies?

I have no plan for my future. I want to study BWL and I will make an application.

Is there someone in your life that inspires you or is there any person you look up to? Why?

The person that inspires me is my mother. The reason is that she gives and is helpful to other people and has always an ambition in her life. I would like to have her characteristics.

What are your impressions about your first week in London? What do you think about your workplace? Have you discovered anything impressive, interesting or fantastical you would like to share with us (sights, people, places, work experiences)?

My 1st impression was there are SO many people here. I have never seen so many people, not even at a party or event.
My workplace is good because everyone has been very nice and helpful to me. I haven’t had to work on my own, but with help.
One thing in particular about my work place is that I wanted to improve my English; I got more than this! I got the experience of helping others. I will take this away with me in my heart.

Leni B.

What kind of placement do you attend and why have you decided to do it? What do you want to achieve through your placement?

I am attending a placement in the media section of Embrace in order to get an insight in this sort of work. An internship offers you the possibility to gain experience in an office setting , you become part of a team and you will also gain a valuable knowledge in your field of study. In my case I wanted to find out if I can imagine myself working with media later in my life.

Have you served any apprenticeship? If not, what kind of profession would you like to do in the future? What are your dreams and passions, your hobbies?

I finished my A levels this year and so far I did not serve any apprenticeship before. I can imagine myself being a teacher since I love to work with kids and I am interested in English and politics. Moreover I would like to work with media and communication skills and combine this with some social work. There so many nice things to do out there! One of my passions is photography and I would like to work in this field later or combine it with my job.

Is there someone in your life that inspires you or is there any person you look up to? Why?

I had a great politics teacher during my A Levels and he inspired me a lot because he is really passionate about his job and teaches more than what is written down in books.

What are your impressions about your first week in London? What do you think about your workplace? Have you discovered anything impressive, interesting or fantastical you would like to share with us?

I love London! It was a very busy but amazing week and I can still not realize that I am going to stay here for longer than just a weekend. Embrace is a nice company and my colleagues are great so there is everytime someone who likes to drink a coffee with you in the break and you can share some experiences. There is always something that you discover about a city like London! Last weekend I went to Camden Market and it was completely different from the rest of the city! I took some nice pictures and got to know amazing corners of London so one should definitely go there!

Pictures of Christina St.'s workplace

Visiting Christina St. at her workplace

Hi Christina! What is your role in the organization?

I am attending a placement in the marketing design section of Cool Tan Arts.

What are your daily tasks?

My work starts at 10:00 am and I finish at 6:00 pm. I am working with several graphic programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign in order to produce proper posters and leaflets for the workshops of cool tan arts. Additionally I am taking part in the poem workshop and started writing.

What are your achievements so far and what have you learnt?

I got to know some new graphic programs and I help the people at cool tan arts with the advertisement for the workshops. Furthermore I produced some posters which I will take into my portfolio so that I can use them for future applications.
The poem workshop made me realize that I am fascinated about poems and I wrote some on my own.

What were the challenges and how did you manage them?

At first there were some difficulties with the graphic programs but I managed it to learn how to use them properly. Now I am more experienced in this field.
During the poem workshop I realized that I need to learn some vocabulary but it worked out.

What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get most out of it?

There is also a photography workshop here at cool tan arts and I would like to attend it in order to shoot some nice pictures for my portfolio. Moreover I will keep on producing posters and at the moment I am creating an Edcard.

How is your cooperation with the colleagues and management in your placement?

I like the atmosphere at cool tan arts and I enjoy working here. The colleagues are very nice and take my point of view into consideration. I do have a great freedom of action and they give me the opportunity to attend some of the workshops.

How do you experience to speak another language at work?

In my opinion it is a good way to practice your English and to learn some new vocabulary.

Thank you Christina!

Visiting Alex at his workplace

Hi Alex! What is your role in the organisation you are attending your placement at the moment?

I work with the staff of Embrace closely together on several projects. I am a project administration assistant at Embrace.

When do you have to go to work and what are your daily tasks there?

My work starts at 9:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm. During my day I support Embrace with internet research and looking for new placements for students arriving in the future. Furthermore I am responsible for all the students who are working here at the moment.

What are your achievements so far and what were the challenges in your first weeks? How did you manage them? Are there still some of them left?

When I arrived it was difficult to talk in english to people who are able to understand me in German – so I had to practice very hard. Now I have improved my English and feel more confident when I am talking to someone. As a consequence of my work with young adults I know now how to handle problems very well and I enjoy this experience.

How is your cooperation with colleagues in your placement organisation and what are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?

I have been already to London and worked with Embrace together some weeks ago so I know the team members. I love Embrace because the colleagues are great and we are working good together.

For the rest of my time here I will try to improve my English and I will finish my tasks so that they will be proud of me.

What have you learnt so far during your placement and your time in London?

I realised that I like to live abroad and to speak a different language. Moreover I got to know so many new people and I hope to keep contact with them.

Thank you Alex.

Pictures of Jasmin's workplace

Visiting Jasmin at her workplace

Hi Jasmin! What is your role in the organisation your are working at the moment?

I am attending a placement as a chef in Schmidts Café.

When do you have to go to work and what are your daily tasks there?

I have to work from Thursday to Sunday and it starts at 9:00 am and I finish at 6:00 pm.

When I arrive at the Café I start to prepare the food in the kitchen. We are mainly focussed on breakfast and lunch but we also have sandwiches.

What are your achievements so far?

For the first time of my life I have prepared the traditional English breakfast. Moreover I got to know some new cooking skills and the right “kitchenvocabulary”. However cooking seems to be some kind of universal.

What were the challenges and how did you manage them?

First of all it is so hard to communicate with other people when you do not know enough vocabulary. I was afraid that I will not understand what my tasks are and that I can not talk to my colleagues but in the end everything was all right. You have to communicate with hands and feet and than it works out.

So how do you experience to speak another language at work?

It is the best way to learn a language because you need it for your daily survival (-;

How is your cooperation with colleagues in your placement organisation and what are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?

I have a good relationship with my colleagues and I like the atmosphere in the Café.

In my opinion I need to find the right timing for the preparation of the food and still I need to learn my vocabulary.

What have you learnt so far during your placement and your time in London?

I realised how important it is to be very open minded and you should never be afraid of asking someone for help.

Thank you Jasmin

Pictures of Katharina's workplace

Visiting Katharina at her workplace

Hello Katharina! What is exactly your role in the company where you attend your placement?

I work at a company called Lasa. It is a charity which does training consultants for other companies. For my daily routine I work a lot with the PC. I sort the incoming letters by name, by date and by other criteria; I probably do secretary work. As far as I am concerned they trust in me and give me a lot of responsibility. I work with their database and their courseware which have to be treated as confidential.

Sounds great, I am impressed! What are your achievements so far and what were the challenges in your first weeks? How did you manage them? Are there still some of them left?

My biggest achievements so far are the facts that I can speak a lot of English every day and that I got to know a lot of new people at my workplace who became friends of mine. I can get a whiff of what it is like to work in a charity company and I really have to admit that I like the work of Lasa. At the very beginning it was hard to speak another language than my mother tongue (I speak German and Russian). Nevertheless my colleagues are so nice and supporting, they always help me with words I do not understand at all and translate them into easier ones. So I communicate a lot. I cannot think about a challenge that is left yet.

So is it right that I took the view that your cooperation with your colleagues and management is amazing?

Yes, in deed! I have to say that my boss is extremely pleased with my work. I am very proud of myself!

What are your plans for the rest of the placement to get the most out of it?

I am attending voluntarily an English course for two hours after my work every day. I want to improve my English skills as best as I can in these eight weeks. In the future, I definitely would like to return to London and work here as an au-pair for probably a year. One day, I can maybe work for Lasa again. I fell in love with London and my life dream would be to live and work here. In my opinion this imagination is manageable; you only have to work hard enough!

Pictures of Stella's workplace