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Amy Wells ‘Your Story’ Competition entry COMPETITION WINNER |
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“I’ve personally believed that there has always been more than one way to fulfil your achievements, be successful and develop a career – some people go to university, some people just end up in the right places at the right times and some other people have the drive to push through anything that comes their way, knowing the right places to look and learning on the way” says one of our excellent participants Amy Wells.
Amy completed a two-week work-shadowing placement at Dub Digital Audio studio in La Coruna, Spain in September 2011. She tested herself by recording sound bites and songs, as well as playing various musical instruments.
To record the details of her experience day by day in Spain, Amy created her own blog and continued to update it throughout her stay. Having been so inspired by her placement, she also entered the ‘Your Story’ competition.
The competition was run by the British Council and Ecorys for all participants who completed training under the various strands of the Lifelong Learning Programme.
Applicants used words, photographs or films to express how their placements had inspired them. Amy chose to write an essay and was invited to the award ceremony in London to accept her prize.
Read more of Amy’s blog at: www.diaryofaleonardogroup.blogspot.com
You too can be a success by simply applying for one of Gecko’s EU-funded programmes and fully experiencing its benefits. To enquire about this, please email [email protected]
Amy’s Story
I've personally believed that there has always been more than one way to for fill your achievements, be successful and develop a career - some people go to university, some people just end up in the right places at the right times and some other people have the thrive to push through anything that comes their way, knowing the right places to look and learning on the way.
The Leonardo Programme has pushed me further to do just that.
In September 2011 I discovered myself writing a blog properly for the first time going through my day-to-day experiences in Spain so that I was able to tell my story on day-to-day updates and sending them out to friends, family and Gecko Programmes, back in Wolverhampton. I may not particularly be a writer, in fact I studied film and television for three years in college so the furthest I have gone to writing was mainly essays.
When I was about to come to the end of studying at college, all I was hearing from people was to go to university, so I made my way onto UCAS, everyone was going to Aberystwyth and I love it there the university would have been perfect for me in all aspects, they accepted me straight away, but then I realised that the only reason I had wanted to go to university was to get away from home, learn to be more independent in myself and to show my family and friends that I am able to do anything that I put my mind to.
After a long winded 9 months on JSA I found myself as a future jobs fund employee (this unfortunately now no longer exists) for six months as a media production assistant for Mediacove Productions, who are based in Wolverhampton College - this was perfect for me, exactly what I had wanted to do, it was in the right field and I was able to use this as an open window towards my creative arts career path, you can only but imagine how thrilled I was!
I had got onto a Leonardo Programme to La Curuna Spain whilst working at Mediacove, I loved the idea of going to Spain again after previously being in Bilbao a year or so ago on a college trip, not only for the placement but to really discover the culture and the environment properly as I only had chance to be in Spain for a few days previously whilst in Bilbao.
I never thought I would be sitting on a plane, rocketing up and realising that there is no turning back now, my ears are popping, this is defiantly that moment in time where you know something is going to happen that could change your life skills or even your career path. After all, I am just an average girl attempting to do her best and thriving to achieve in my field of interest.
Whilst in Spain I had been work shadowing in a recording studio, most of the work had been recordings for radio advertisements but at some stage I was able to record my own single track playing guitar and singing, I really enjoyed the freedom to be able to do this as people may not ever get chance to.
Each day in Spain had been different, I had tried to not only come together with the group but to experience my new surroundings independently, you have to get a little lost to find the best places. I had started to get to know some of the locals, a lot of people speak more English than you might have thought. I have noticed now that taking my time and listening to people properly is very important, particularly when they may not speak your language.
I cannot believe how much I had done and the places I had visited in the matter of a few weeks, I even went into Picasso’s house! I love the environment and good balance in Spain from gorgeous views to small boutique shops, tapas bars everywhere, stunning beaches, the weather, the people and even going to see a football match – which isn’t even my thing, in fact I don’t even like football but I really enjoyed it.
Since coming back to the UK from La Coruna, I have noticed how much more confident I feel within myself and my independence to go out and do something without having to think too hard, knowing that if I come across something I would like to do then I am able to jump for the chance as you never know where it could take you.
I've personally believed that there has always been more than one way to for fill your achievements, be successful and develop a career - some people go to university, some people just end up in the right places at the right times and some other people have the thrive to push through anything that comes their way, knowing the right places to look and learning on the way.
diaryofaleonardogroup.blogspot.com
