My practical training in London at the company 'Birse Metro'

London – the capital of Great Britain is one of the biggest cities in the world.

From 22nd March 2010 to 16th April 2010 I had the chance to do my workplacement experience at the company 'Birse Metro' in London. This is a Civil Engineering company, which offers a range of construction related services to customers on the London Underground Network and other transport related clients. They are specialising in the construction of underground-tunnels. One huge project of Birse Metro is called 'Dalston Western Curve'.

Furthermore, always one branch office is close to the construction site. In this office, called the site office, I did my practical training. When this project is finished, the company will move to the next site and establish a new office there. During these 4 weeks in London, I learned a lot of things. Mostly, I wrote some bills together with an employee of Birse Metro and then I had to put these bills into the right folder. Most of the time, I worked with the Office program Excel. This was very helpful, because I could improve my Excel knowledge acquired at school.

Sometimes, I was outside and I could go to the big underground-tunnel construction site. It was interesting to see, how to build an underground-tunnel, because I had never seen this before. Moreover, I was allowed to take part in many meetings which was very good to improve my English knowledge.

My personnel view about the time in London is, that it was a very good experience to work in a foreign country and it was a many-sided practical training. On the one hand, I improved skills I had learned at school and on the other hand I got to know the day-today working-life in another country. It was a lot of fun to work in this company and my colleagues were very friendly.

At the end of these 4 weeks, I was sad, that I had to go home, because it was a really beautiful time in London. If I get the chance again, to work in another country, I will do it again.

Lena Goddek, FA14