Four of our Year 12 students went to Lille in France during February half-term for a week's work experience with companies based in the city.

Four of our Year 12 students went to Lille in France during February half-term for a week's work experience with companies based in the city. Sarah spent her time working in a fancy dress shop, Lauren worked in a toyshop, Imelda was based in a clothes shop and Cayetana experienced life in a busy restaurant.

The four students travelled with Halsbury Travel, a company that specialises in work experience abroad. They travelled from Durham by bus and ferry and stayed in a hotel in the centre of Lille. The trip was quite daunting as the students knew that they would have to be very independent and would find themselves challenged in unfamiliar environments but all four girls feel that they gained a lot from their week abroad.

Sarah explained that the experience has given her more confidence particularly when dealing with adults or speaking to groups of people and Lauren agreed that she too have developed confidence and independence as well as improving her spoken French.

In addition to the work experience, the students made the most of their time in Lille, embracing the French lifestyle; spending time exploring the historic parts of the city and visiting galleries and shopping centres, eating out and browsing in the book markets. Sarah, who is interested in fashion Design and is studying AS texiles, found a visit to the Natural History Museum and a modern art gallery particularly useful for a current project she is working on.

The students thoroughly enjoyed their week abroad and would recommend it to others as an experience which fosters independence and highlights to universities and employers that they are people who enjoy new experiences and challenges.