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ESL Students

Leticia Cruz, Mexico

Accounting - Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When you feel you have learned English because you may speak, listen, write and understand more than your classmates, or because you may have reached the last level at Connect ESL Academy, let me tell you something. That feeling is not enough.

You are not in front of the real world yet. I am not saying that to be at the last course is not great, instead of that, as an ESL student you must feel very proud, because to get there is huge step and that is something to celebrate.

My experience at the Metro Toronto Convention Center was fabulous. If you have worked in a company back home, you will find that the work environment is similar as your last job, however, the terms and the way of communication is in English.

If you really want to experience and enjoy another side of Canada’s living, you may think about to do an internship. An internship is the opportunity to still improve a tool you have been studying for many time in a work environment. In an internship there will not be a teacher who can check your grammar or answer any question such as did I say right?, But there will be people who may, not teach you, but try to explain to you how to say it better.

I can assure you that there would be opportunities to shy as a professional; however, you are not going to have a position to make important decisions or to change the way how the company manages its services or products. You will be at the company to help in any task you can do, according to your abilities, and it is a good opportunity to challenge yourself by trying to apply your speaking, listening and writing.

I worked next to people from Jamaica, India, Philippines and Canada. They made the work environment friendly and confident, and I can say that I have more friends who I can still e-mail.

I really felt good by working here. And I always will remember this experience. So, I invite you to take this new challenge. You will see that do an internship in a company, is something that is worth doing.

 

Maria Elena Henandez, Mexico

Sales & Marketing - Rogers Cable


I worked at the Sales Department of Rogers Cable. The first week they gave me an orientation to show me the way they work in the company. I spent some time with the people in the sales department, the calls centre (which include 3 different areas) and with the technicians who provide the service in the customer’s house. All these activities gave me the opportunity to know more about the company so that I could give ideas based on their activities.

After this, they assigned me a specific project, ‘Refer-a-Friend’ in which I could work. It consisted of developing a motivational campaign directed to the recently won back customers (7000, nationally), to encourage them to convince their friends to switch back to cable - customers who used to be cable, then switched to satellite – with special offers for both the friend and referral customer.

Three tactics were used in this program: direct mail, telemarketing and the website. Expected sales were 100 customers back to cable and program duration to be 6 weeks.

To develop this I was in contact with the Marketing Manager and the Competitive Defense Manager. They have all the expertise regarding these kind of activities and advised me in the way I should work.

Besides working with people within the company, I worked with an external Marketing & Communications agency as well. They developed and mailed the direct mail piece to the customer’s house. Once delivered, the customers will be contacted by the telemarketing group to obtain leads and identify interest.

My internship lasted 12 weeks and I could say it was very interesting and granted me the opportunity to learn a lot, not only about marketing but a different kind of English, as well as a business environment. This was a rewarding experience that will be very important in my future professional experience.

Anna Tubina, Russia


Audit Department, Global Banking - Royal Bank of Canada

I want to thank you once again for finding a great opportunity for me, and for your support during my being there.

My interest lied in the fields of economics & finance. Given the circumstances, I believe I was really lucky to get the position in the Audit Department, Global Banking, The Royal Bank of Canada. It is worth mentioning that it was a time when local students were eager to find internships also.

During the 8 weeks of the internship, I carried out two main groups of responsibilities. First one was connected with the new computer-based client management system within the centre. Working under the guidance of my supervisor I had to analyze statistical data to find some discrepancies within the system activity, create Excel spreadsheet reports, talk to different people of the other departments trying to find out how the work of the system can be improved.

The other part of my activity was connected with the creating of process maps describing certain business processes taking part with the departments or between them. This involved gathering the information, making the first draft, discussing it with my supervisor and correcting inaccuracies.

Apart from this I was given the opportunity to play an active role in recruitment process of other internship students. I took part in the analyzing and resumes, creating the questionnaire for an interview and finally talking to the candidates. I really appreciate that my supervisors gave me a chance to be involved in the interviewing process as it was fascinating, though provoking and useful.

I really believe that it’s hard to overestimate the experience I obtained while working in The Royal Bank. Apart from being useful from the professional point of view it gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people, to face with challenging situations, to open new sides of my personality. To my opinion being involved in this kind of internship program is one of the best choices for international students. It gives the opportunity to practice their language skills, to get used to the business environment of the foreign country, to understand and develop their own abilities and skills.

Fabio Lemos - Brazil


Investments Trading - Leon Fraser Associates

I went to Canada to improve my English and, after seven months of ESL course, I had my best experience abroad - my internship program in an Asset Management company.

This program experience was wonderful because I had both a chance to practice my English in a professional environment and learn technical vocabulary.

This internship program was also a great chance to go deeper in the Canadian culture and make new and special friends. Now I feel very confident; not only to work in a foreign company but to also look for a job in other countries.

Angie Diaz, Mexico


Wealth / Investments Management - Royal Bank of Canada

I worked under two Investment Advisors of RBC Dominion Securities at the head office investment branch.

My first week was very good, all the people there are very kind and helpful, and I have been learning about the way they classify their clients, which is good for my next job.

At the beginning, I was doing filing and updating the system. Very soon they taught me more about how they do the investments & shares deals, to determine what is a good investment with equities, bonds and cash. My task was mainly to assist their information backups of their clients, create a database in order to organize and have an electronic method to keep updated the referring data to the clients. This experience has improved my English communication skills while I learned vital processes about stock market and financial affairs.

The internship was very helpful in developing both my English and professional skills that will assist my career. I gained practical experience to also solidify my employment choices and increase my knowledge and skills.

In a short period, I learned more than I could have expected!! Having the chance to work in the Royal Bank has been a great opportunity for me.

Priscila Kalfez, Brazil


Media Production - Global Television News

Well, let me tell you a little bit about my experience at Global Television, now that I'm done there and I can see things in another perspective.

For me, it was a really good experience. I learnt a lot of things about television & newspaper production, journalism in general and how things work in a big company (in Brazil, I always worked in small companies).

At first and in some situations, it was a little bit difficult. Which was good and bad at the same time. Bad, because sometimes I missed someone to help me and teach me how to deal with new and unusual situations for me. Not because of the English itself, but because every company has its own ways to do things. Good, because I had to make an extra effort to do a good work and learn everything I could. And because of that, I had to improve my English skills and my social skills as well.

I think this internship was really important for me as a person, as an English student and as a journalist. I'm glad I did it, I'm happy with my work there and I think they were happy as well, like Sharon wrote in the recommendation letter I asked from her.

I really appreciate this opportunity and your attention. You did a great job trying to find the best company and internship for me!

I think I just fell in love with Toronto, what can I do…!?....I'm planning to go back to Canada in 2008.

Jose Hernandez, Mexico


Web & I.T. Marketing - Canamedia

I met you around 3 years ago from ILAC, during an internship process. You got a position for me and, even though I could only work a month with them, it was the most rewarding experience I had during my stay.

I never had the chance to thank you in person for sending me to Canamedia. For me it's still the best place I've worked for. Thank you again.

Noriko Nakano


Group Tours Marketing - Air Transat Holidays

Thank you for your thoughtful mail.  I'm doing well everyday, thank you.  My colleagues are so kind and nice.

My department and I have been quite busy these days due to this being vacation season.  I'm getting used to my job and my coworkers, and now I'm more satisfied with my work because I have begun to feel I'm able to help them a lot. 

My coworker told me that they are quite busy in March too.  I'm even thinking about extending this internship. I have not decided yet but if they need me, I'm glad to help them.

Christine Samy, Switzerland

Accounting - Warner Brothers

 

The job is interesting and I liked it so much. I did administration to help the staff thus I sometimes used the ERP software SAP.

I’m sad because I have only one week and then I’ll get back to home.

Thank you so much Mr. Creighton.

Chika Horisha, Japan


Human Resources / Special Events - Covenant House

I am writing here because today was the last day in Covenant House Toronto.

I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. This working experience, within several departments such as Human Resources, Donations, Marketing, Special Events etc not only improved my English skill but also taught me a part of the present social situation in Toronto.

As an international student, I gained a lot of valuable experience. In addition, I was very happy to be able to contribute to such a wonderful organization.

Again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this internship you gave me. As you told me before starting, I became really interested in this organization and love them as well as other previous students have done.

Ruby Park, Korea


Marketing - Theatrix Costume House

First of all, these people are super nice and welcoming, as you said before when we met. They are all good to me and are concerned for me.

I’m sooooooo happy to work here. I’m learning how to get better at Excel (my skill is totally improved). The first day of my internship, a co-worker came to me and said. “Good luck, I have had your seat before, that seat is the hottest seat in this office” My experience is getting sexier, but don’t worry - I already know the policies of this company!

Anyway, I just finished making a health & safety handbook, last week, and now I’m putting suppliers and costumers name, address and number in Excel program. I think, office working really doesn’t fit me as sometimes it is a little boring, because I have to do the same task on and on. Maybe I am suited better to a job which meets people and not office work?

Thank you for your concern for me and asking if I’m satisfied with my internship. I’ve realised what kind of job is preferable for me (in the future).

I got a very good reference along with a bunch of flowers from Jennifer. Thank you for giving the opportunity to work with a nice company and nice people!

Ha Young-Lee, Korea


Marketing - Bond Place Hotel

I'm very happy to hear about the positive feedback from my company.

During my first week, 3 other staff were on vacation, so I had lots of tasks to do instead of them.  Although they came back to work from vacation on my second week, I couldn't get too relaxed.  After I finish one task, they give me other task e.g. making food inventory and designing new menu for the restaurant.

It has been very helpful to learn the office work and the company's system.  Because this is my first office experience (I've not even worked in an office in Korea), I now realized that everybody is very busy to run one company - that it is different  to being in school class

On the other hand, I have opportunity to talk a lot with every staff at lunchtime and after work.

Lana Kobod, EU Marketing


Omnicom ESL School
- Toronto

Thank you for the updates of Soohwa's progress. 

Soohwa visited the school yesterday – she was the happiest person!   She gave a small presentation to my current Business English students to promote the program's benefits.  We will be posting her testimonials on our website.

She also appreciated the experience and was very happy with that appraisal she received from her boss.
 
Thanks again for your help with all our students!

 

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