Work experience in Suzanne's by Adrienn Ardai

I work in Suzanne’s, a little souvenir shop on the sea front. First I wasn’t satisfied with this job, because I wanted to work in a pub or something like that. But now I love this place. Marilyn and Sally, the ladies who I work with are really kind and lovely women. They are patient and always help me when I’m in trouble. The first week was very, very quiet and boring, because there was just a few costumers. This week was busier, fortunately, because this week is half-term break. In autumn souvenir shops are not so busy, these are more a summer enterprises. Marilyn told me, in the summer it is very, very busy; once there were about 70 students inside. I enjoy serving the costumers. I learn many, many new thing about people, money, company and of course my English evolves. I learnt how to use the cash register and serve people. First it was complicated for me, but I learned it soon. Beside this, I have to be kind with people (even if they are rude), ask questions from them (e.g. Would you like a bag? etc.); sometimes I have to clean or tidy. It is not so tiring, I think this is the best for me. Next week I’m going to work in KSE, because Suzanne’s will close in winter.

Work experience in Marks&Spencer by Sándor Noémi, Sághy Enikő

"I am working in Marks and Spencer. It has a food section and clothes section. I think this shop is for everyone, but I see mostly elder people, and moms with their children. My colleagues are friendly, and helpful, because every time I ask something from them, they help me. On the first day I was working at the Christmas decorations, and I had to organize and tidy the shelves. I was at women's clothing for a long time. I had to sizetidy the clothes a lot, I had to do piping, which is to put the correct number to the hanger. I had to do clearing, what is to put the clothes to the right places. I had to do cleaning. I really enjoy working here."

"I worked at Marks & Spencer for 3 weeks. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was good but sometimes a little bit boring, when they couldn't give us job. Actually I did the same everyday. It was very good when I could talk to my workmates because it helped to my English. We had an hour lunch break between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. So what did I do: Size tiding the clothes and the shoes, helped in the Fitting Room, took out the clothes from the fitting room and took back their places and took out some new clothes, bags or shoes from the storage. Overall it was a good work experience for me in another country."

Work experience in Churchill Tavern by Bettina Harsányi

I work at Churchill Tavern which is a seafront pub and restaurant situated in the heart of Ramsgate. To be honest, I was a bit anxious yet excited when I got to know my work placement but now I know all the worrying was for nothing since I enjoy every moment of my job. The staff, including the manager as well, has been very friendly and helpful since the beginning, moreover, the customers are also kind and understandable towards me. In the beginning, I was afraid people would have difficulties to understand me and/or the other way around but surprisingly, as I got used to how things work and people's accents (there's a college near by therefore a lot of students come in at lunchtime whose mother tongue isn't English so to be fair it was more difficult for me to understand them than the British) everything seems to be easier. What I find really rewarding and a bit funny is that when I talk with customers and at some point they realise I'm not British, they get surprised and compliment on my English. Also, I love chatting with regulars and how open-minded and eager to get to know me. The same goes for me, too, because listening to their stories is amazing. Moving on to the serious part, my duties include basically everything a waitress could deal with at a pub such as serving customers, bringing food out, clearing tables, polishing glasses and the cutlery, tapping ales and beer, handling the till and so on. In conclusion, I feel extremely lucky working here in such a fantastic atmosphere and I couldn't be more delighted. I swear, I wake up with a smile on my face in the mornings since I don't mind going to work at all. I do hope, I'll find a job as enjoyable as this one in the future, too.