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WORK EXPERIENCE FEEDBACK

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Andy Pierce

Andrew Pierce
Journalism Work Experience placement

Hi!
After the first few days they start to give you work to do. Had all 3 articles published to date with some more in press. I've been to press conferences for the Indoor World Cup [cricket] and met the Sri Lankan Captain and the England team and management.

Interviewed an actress and a really sweet lady writing a book about her son who was an artist who died young. She sent me a card the day the article was published thanking me for the way I had presented the story, which was just the most amazing gesture.

Roshan [Travellers Sri Lanka Manager]  has been a legend, really friendly and helpful whenever he is needed and the house boys seem to have taken me as one of their own. May be due to the amount of time we spend on cricket.

I have achieved all that I had set out to do here.  I have had articles published concerning many different topics, including sports, art, education and environmental issues and have also started writing for the children’s magazine.

I did expect to need more time here to succeed at the Daily Mirror, but caught my break with the Indoor Cricket World Cup being staged during my second week here.  I think that is the key, do well early and then its much easier as they trust you to do a good job. 

I would like to thank you very much for all your help in sorting out what has been a great experience for me, professionally and personally. 

I have met some great people and seen some amazing things.  Thank you once again for everything.

Sally Campbell
Journalism Work Experience placement in Sri Lanka

Sally Campbell

Dear Letty

First things first: sorry I've left this so long but the reason is of course good: I've been so busy! Not only that, it doesn't look so good to be emailing in the office when I should be working away like a good Louis Lane. 

This placement is what you make it. I think that is an important thing to stress to anyone coming out here. If you sit around waiting for something to happen - funnily enough, it won't. Working at the Daily Mirror is a lesson in putting yourself forward - if you come not knowing how to do this and (crucially) if you want to achieve anything - you sure as hell will know how to by the time you leave!

In the office it is frenetic and quiet, frustrating and satisfying, welcoming and intimidating (on your first day at least). You go full circle but nothing quite rivals seeing an article you have put a lot of work into there in print.

I’ve had 6 or 7 published so far, and 2 possibly this week, so averaging 2 a week. And I've been speaking to island and daily news reps about doing some freelance for them pretty soon.

So it is all very exciting and pleasing. I think I remember you saying- the opportunities are all there?!

The house bustles with people and is fun! I usually work late and am not back till 9pm sometimes. We’ve been to so many places in only 5 weekends - Sri Lanka is a really accessible place. And Roshan...what can you say - you couldn't ask for a more generous, hospitable or cheeky coordinator. It's all good, as my friends back home say - so thank you Travellers for making all this possible and for giving all the advice I needed when I was in the tentative, nervous planning stage!

In terms of travelling after the placement, there are so many options of places to go and people to go with...I'm what they call spoilt for choice! You can tell that to anyone coming out here - they will not want to go home!

The Buddhist retreat was paradise - thanks for the recommendation - it filtered down through all the volunteers - had a magical weekend there and my goodness, the train ride to Nuwara Eliya...

So thanks so much again, take care and speak to you soon. All the best
Sally

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