In November 2014, I had the opportunity to have a training session at Aviva, a huge insurance company with my English partner Omar.

To make it short, the first day was stressful! We were late because we go lost ourselves on the roads of London. Of course, I did not know that Aviva was that big. I was imagining a little company. And then, we discovered the company, I was just stuck there, admiring these skyscrapers. We got a warm welcome as we entered the doors despite being soaked to the skin and it was a little awkward. Our tutor was Paul and he was extremely kind and tuned in. He really took a lot care of Omar and me. He asked us to research about some important political people that he was going to meet next. Then we went to the House of Parliament. It was very interesting and enriching. There, we met Jammy who told us how the company is functioning and also the marketing side of it.

 

The next day was very different. It was really nice because we spent all the day outside. We visited a little independent if I can say, company, of Aviva. Extremely unusual and new it was for Omar and me. The system wasn’t the same. They were working as people who was on the head of initiating new ideas for smartphones for example. They demonstrated a project which was a smart application of Aviva available on IPhones. Then we ate in a so-called “street restaurant”, it was Lebanese food and delicious! London is such a lovely place. I loved it.

 

Finally, we made a video on Aviva and promoted our work experience with it. We did it and they enjoyed it. Paul allowed us also to have a talk with a person with a lead marketing role She was very nice and relaxed. We asked her questions about her career, future etc. The answer that will always stay in my mind was when I asked “what would you advise us to succeed in life?” She replied: Never be scared, always risk it all.

 

Selcan Derin