So before reading this post make sure you check out parts 1 and 2 of my Denmark trilogy entitled My placement and Downtime. This post is just going to summarise my trip and hopefully urge Level 3 chefs to apply for this opportunity.
Imagine me in April 2016, a Yr 11 student at Aldridge School, Walsall, studying for my GCSEs. The next thing I know after wanting to pick A-levels in Law, Economics, Government and Policy and Food Technology is that two of the four were cancelled which just left me in blind panic. It was through this weirdly productive blind panic I ended up at a UCB open day where Chef Davidson showed me around the facilities. I remember passing a student in the corridor and chef stopping the tour to introduce us to her saying she had taken her to Denmark that year as part of a UCB trip. They laughed and joked then said goodbye and carried on the tour. At that point my mum nudged me and said ‘that could be you in Denmark in a few years’ and I laughed and shook my head.
So skip to me in November 2017, the applications had now opened for that same Denmark trip and I was trying to nervously write an expression of interest for that very same trip. Desperate for the opportunity I rephrased, rewrote and re-read my application countless times trying not to sound too boastful, too humble, too shy or too anything really.
On to January 2018 when I was ecstatic to receive news that I had secured an interview for the Leonardo Denmark or France trip. The upcoming days were nerve-wracking as I did practice interviews and tried to think of every question I could get asked (none of which helped because they ask very un-expected questions!) I selected my interview outfit – very important I think – plum-coloured trousers and a lace shirt. The interview went well but I think they could tell I was nervous throughout; at least nice I was looking at friendly faces willing me to do well.
So on the 31st January 2018 during a kitchen and larder class (apologies for not really listening in this class since I was checking my emails every 30 seconds) we started receiving the emails telling us if we had been selected to go to Denmark or France. I have never been so nervous. But I received my email telling me I was going to Denmark (where I’d actually wanted to go all along) so for the duration of this class I texted my family the good news and my excitement (sorry again chef!).
Now in August 2018 I am writing a blog post all about how much I enjoyed the experience and how worthwhile I think it is for chef and bakery students to apply.
All I’m trying to illustrate through that timeline is that two years ago I would never have comprehended being chosen to go on an all paid for three week placement abroad. Back in 2016 I don’t think I would have expected I could have learned to use a knife or cook anything but I did. So one of the things I gained from this trip is it really started to show me how far I’ve come in two years.
This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity, financially never in a million years is anyone ever going to pay for me to go to somewhere like Denmark for three weeks, food and accommodation all covered. It’s a bit of a rare opportunity.
Secondly, working abroad is often what attracts a lot of chef’s to the industry and even though it’s always been a dream of mine, the idea is very different to the reality. Getting to do a mini taster really gave me an appetite for this type of work. Instead of making me homesick or scared it just made me want to see more of the world, experience different cultures and work with more talented chefs.
Another thing I also found amazing on thetrip was the idea that hard work really does pay off. Everyone on the trip had worked hard at college over the previous two years and being chosen for the trip really does make it all worth it.
Anyway, thank you for letting me tell you about my Denmark trip and I hope prospective and current students see what UCB has to offer with a little hard work. You can also check out my post about opportunities at UCB as well to see what UCB offers a little closer to home.
Also make sure you’ve checked out parts 1 and 2 of this blog trilogy!
If you’ve got any questions or comments please comment below or follow, tweet or Instagram the bloggers at @UCBloggers!
R.B
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress
or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally
confused .. Any ideas? Appreciate it! http://afspraakjes.be/clickout/?url=http://www.mbet88vn.com
Thank you so much! A massive tip would be to join twitter! There are plenty of bloggers willing to help, follow us at @UCBloggers and i’m happy to help! Also wordpress is really great, i’ve used it personally and with the university and lots of other bloggers use it but ask around and do some research!
I’ve learn several good stuff here. Definitely worth
bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you set to make this type of great informative web site. http://palomnik63.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=&event2=&event3=&goto=http://www.mbet88vn.com
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
Very useful information particularly the last part
🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck. http://igakubu-navi.com/redir.php?u=http://www.mbet88vn.com
Thank you so much for reading my posts! Make sure you check out Denmark part 1&2 as well! Thank you
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks http://Www.pageglance.com/external/ext.aspx?url=http://www.mbet88vn.com
No problem, that would be brilliant! Thank you so much for reading.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and
come with almost all significant infos. I’d like to peer more posts like
this . http://cado789.com
My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page again. http://cado789.com
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Spending some time and actual effort
to produce a top notch article? but what can I say?
I hesitate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything
done. http://www.btc897.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=32033&do=profile&from=space
Hi, after reading this amazing article i am also happy
to share my experience here with mates.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve
put in writing this website. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own site now
😉
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write
in relation to here. Again, awesome web site!
Hello I am so thrilled I found your site, I really found you
by mistake, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here
now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
have time to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
do keep up the excellent work.
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one
is getting more from this web site, and your views are nice designed
for new users.
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would
really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your
work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
I’m amazed, Ӏ muust say. Seldom do Ӏ encounter a blog that’s Ƅoth educative аnd interestіng, and lеt me terll you,
үou hɑve hit thе nail oon thе head. The issue is
an issue tһat toⲟ few people are speaking intelligently ɑbout.
I’m νery happy that I came аcross this іn my hunt for something regardinbg tһis.
I’m very pleased to discover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time
for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every
bit of it and I have you book marked to look
at new stuff on your blog.
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you
just shared this useful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
This is very fascinating, You are a very professional blogger.
I have joined your feed and look ahead to in quest
of extra of your excellent post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post!
It is the little changes that will make the largest changes.
Many thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing such a pleasant thought, paragraph is nice,
thats why i have read it completely
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and
I am inspired! Very helpful information specifically the remaining phase 🙂 I take
care of such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Hey very interesting blog!
It’s awesome to go to see this site and reading the views of all mates on the topic of this post, while I am also
eager of getting know-how.
Hello Dear, are you really visiting this website daily, if
so afterward you will without doubt get good know-how.
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Hey there excellent blog! Does running a blog similar to
this take a lot of work? I’ve very little knowledge of coding however I was hoping to start my
own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any recommendations or techniques
for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I
simply needed to ask. Cheers!
Hello, its fastidious article regarding media print, we all be familiar with media is
a wonderful source of information.
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great article on our website.
Keep up the good writing.
I got what you intend,saved to my bookmarks, very nice web site.
I simply could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the
standard information an individual provide to your guests?
Is gonna be again continuously in order to check out new posts.
I really love your site.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you develop this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my very own blog and would love to
know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called.
Thank you!
Hello. remarkable job. I did not imagine this. This is a fantastic story.
Thanks!
I all the time emailed this web site post page to all my friends,
because if like to read it then my friends will too.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert
that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you
access consistently quickly.
Your way of describing everything in this article is really nice,
all be able to simply be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
Thankfulness to my father who informed me about this blog,
this blog is actually remarkable.
What’s up, its pleasant paragraph about media print, we all be aware of media is a fantastic source
of information.
I like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test once more rigut
here frequently. I’m somewhat certain I’ll be told
lots of new stuff proper right here! Goodd luck for the following!
Excellent way of describing, and nice article to get information about my presentation subject, which i am going to present in institution of
higher education.
Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject.
Basically Wonderful. I’m also a specialist in this topic so I
can understand your hard work.
Hello. impressive job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story.
Thanks!
What’s up, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new
initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You
have done a outstanding job!
There’s certainly a lot to find out about this topic. I love all
of the points you have made.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,
you may be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back later in life.
I want to encourage that you continue your great writing,
have a nice evening!
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the great spirit.