KV Plus - Apprentices work in a different language region

I live with a host family consisting of two host parents, a dog, and two cats. I have my own room, which offers me plenty of space and comfort. My host family has welcomed me warmly, and their friendly, open manner has helped me feel at home right from the start.

I work at Kerry Motor Works, a Ford dealership. My tasks are very varied, and I particularly enjoy answering phone calls and greeting customers. From the very beginning, I was given a lot of trust, which motivated me greatly. I get on very well with my colleagues—they treat me like a real member of the team. We eat lunch together, talk a lot, and they always include me, which makes work very enjoyable and supportive.

In my free time, I take part in the Parkrun every Saturday, which has become a routine that I look forward to every week. During my stay, I have already been able to visit many beautiful places, including Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, and numerous beaches in the surrounding area. A particular highlight was the Rose of Tralee Festival, when the whole city comes alive with music, dancing, and celebrations.

What I particularly appreciate about Ireland is how friendly the people are. Whether at work, in shops, or on the street, everyone is open, warm, and always up for a chat. This warmth makes everyday life much easier and has helped me quickly feel at home far away from my homeland.

The past few months in Tralee have been marked by new experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I have learned a great deal both professionally and personally through the KV Plus program. I am grateful for everything I have experienced so far and look forward to what the remaining weeks will bring.

At the beginning of my stay, I attended an intensive language course at the language school in Wimbledon for two weeks. In addition to improving my English skills, I got to know many international people. The course helped me a lot to find my way around everyday life more quickly. Now I attend school twice a week to prepare for my Cambridge Certificate.

I am staying with a single woman in Wimbledon. At first, I was a little wary of English cuisine, as you hear that it isn't very tasty. However, I am very lucky: my host mother is half Italian and is an excellent cook. She has also already shown me a lot about English culture, and as well as English, I am even learning a few Italian words. 😊

On weekends, I usually spend time in London. Every now and then, my new friends from French-speaking Switzerland join me. I think London is a great city. I'm fascinated by its unique mix of old and new, its many different neighborhoods, and its royal history. I particularly like the large parks in the middle of the city, which give me a taste of the countryside and remind me of Switzerland. I find it very exciting to get to know such a big city better and better. When I'm not in London, I like to keep active.

My first day at Schindler UK is now a thing of the past. I was assigned a position in the finance department in the fleet management division, which is completely new to me. The team gave me a very warm welcome, integrated me well, and supports me wherever I still need help. I quickly felt like part of the team. The working methods, work ethic, processes, and even the office are different from what I was used to in Switzerland. However, I find these differences very exciting, as I can gain a lot of experience from them. At the end of the day, we all work for the same company and pursue a common goal—I think that's wonderful. I am very grateful for this opportunity and this valuable experience. I particularly appreciate the well-known and very popular coffee breaks here. They offer a valuable opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas, laugh together, and use and improve my English in conversation with native speakers.

The time I spend largely on my own is a very valuable experience for me. I have learned to be independent, to take responsibility, and to deal with ups and downs. This stay is helping me not only professionally, but also personally, and allowing me to grow beyond myself. I will take all these new impressions and experiences with me into the future.

So a huge thank you to Schindler UK, Schindler Vocational Training, Movetia, and KV-Luzern for making this adventure possible for me.

During my stay, I am living with a very warm and wonderful host family. We spend a lot of time together on the weekends. We often go hiking, climbing, visit small villages, discover beautiful places, cook, and enjoy our time together and good conversations. My favorite place is Evolène, a beautiful mountain village with traditional chalets that, for me, embodies the real Valais. From there, we went on a great hike on Glacier 3000, where the three cantons of Bern, Vaud, and Valais meet.

I speak almost exclusively French in everyday life. Every now and then I still need a translation – that's how I'm learning a little bit of Valais German. At first, communication was a bit of a challenge, but I can feel myself becoming more confident every day. I understand more and more, am learning new expressions, and can now hold a conversation quite well. That motivates me to keep learning.

Schindler has enabled me to complete this language stay internally. At Schindler Sion, I am gaining lots of new experiences. It is exciting to get to know a smaller office where a different language is spoken. I am gaining insights into the repair business as well as the EI and MOD divisions, which are organized very differently from Schindler in Lucerne. Learning about these differences and discovering new things is very instructive and broadens my horizons enormously, and I also enjoy it very much. The pleasant working atmosphere, the employees, and the new tasks in Sion make every working day a valuable and positive experience.

I am really enjoying my life here in Valais. The impressive landscape, the warm-hearted people, and the language make this stay something very special. I am not only learning French, but also a lot about myself, about living together, and about another culture in Switzerland. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has made this valuable experience possible for me. I will always have fond memories of this time.

See you soon and sunny greetings from Valais!
Lia