Work experience placements abroad?

[Kikithecat]

Has anyone heard of any 15 year old who has been allowed to do his/her work experience placement abroad? I have heard there would be a problem with the school not being able to 'vet' the company, but what if it's and international company which has a track record of placements?
Would love to be able to do this for my DC as we have various contacts in Europe who would be willing to help (and family to stay with).

[creamteas]

Yes, my friend's DD did her y10 work experience in France and this wasn't seen as a problem.

She was staying with family, and working in a French school though, so this might have been why it was deemed to be ok.

[Kikithecat]

Oh that is encouraging creamteas. One of the places concerned is a kind of school, though more of an adult education centre.
Any others out there?

[noblegiraffe]

Employers need to have the appropriate insurance. Not sure how this would work in a foreign company.

If it can't be arranged in the school, how about doing it in the school holidays?

[Kikithecat]

Yes I am considering doing is as well as the school placement if that cannot be arranged.

[Kikithecat]

'this' not 'is'

[sassymuffin]

It may depend on individual school or LEA policy. My daughter did her year 10 work experience in Germany at the HQ of my partners firm. My daughters school totally supported her opportunity to work in Europe and all I had to sign was a waiver of sorts regarding insurance etc.
My daughter was quite determined that she wanted to fly out there herself and was beside herself with excitement while I nearly passed out with worry!
She was met by a driver at Dusseldorf and stayed the week with the owner of the company and despite not speaking one single word of German she had a fantastic time!

[memder]

Can I ask how much her German improved sassy? Or was it mainly the independence factor that made it great?

[BlackMogul]

I would just do it privately in the holidays and leave the school out of the equation. They obviously cannot monitor w e abroad so just do it privately and find something closer to home for the school.

[AuntySib]

I know the British Council help arrange work experience abroad, but that may be only for older teens. Might be worth checking - i think they do the vetting etc.

[sassymuffin]

DD had not studied German at all previously (she was currently studying French and had previously studied Spanish also. Everyone spoke to her in English mainly so she just picked up a few basic phrases - please thank-you etc.
Overall it was the independence factor which also gave her a great degree of confidence, self belief and maturity.
She is an academically able girl but her lack of common sense previously was the stuff of family legend (occasionally it still is) However after her work experience she was just a lot more self assured and practical.
She also had a massive amount of fun and it was a huge adventure for her.