Haltern am See, 16th February 2020. After its fifth annual report the Elena Bless Foundation can by now look back at more than 100 work placements abroad. Solely in the year 2019 work placements abroad of 32 pupils were supported. In the year 2019 the sum of scholarships amounted to 10216 euros. Moreover, exchange projects of the twin schools were again supported in the amount of 5219.42 euros. For further information an abstract of the progress and the financial report 2019 is available for download (https://elena-bless-stiftung.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Kurzfassung-Tätigkeitsbericht-Elena-Bleß-Stiftung-2019. pdf).

Lille, 16^th December 2019. In her report on her work placement Emily enthusiastically tells about her diversified daily routine in the social centre in the northern French city of Lille. As “in Germany there are no institutions comparable to a French social centre”, Emily was very curious to get to know how such a centre works. “Every day in the social centre looked different to me”. In her four-weeks work placement she took care of the online appearance of the centre in the office, for example, or she prepared a language course with a teacher, which was to take place in the afternoon. In conclusion, Emily writes, “as no day looked like the other, I learned a surprising number of things. And there is something else I definitely can assert about myself, namely that I know at first hand how a French social centre works: a unique system based on charity”.

B’Kara (Malta), 14th December 2019. In her two-weeks work placement in the Adidas store in Malta Renée performed all the usual tasks of a shop assistant for sports and leisure wear: advising customers, fetching shoes of suitable sizes, cleaning up and folding of clothes, etc. As in Malta the English language is spoken as second language, Renée could communicate without difficulty with the other employees and the customers in this language. Thus in her report she comes to the conclusion, “Thereby my language has improved and I have learned some technical terms. I also liked the work very much and it was great fun.”

Exeter, 24th November 2019. Frédéric looks back very happily at his three-weeks work placement in the biggest boulder hall in the south west of England. At this exciting location of his work placement with its 7 to 15 metres high climbing walls Frédéric was always very busy. Among others, his tasks included supporting the trainers’ team, assisting with climbing, serving cold and hot drinks, keeping tidy the area of the café, and refilling dishes and food supplies regularly. Frédéric reports  that by this work placement he got valuable insights into working life and found new friends. Along the way, he also learned speaking English more fluently. Moreover, in his free time he could get to know the neighbourhood with his very nice host family.