Steve's sandbox

Category: Case Study

  • Case Study – Jed Martin: Germany 2022-2023

    Case Study – Jed Martin: Germany 2022-2023

    I would like to first say a big thank you to the John Speak trust for granting me a language scholarship and allowing me to embrace life here in Germany.

    A year ago, I arrived in Germany after deciding to start a Bachelors degree in Physics at the University of Rostock. Making this decision wasn’t easy and I was quickly faced with the challenges that come with moving abroad. Initially my studies was the largest challenge as I was forced to quickly get a grip of the language and subject-specific terminology that was being used on a day to day basis in my lectures and seminars. Over the past year I feel like my understanding of German has increased dramatically to the point where I can now sit in my lectures and essentially “think” in German, allowing me to put more effort into understanding the physics and content of the course rather than the language itself.  This is something I am incredibly proud of as it really shows me how far I’ve come with my language learning.

    Although there have been many challenges to tackle over the last year, there have been just as many rewards. I have met so many amazing people and built friendships that I know will last a life-time. I have truly enjoyed discovering the city of Rostock and everything it has to offer, as well as the surrounding area of Mechlenburg-Vorpommern and I can only recommend it to any potential visitors! I have grown to feel comfortable here and look forward to discover even more as my studies go on.

    Thanks to the sponsorship of the John Speak Trust I have been able to travel freely throughout Germany and parts of northern Europe.

    I have enjoyed trips to Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin and Münster and embarked on journeys to Sweden, Denmark and the Czech republic. I found seeing more of Europe very important as it has given me a better picture and understanding of life abroad in general and how different it can be. It is difficult for example to compare the bustling Christmas markets of Leipzig with the busy summer streets of Prague as they are both in their own way unique and amazing!

    The list of highlights over the last year goes on indefintely: from enjoying warm summer evenings on the beach of Warnemünde, watching my first live basketball game of the Rostock Seawolves, cycling along the southern coast of Sweden, going ice-swimming in the Baltic sea, going to a concert in Berlin and many many more.

    I would once again like to extend my gratitiude to the John Speak Trust and although my scholarship has now come to an end, my endeavour to deepen my understanding of the German language and culture will go on as I go on into my second year of studies here. My last year has been full of amazing memories and moments and I have even recently managed to find a part-time job which makes me feel even more settled here in Rostock. I look forward to everything that I have in front of me!

    Thank you all for having taken your time to read through my monthly reports and now this last case-study.

    Jed Martin

  • Case Study: Max Jenkins – Valencia 2023

    Firstly, I would like to thank the John Speak Trust for helping finance my study abroad in Valencia. This really helped further fund different activities and nights out that I would not have originally been able to afford!

    I was really spoiled during the five months I was in Valencia. I think that before my arrival and the stress of planning my trip, I hadn’t truly considered the effect of what this journey would have on me. It is safe to say that it isn’t anything that I will ever regret or want to change.


    Arriving in Valencia in January, I was welcomed to lovely warm weather, not so typical of a British winter! I jumped straight into exploring the city and starting University. Looking back, it is surprising how fast it took for me to adapt to the daily life of Spain. I suppose I had to in some ways though, as the majority of shops all close for a break in the middle of the day!

    However, this did not come without its challenges. While I actually found quite a few similarities between my University in Spain and England, there was a very large learning curve in that I was learning everything in Spanish! Working in classes with the majority of Spanish students was definitely a challenging experience, but it put me in a position where not only did I have to speak Spanish, but I was also listening to Spanish all the time.

    That opportunity to be immersed in Spain’s culture and be able to speak Spanish on a daily basis is something that has been extremely useful in the advancement of my Spanish speaking, especially in terms of my pronunciation and general fluency. These advancements obviously came with plenty of nervousness and lots of mistakes, but this is very normal!

    My time abroad has helped me become more comfortable with making mistakes.

    I am very grateful to have had this opportunity! Not only did I get to come study abroad, but I could afford to go out more often and try new things! Jiu Jitsu and Rock Climbing are two examples of activities that I tried for the first time while abroad, and they were fun! It was definitely a struggle being taught how to learn certain techniques in Spanish, but I think it immensely aided my comprehension. Similarly with food, I was able to try many different examples of local dishes, some of which include paella, arroces melozos, and a type of dried and smoked octopus dish often served at coastal seaside towns in the Valencia region.


    In conclusion, the five months during my time in Valencia allowed me to greatly develop my Spanish speaking.

    Thanks to the trust helping me gain some further financial freedom, I was able to make the most out of my time abroad by going out and trying different, new activities and meeting new people!

  • Case Study – Rosalind Lane: Hamburg 2022-23

    Rosalind Lane Hamburg Case Study
    My year in Hamburg has had a huge impact on me. I want to start off by saying thank you to the John Speak Trust, who have sponsored me throughout this year. The charity enabled me to travel around new Germany, meet new people and make the most of the wonderful city that is Hamburg!
    I moved to Hamburg in September 2022 to study a Master’s in German law. After working for three years, I wanted to take a break after finishing my grad scheme to both study further and experience life in another country. It was a brave decision to leave my job and friends in London, and move to a brand new city, but what a decision it was! I completed my Master’s (including writing a whole Master’s dissertation in German…) and have managed to have some fun along the way.


    As anyone who has lived abroad will tell you, moving to another country forces you to learn a lot about yourself. Not only how best you learn languages (an important one!), but how you like to meet new people and overcome the numerous challenges that life in another country brings. However, with the challenges come great joys: I have made new friendships with people all over the world, totally immersed myself in another culture and even managed to find a job!


    There have been several highlights of this year, but a couple of them stand out. A big one was the opportunity to spend the whole of March in Vienna, exploring the city and writing my dissertation in Viennese cafes, something I had always dreamt of doing. I rented a studio flat for four weeks, packed my bag and decided to immerse myself in another city. Although Vienna is also German speaking, its culture is a world away from Hamburg in Germany’s north. More traditional and laid-back, I loved being able to gain a deeper insight into one of my favourite cities.


    Another clear highlight was finishing my Master’s dissertation. This had taken a huge amount of work and is one of my proudest achievements to date. From picking a title, to researching a specific area of German law, to trying to articulate a reasonably well-founded argument, this was definitely a challenge for my language skills. However, the saying that the best way to learn languages is by being thrown in the deep end is completely true, and I’ve come out the other side feeling much more confident in my German.


    The rest of the year also had great moments. I made the most of living in a city with a beach, drank mulled wine at the Christmas markets and was able to show visitors the highlights of this great city. I’ve also become a lot more comfortable travelling by myself, one of the aims I set for myself before I moved, so that’s another achievement to celebrate.

    And for those looking to move to Germany, a few words of advice: meet as many new people as possible, try and get a regular hobby, and travel wherever you can. Oh, and apply for your visa early!!

  • Case Study: Nathaniel Jones, France 2023

    These past 10 months in France have changed my life, I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to experience this. All the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, the moments I connected with is something I wouldn’t have been able to feel back home, and learning this foreign language has been such a process, despite its challenges I loved learning it and growing from it

    Being immersed in the culture, people music it allowed me to have a first-hand perspective on what it meant to be French and live among them something that felt fabricated when I studied at home but here it felt like I was fully apart of it. I can say in terms of studying the language and a new course at university I have progressed a lot more, understanding tones more than what I had understood before thankfully and I’m motivated to continue my studying even when I return to my home country

    I came to realize many things about not only the country but also within myself, firstly I understood that every moment in itself is a lesson, whether it’s the interactions with people with different stories and backgrounds, or whether its knowing that music, art and culture can transcend the depths of language and its barriers, there were many experiences and times I learnt from which I would’ve paid no mind to before in my life.

    Furthermore, I realized that safety nets prohibit progress by this I mean to say that staying in one’s comfort zone or not embarking on adventures or taking risks we can’t elevate or progress to the next level, when learning a new language or anything honestly, we must be open to make mistakes, not ashamed of looking silly, if there is confusion, uncertainty etc that is fine, its natural but preserving and not stopping is the main thing to do.

    And I would say another lesson I took in was consistency, similar to the previous point I suppose but have a consistent mindset or always taking time out of your day to practice the language, research where you can or find out new things about what you’re interested in helped me a lot when learning or inquiring about the history of France, or when I wanted to hone my skills elsewhere. These skills are definitely something I will be taking back home with me, and I’ll use for the rest of my life.

    Speaking on when I return to the UK. I want to not only continue my studies in French but I would love to start a social group amongst those aiming to learn or are learning French so we could help each other progress, and furthermore I aim to keep in touch with all the amazing people I have met here. Then in the future I plan to travel to other French speaking counties and see how their cultures or way of life may differ from the one I experienced in France. I am completely and utterly grateful for the time I had here and moreover I am grateful to the john speak trust who aided me along the way, it will surely have a long-lasting effect on my life.

  • Case Study: Dominic Marden: Mayo en Madrid, May 2023

    Hola a todos!

    El año pasado tuve la gran oportunidad de trabajar y vivir en España, sumergiéndome por completo en su vibrante cultura. Me gustaría escribir este estudio de caso explorando la fiesta de San Isidro que tuvo lugar el fin de semana del 13 de mayo, y destacando la valiosa experiencia adquirida durante la totalidad de mi tiempo en España, centrándome en el impacto significativo que tuvo en mis habilidades lingüísticas a través de los viajes nacionales, la convivencia con hablantes nativos, y la participación con una amplia gama de personas.

    Las fiestas de San Isidro en Madrid son una vibrante celebración que rinde homenaje al patrón de la ciudad, San Isidro Labrador. Estas fiestas, que se celebran anualmente, han evolucionado a lo largo de los años, mezclando tradiciones religiosas con festividades culturales. Lo que antaño era principalmente un acontecimiento religioso se ha transformado en un gran espectáculo de música, danza y gastronomía, que atrae tanto a lugareños como a turistas. La fiesta cuenta ahora con animados desfiles callejeros, en los que los participantes se visten con trajes tradicionales, tocan música tradicional y muestran el rico folclore de Madrid. Las calles cobran vida con vibrantes decoraciones, y los madrileños se deleitan con diversas delicias culinarias, como las emblemáticas rosquillas y el tradicional cocido madrileño. Durante toda la fiesta se bailan danzas tradicionales, como el chotis, y miles de personas se reúnen en las calles y parques. Pasé este fin de semana con amigos disfrutando de la música de los Jardines de las Vistillas, justo al lado de mi piso. Es evidente lo mucho que esta fiesta significa para los madrileños, que se reúnen para este momento tan importante. Las fiestas de San Isidro son un testimonio de la naturaleza dinámica de las tradiciones de Madrid, que sigue evolucionando y adaptándose al tiempo que preserva su arraigado patrimonio cultural.

    Uno de los aspectos más gratificantes de mi estancia en España fue la inmersión total en la cultura local. Al adoptar plenamente el estilo de vida español, comprendí en profundidad sus costumbres, tradiciones y normas sociales. Desde saborear deliciosas tapas en pequeños bares de barrio hasta presenciar cautivadores espectáculos de flamenco, experimenté de primera mano el rico tapiz de la cultura española. Escribir mis informes mensuales para el fideicomiso John Speak me ha permitido revivir las experiencias de cada mes a medida que pasan, y me ha asegurado sacar el máximo provecho de cada uno de los que están por venir.

    Vivir con hispanohablantes nativos resultó ser una experiencia transformadora que mejoró enormemente mis conocimientos lingüísticos. Compartir un hogar con personas de distintos orígenes que hablaban la misma lengua me permitió entablar conversaciones cotidianas y mejorar mi comprensión de expresiones coloquiales y frases idiomáticas. A través de interacciones informales en comidas y reuniones sociales, fui adquiriendo una confianza en mi español hablado que ya se notaba en mis escritos.

    Explorar varias regiones de España me expuso a diversos dialectos y acentos, lo que me proporcionó un amplio conocimiento de la lengua española. Ya fuera paseando por las anchas calles de Barcelona, maravillándome con las maravillas arquitectónicas de Madrid o deleitándome con la gastronomía de Andalucía, cada destino ofrecía matices lingüísticos distintos. Conversar con los lugareños en diferentes entornos reforzó aún más mi capacidad para adaptarme y comunicarme eficazmente en diversos contextos.

    Durante mi estancia en España, tuve el privilegio de conocer a gente de todas las profesiones y condiciones sociales. La interacción con diferentes grupos de edad, profesiones y entornos socioculturales amplió mi comprensión de la lengua tal y como se utiliza en diferentes contextos. Las conversaciones me permitieron desarrollar habilidades sociales en un segundo idioma, fomentando la sensibilidad cultural y promoviendo una visión holística de la sociedad española.

    Gracias a la inmersión total en la lengua española, mi dominio ha avanzado considerablemente. La exposición diaria al idioma, combinada con la participación activa en conversaciones, ha ampliado mi vocabulario, mejorado mi gramática y profundizado mi capacidad de comprensión. Como resultado, ahora me siento segura en conversaciones complejas y me expreso con fluidez en español.

    Trabajar y vivir en España durante un año ha sido una experiencia transformadora que me ha permitido sumergirme por completo en la cautivadora cultura española. La oportunidad de interactuar con hablantes nativos, explorar diversas regiones y relacionarme con un amplio abanico de personas no sólo ha enriquecido mi comprensión del idioma, sino que también me ha proporcionado un crecimiento personal inestimable. Los conocimientos lingüísticos adquiridos a través de esta experiencia de inmersión resultarán sin duda beneficiosos tanto en contextos personales como profesionales, solidificando mi conexión con la lengua y la cultura españolas en los años venideros. Me gustaría expresar mi absoluta gratitud a John Speak Trust por permitirme disfrutar de este hermoso país. La ayuda financiera de la beca me quitó la presión de encontrar un segundo trabajo, y permitió una experiencia enriquecedora durante todo el año.

    Como no volveré a escribir otro informe, espero que este mensaje final pueda inspirar a otros jóvenes profesionales a aprender un idioma. Las habilidades que se adquieren junto con el desarrollo lingüístico son clave para el crecimiento general, y crea oportunidades que abren muchas puertas para conocer a gente estupenda y encontrar otro mundo profesional.

    Buena suerte!

    Hello all!

    Over the past year, I have had the remarkable opportunity to work and live in Spain, immersing myself entirely within its vibrant culture. I would like to write this case study exploring the San Isidro festival taking place over the weekend of the 13th of May, and highlighting the invaluable experience gained during the entirity of my time in Spain, focusing on the significant impact it had on my language skills through domestic travel, living with native speakers, and engaging with a diverse range of people.

    The San Isidro festival in Madrid is a vibrant celebration that pays homage to the city’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Held annually, this festival has evolved over the years, blending religious traditions with cultural festivities. What was once primarily a religious event has transformed into a grand spectacle of music, dance, and gastronomy, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The festival now features lively street processions, where participants don traditional costumes, play traditional music, and showcase the rich folklore of Madrid. The streets come alive with vibrant decorations, and locals indulge in various culinary delights, such as the iconic rosquillas and traditional cocido madrileño. Throughout the festival, traditional dances like the chotis are performed, and thousands gather in the streets and parks. I spent this weekend with friends enjoying the music of the Jardines de las Vistillas, right next to my flat. It is very clear to see how much this festival means to the people of Madrid, as they come together for the momentous occasion. The San Isidro festival is a testament to the dynamic nature of Madrid’s traditions, as it continues to evolve and adapt while preserving its deep-rooted cultural heritage.

    One of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Spain was the complete immersion in the local culture. By fully embracing the Spanish way of life, I gained a deep understanding of their customs, traditions, and social norms. From savouring delectable tapas in small neighbourhood bars to witnessing captivating flamenco performances, I experienced first-hand the rich tapestry of Spanish culture. Writing my monthly reports for the John Speak trust has allowed me to relive the experiences of each month as they pass, and ensured that I make the most of each to come.

    Living with native Spanish speakers proved to be a transformative experience that greatly enhanced my language skills. Sharing a home with people of different backgrounds sharing a common language allowed me to engage in daily conversations, improving my understanding of colloquial expressions and idiomatic phrases. Through casual interactions over meals and social gatherings, I gradually developed confidence in my spoken Spanish that could already be seen in my writing.

    Exploring various regions within Spain exposed me to diverse dialects and accents, providing me with a comprehensive grasp of the Spanish language. Whether wandering through the wide streets of Barcelona, marvelling at the architectural wonders of Madrid, or indulging in the gastronomy of Andalusia, each destination offered distinct linguistic nuances. Conversing with locals in different settings further strengthened my ability to adapt and communicate effectively in various contexts.

    During my time in Spain, I had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life. Interacting with different age groups, professions, and socio-cultural backgrounds broadened my understanding of the language as it is used in different contexts. Conversations allowed me to develop social skills in a second language, fostering cultural sensitivity and promoting a holistic view of Spanish society.

    Through complete immersion in the Spanish language, my proficiency has made significant strides. Daily exposure to the language, combined with active engagement in conversations, expanded my vocabulary, enhanced my grammar, and deepened my comprehension skills. As a result, I now feel confident navigating complex discussions and expressing myself fluently in Spanish.

    Working and living in Spain for a year has been a transformative experience, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the captivating Spanish culture. The opportunity to interact with native speakers, explore diverse regions, and engage with a wide range of people has not only enriched my understanding of the language but also provided me with invaluable personal growth. The acquired language skills, acquired through this immersive experience, will undoubtedly prove beneficial in both personal and professional contexts, solidifying my connection with the Spanish language and culture for years to come. I would like to give my absolute gratitude to the John Speak Trust for allowing me to enjoy this beautiful country. The financial aid of the scholarship took away the pressure of finding a second job, and permitted an enriching experience throughout the year.

    As I will not be writing another report, I hope that this final message can inspire other young professionals to learn a language. The skills that are gained in conjunction with language development are key to overall growth, and it creates opportunities that open many doors to meet great people and find a career path.

    Good luck!

  • Case Study: Ella Williams – Morocco, 2022

    Spending the past six months in Morocco has been an incredible experience, and I’d like to thank the John Speak Trust for supporting me in my journey with learning Tachelhit.

    When I first decided to seriously dedicate myself to learning Tachelhit back in 2020, it wasn’t clear to me how I’d realistically be able to work towards fluency in an indigenous language that really requires you to be in the country, communicating daily with native speakers, in order to reach a level of fluency. I jumped in anyway and hoped that one day the opportunity would come to focus my time on learning Tachelhit.

    The John Speak Scholarship gave me that opportunity, and I feel really proud to be one of a handful of non-native speakers of this indigenous language that has been historically marginalised, despite the fact that variants of Amazigh languages are spoken by around 25 million people throughout North Africa.

    My time in Morocco has been full of adventures – I have attended weddings in remote villages, rode every kind of transport possible, watched Morocco make history in the World Cup, slept on rooftops in the middle of the Atlas Mountains and made countless people laugh as I try my best with difficult vocabulary and pronunciation.

              
    I’ll be staying in Morocco through the end of the summer (at least) to try and get my Tachelhit to fluency, but I’m also not ready to leave this country, the community that I have become a part of, and the life-long friendships that I have made throughout my John Speak experience.

     

  • Case Study: Shakeel Rahman – Amman, Jordan 2022

    The last three months of studying Arabic in Jordan have been incredible! It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Having the opportunity to practice Arabic with fellow students and Jordanians has been extremely invaluable.

    The progress that I have made in the space of a few months may have taken at least a year of studying part-time in the UK. Prior to Jordan, I had a limited understanding of the language, struggling to use my Arabic in practical settings.

    Now I can comfortably say that I am at an intermediate level. Not only do I have a reasonable grasp of the Arabic language, but I have also learnt much about the culture and the society of Jordan. The Jordanian people have offered nothing but friendliness and generosity.

    Here are a few lessons I have learnt along the way from my language-learning experience in Jordan:

    1. Confidence is a must (fake or real): The more confident I became speaking to strangers and friends in Arabic, the more opportunities I created for myself to improve my speaking and listening abilities. Naturally, the more advanced your language knowledge is, the more confident you will be. I found that I frequently underestimated my abilities and was constantly waiting to reach a higher level before I spoke to people. Eventually, I took the plunge and spoke to a stranger in Arabic. I was shocked at how much I was able to piece together. I started by faking a sense of confidence but in no time the nerves (for the most part) had left my body. Having a sense of child-like confidence allowed me to make huge leaps in my Arabic progress.
    2. Enjoying the process: Acquiring a language is a long game. This applies particularly to Arabic, being one of the most challenging hardest languages. When I first arrived in Jordan, I put a lot of pressure on myself to spend all my time studying and learning vocabulary and grammar. I wanted to make the most efficient use of my time. I soon realised that overstudying was counterproductive. Much of the learning process is subconscious and indirect. I learnt that taking full advantage of a travel abroad opportunity does not just mean studying. Even shopping for groceries in the market was helpful, allowing me to passively pick up phrases, whilst also tuning into pronunciation and tone.
    3. Having a strong motivation: learning a language is tough. Very tough. As sure as there are great days of progress, there will also be low days. On these tough days, It helps to remind yourself of what your long-term goals are. As well as my career, there have been guiding forms of motivation for me. Firstly, my desire to understand the Quran and secondly, to speak Arabic with my fiancé and her Jordanian family.

    Upon my return to the UK, I plan to continue my Arabic studies. The language is rich and complex, which provides many sophisticated uses but also means that full comprehension of Arabic takes a long time. My trip to Jordan is just the beginning of a long life of language acquisition. I am grateful to have had this huge jumpstart to my Arabic journey and to understand some of the fundamentals of grammar and also some of the key vocabulary.

    Without the support of the John Speak Trust scholarship, I would have struggled to go on this trip.

    Rather than worrying about securing part-time work, I was able to concentrate on studying, revising and most importantly, practising Arabic. Moreover, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to explore Jordan. From the Red Sea in the far South to the Dead sea in the West. I’ve been lucky enough to walk through the ancient ruins of Umm Qais and the magnificent Martian landscape of Wadi Ram. Overall, this has been an experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn Arabic.

  • Case Study: Monae Bailey, Spain – 2021/22

    During my year abroad, I spent the first semester studying in Alicante and the second semester doing an internship in Salamanca. Both of these experiences were incredible and allowed me to immerse myself in the Spanish lifestyle and meet a lot of different people while improving my knowledge of the language. It was also a very new experience for me, that was out of my comfort zone, but I got used to it and it was a great time.

    One thing I particularly enjoyed about my year abroad was the opportunities I had to explore different cities within Spain. As I spent my time in two different cities that were quite far from each other, this also allowed me to visit a wider variety of places and regions.

    Having this scholarship from John Speak helped me a lot throughout these months as it allowed me to make the most of every opportunity available to me and meant that I had less to worry about and more time to enjoy every aspect of life in Spain.

    I visited places such as Avila, Sevilla, Murcia, Segovia, Toledo, Barcelona and more. It was a great experience and I hope to return in the future in order to continue immersing myself in the culture and language and meet more people.

    My time abroad was important in encouraging me to grow personally as well as academically. This was the first time I had left the country alone, especially for such a long period of time and while it took some getting used to, it was definitely worth it. I found that the mix of studying and doing an internship was incredibly helpful as I had the chance to study along with other exchange students as well as Spanish students while I attended the University of Alicante, and I also had the chance to meet a lot of different students while I interned at a company that helped to facilitate the year abroad for many students. In the internship, I was able to speak to a lot more people daily and this helped immensely to improve my level of Spanish which was great. I found this time in Spain to be an enlightening experience and I would recommend a year abroad to anyone thinking about it as it had a very positive impact on me in many ways. It was especially important for me in enabling me to be more aware of the endless opportunities available to me, especially those abroad and it was fulfilling in many different ways. I cannot wait to return to Spain soon and continue to participate in the lifestyle and learn more about the culture.

     

    View from Castell Montjuic

  • Case Study: Julia Freytag, Berlin, Germany – 2022

    The John Speak Trust has provided with me with the opportunity to really improve my German. I have enjoyed living in Berlin so much, I have made wonderful friends and met people from all around the world (including this adorable little bear!)

    This is truly such a multicultural city, and I am so pleased that I was able to learn more about Germany, its capital and its history.

    I have also really enjoyed studying German in a structured way through my classes as I can directly practice what I have learned straight after my classes. Some of the highlights of my stay have been the museums and trips that I have made. Germany has some very beautiful places, just look at the picture of the Cathedral above, and I didn’t even scratch the surface of travelling in Germany as one can find fabulous walking routes, forests, castles, lakes, and restaurants in the rest of the country outside Berlin.

    Naturally, I should also mention the food – German food is absolutely delicious, and I strongly recommend that those visiting Germany try as many traditional foods as possible.

    I absolutely loved Potsdam and I think the people who live here are extremely lucky to stay in such a peaceful and idyllic place. The history of how the Germanic tribes unified into a singular ‘Germany’ is very interesting and not something I knew too much about before my visit, so I am happy that I spent a lot of time reading in German about this period in history. Without my improved German language skills, I wouldn’t have been able to understand as much and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to assimilate as much knowledge as I have.

    On a final note, and as my picture shows, it’s just a matter of time before I will return to Berlin.

    I am very grateful to John Speak Trust for giving me this opportunity and for being so helpful along the way. I can fully recommend this experience to everyone!

  • Case Study: Lucy Cooper, Le Mans, France 2022

     

    As part of my undergraduate degree in French and Spanish, I have spent the last six months working in Le Mans, France in order to improve my French language skills. During this time, I have taught English to ages 7-24, allowing me to gain a real insight into the French education system across all ages and abilities.

                                          

    Despite catching Covid-19 towards the end of January, I have had a fantastic time in France and my language skills have improved massively. I now dream in French! I have been able to visit many areas and monuments of France, such as Versailles, Brittany and many Châteaux in the Loire region of France. I’ve also been able to experience many of the culinary delights that the country has to offer. A highlight was appearing on the news on TF1 (the main TV channel in France) after watching a newly released film at the cinema!

    I’m very grateful for the financial support of the John Speak Trust as it has allowed me to fully make the most of my time in France. I’ve been able to visit different regions (such as Brittany) and experience many cultural aspects of the country. Not only my language skills have improved, but my confidence too.

    It’s fair to say that I’ve broadened my horizons from this experience, and I am extremely thankful for it. I hope to use my language skills to go into international business, hopefully with an international focus so that I can make the most of what I have learned during this experience!