Sixth-Former Mital Dodhia enjoyed the opportunity to carry out work experience at a newspaper whilst on the Aachen exchange. Mital spent his time shadowing a sports reporter on the regional paper, the Aachener Zeitung. Mital even managed to feature in an article in the newspaper; it discusses his learning German, his time in Aachen and how he’s enjoyed the experience so much that he doesn’t want to go home!
Mital, who is in Year 13 and studying German at A-level, also helped in the media centre at the CHIO Aachen International Horse Show.
“Regional newspapers are widely read in Germany, where there are fewer national titles than in the UK, so this was work experience of the highest calibre for Mital,” said Burgunde Lukasser, Assistant Head of Languages, who organised the exchange.
During Mital’s 10-day placement he was interviewed by the journalist he was shadowing. Mital told him how well he thought he had come to understand the people of Aachen and how saddened he would be to have to return to London. When asked what he hoped to do in the future, Mital said he wasn’t sure, but might pursue a career in journalism or possibly music, as he composes and plays a number of instruments.
“It is very pleasing that Mital’s experience of his work placement was so positive,” said QE Headmaster, Neil Enright. “Our work experience programme provides students with many valuable placements and there’s no doubt Mital enjoyed a genuine insight into the world of journalism at a prestigious regional newspaper.”
Other A-level German students completed placements in a variety of professions, including medicine, law, theatre and local radio.
It is the second time that Mital has visited Germany with the School; three years ago he took part in the exchange with QE’s partner School, the Friedrich von Bodelschwingh Gymnasium in Bielefeld. The Aachen work experience exchange has been running for more than 10 years; each year German pupils come to Barnet in April and stay with QE families, whilst the QE boys take part in the return leg in the summer.