MOST students in search of work experience join their parents at their place of work or go to a local firm not too far from home.

But this wasn't enough for German student Simone Dignath who has left her home near Blackpool's twin town of Bottrop to take up a five-week stint in the resort.

Her visit was made possible thanks to the links between the two towns.

The 22-year-old was found a host family by Blackpool-based Friends of Bottrop and members of the Blackpool Civic Trust and now two days a week she assists engineers in Blackpool's technical services department.

Part of her work experience has involved technical drawings for the new sea defences at South Shore, work which Simone has enjoyed as she was an architect's apprentice before arriving in Blackpool and took exams to qualify as a draftsman.

She now hopes to study constructural engineering and English at the University of Essen when she returns to Germany on September 7 and hopes to eventually become a technical college teacher.

Simone said: "I wanted to stay in Britain for several weeks so I could improve my English, but I didn't just want a holiday in Blackpool.

"I wanted the chance to gain some experiences in institutions or companies and I have found my time here to be very interesting and helpful."

And Simone's visit has gone down well at the town hall where she is currently based.

Town twinning officer Aat Karel said: "This experience has been of great benefit to Simone and town hall staff have enjoyed sharing her knowledge and culture."

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