Julia Dorgelo, 24 years old from Bamberg
My Work Experience in Bedford
I stayed in Bedford for a Work Experience for 4 weeks at the Bedford Borough
Council.
It was my first time in the UK so I was quite excited when I got here. Bedford
is a very nice city with a nice pedestrian area, nice shops, the river just nearby
and a lot of leisure facilities. Just the weather and the left-hand traffic needed
acclimatisation ☺
Within my work experience in the Town Hall I got impressions in several
offices. I translated papers for the State Garden Show in my hometown
Bamberg, did researches on the internet, arranged meetings and typed
meeting notes while working in the twinning office. In the licensing office I
typed several information spreadsheets to get an overview of the different taxi
licenses and archived expired files. I also got a quick impression of the
Council Archives another day. I took part in a holiday program for children one
afternoon, organised by the Ranger Service of the Council. I went there with
the two other students that also fulfil their work experience here, Elvira and
Matteo from Rovigo (Italy). We played with the kids, shaped clay sculptures
and tinkered flowers out of paperboard.
Besides the work at the Town Hall, I had the opportunity to explore the
surrounding area of Bedford together with the Italians.
The first week we visited the Woburn Safari Park with one of the hosts of the
Italians and stopped at a huge shopping centre in Milton Keynes on our way
back to Bedford.
The first weekend we went to London for a Sightseeing tour. We visited
Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey,
Harrods, London Tower and Tower Bridge. Enrico, another Italian guy who is
working at the Bedford Museum and stayed at the same host family like me,
joined us.
The following week the twinning office organised a trip to Palmer Sport, an
Autodome and Racing Car Track in Thurleigh. We had the chance to ride with
one of the Racing Cars and even if we were scared the first seconds the car
accelerated from 0 – 145 miles/hr, it was a unique event.
Everybody decided to get back there some day if we want to increase our
adrenaline level☺
The same week on Saturday we went to Cambridge by bus. We visited the
Kings College and the chapel, went though one of the College parks and the
pedestrian area.
Sunday was, like the week before, just a relaxing day.
Within the third week we went to Brighton for one day. It was the first time so
far that the weather forecast was true. It was a lovely sunny day and we had a
lot of fun touring the Royal Pavilion, the Pier, the beach and the Lanes.
On the weekend I just went to a Pub on Saturday evening, tried the typical
English breakfast with 2000 kcal ☺ and visited the Bedford Park on Sunday
with Enrico.
The last week in Bedford I went to the Mowsbury golf course with Matteo to hit
a few balls. I must admit, it is not my type of sport.
The week ended with a last trip to a Clay Pigeon Shouting, organised by the
Bedford Borough Council.
If I review the last 4 weeks I really had a lot of fun in Bedford. My host family
was very nice and the accommodation was perfect. I got along with everybody
very well, my colleagues in the Town Hall as well as the other Italian students.
Rose, the woman in charge of our twinning exchange, was very nice and
every time one of us had a problem she was pleased to help us.
I also enjoyed the trips within our time here and I think it was a good
experience not only to work fulltime but also get the chance to explore the
area around Bedford.