OPUS and Internship Newsletter - May

Publish date: 05/06/2008

In order to keep you informed of the latest stories at Kaplan Aspect, we bring you the May edition of our newsletter. This month, we focus on Dublin and London. Full details below.

OPUS Program in Dublin - students reap the rewards of working in retail

Kaplan Aspect students Fernanda Reda and Clementine Giradeau share a few things in common. Both are on the OPUS Program in Dublin, they are both working in retail, and both of them are benefiting hugely from the experience!

Fernanda (below left), 22, from Brazil, has been working since April as a sales assistant in the men’s clothing department of Arnotts - Ireland’s oldest department store. Fernanda really enjoys her job thanks to the friendly atmosphere and great relationship with her colleagues. She speaks English constantly at work to both staff and customers, and feels it is better to apply English to everyday situations than to merely study it, so that fluency can be established.

Meanwhile, French student Clementine (19, pictured below right), will complete her OPUS 9 program in June, having worked as a sales assistant in the ladies’ clothing department of Irish department store Dunnes. “I really like working for Dunnes stores” says Clementine. “It has been a really good experience for me. I manage to speak English a lot, especially to the customers. I have a great working relationship with the managers and I am also earning a good salary.”

Internship Programme - sporting success and a legal learning experience

Our internship students undertake placements in a wide range of industries, and this month we bring you two contrasting examples that nevertheless both have positive outcomes.

For the past nine weeks, German intern Irina Toleikis (pictured below left), 20, has been working as a PE teacher and assistant for Fit for Sport, who organise sporting activities for schools in London. Irina has worked at various schools, experiencing the different cultures of London and learning about the English education system. “I couldn’t have had a better internship and I would change nothing!” says Irina. Her passion for sport is reflected in her being a keen horse rider and volleyball player. She has also been awarded medals in Germany for her sporting achievements. Irina has yet to decide on a future career but judging from her enthusiasm and success during her placement we think it will be in a similar role!

Swiss student Nicolas Cuendet, 24, from Switzerland (pictured below right), did his internship for seven weeks at Dublinbased legal firm LawPlus Clifford Sullivan & Co. What did Nicolas think of his experience? “It was very interesting for several reasons. There was a lot of diversity in the tasks I had to achieve. In addition, it was very exciting to see the progress of an employment case at the Dublin High Court. Last but not least, the work atmosphere at the company was great: not only were the people highly professional but very relaxed as well, which enabled me to speak a lot with them and greatly improve my English."

Want to know more?
OPUS Paid Work and Study - Contact: Joe.solomon@kaplan.com
Internships in the UK and Ireland - Contact: Carolle.raynor@kaplan.com

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