THE END !!! (SUMMER 2013 ) ....Veni, vidi, vici.....
13 FRIDAYS ....Finally this day has come, and I can summarize my SUMMER IN BORDEAUX.
This three months actually went quite fast, and generally saying, my holidays where very occupied. There was no time to waste.
I would like to start by talking generally about the whole program, and how I feel about it, If I do recommend it etc... also I will give you some tips, before I go, which might be useful)
I think its hard to answer the question if I did enjoy by one word YES or NO... I guess you need to come here first and experience all this by yourself. But what you need to keep in mind is that you are not coming here for holidays. I knew that, I knew It wont be easy, but there were things which surprised me, and for which you have to be prepared, while going for Leonardo program.
Maybe it will seemed to be very obvious for you, but I will say, BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT KIND OF WORK PLACEMENT YOU ARE CHOOSING.
If you are choosing TOURISM/HOTEL industry, be prepared that you will have to work on weekends or/and on bank holidays. Also you must be prepared that you will be working in absolutely different hours... you might be finishing very late, or start very early...
By saying YOU MUST BE VERY SPECIFIC I mean it will be useful to write on your application what exactly you want to do, I was lucky to work in the reception, but I have friends who had to work in reception, with breakfast and also do the room service, which I think was a bit too much.
Also, very useful is to be prepared with uniform. Of course sometimes you cannot predict, what they will ask you to wear, sometimes you might be lucky and get a T-shirt, or some uniform. I was not :) They asked me to have a high heels in my job, so I did ask my mum to send me one, ( so I could be sure they will be comfortable). But generally it is safe to take a black,skirt and trouses, plus white and black shirt. I think it would work for most of the jobs,
Now more about life in B.
Did I enjoy it? There were better and worst days. Beginning was very difficult, I was ill, a bit lonely, and I just wanted to go home. (I did not write blog on the bad days).
After two weeks, I did start to enjoy the living in the Bordeaux. I also started to know this city better.
About the language course
It was OK. First week with teacher called V. was AMAZING !!! I was very enjoying it, but then for the rest three weeks our teachers were changing, and it become to be a bit disorganised, and I do not thing I was learning much.
work placement
Then on 8.06 I started my work placement, where EVERYTHING CHANGED. I have to say that I did adopted very fast, which I think was good. I started to learn a lot of new vocabulary associated with a hotel. It was very excited to meet so many new people and to deal with all different customers.
First month went very quickly !!!
During the second month I started to learn more things, like how to do reservations, and how to do " check outs. First month was mostly about activating the keys, "check ins" and everyday customers problems, and questions, plus doing some "paper work"
But I have to say that It was a great experience to work in 4 * hotel reception. I did like it a lot !:) It was cool to discover how all things work, and to see the hotel life from the "other side". I think it will be good addition to my CV.
Did it improved?? YES !, it did definitely improved, but I still need to work on it as it is not as good as I would like it to be. But thanks to SUMMER IN BORDEAUX, I will have an easier start in STRASBOURG Uni.
Apart from working and learning...
Yes, I did have some time to do other things as well. I visited few places outside Bordeaux, in Aquitaine region, also I did visit quite a lot of Bordeaux attractions, So I am very happy about it. Also I did enjoy a lot my weekends on the Ocean... :)
French Family...
Things were not as I expected them to be... but that's a long story...
I have to say it is not easy to get use to some other family customs, but I am glad I did survive this 3 months.. and I can go back home !:)hurray !!!
Some more tips for you...
Bordeaux is a really good city for skater, so if you have an opportunity to take skateboard, or roller skates, I do advice it a lot !!! It has a skate park, plus amazing paths for roller-skating. :)
Also, What some of my friends did, they bought a bike in Bordeaux, for around 30 euros... I think it was a good idea too, then you can spend money, which you get for the ticket, for other things.:)
Oh, also in the end, I would like to say THANK YOU
-To my parents, to who I could always talk, and they were supporting me a lot !
- To my BF, who was always happy to help me, even if he was miles away...
-To lovely receptionists L, and D :) ! It was nice to work with you !!
-to the girl called S. with who lived with me and the French family^^...Thank YOU for being there, and for listening me, and supporting in better and worst days, and for having meals together, and generally for everything:) It was nice living with u ! xxxx
So I guess that's all...
GOOD LUCK FOR ALL FUTURE LEONARDO PARTICIPANTS !!!:)
Best Wishes for you guys,
and bye bye BORDEAUX !!!
I AM COMING HOME !!! :) <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ImCpNqbJw
A. xxx
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