Viennese visitors waltz into Shrewsbury

A group of Austrian students have been staying with host families in the Shrewsbury area to gain work experience and enhance their language skills.

The visit to the area for a group of 33 students and teachers from Vienna has been organised by a Shropshire-based company called Student Exchange Experience (SEE), which provides host families and short-term work placements for foreign students in the region.

Jan Evans of SEE said: “Shropshire people have welcomed these students into their homes and we have arranged part time placements at shops and businesses to help them gain valuable experience with both their English and their social skills, although most of them speak our language exceptionally well anyway.”

One host workplace was The Dog’s Trust charity shop in St Mary’s Street, Shrewsbury, who took in 17-year-old Natalie Chomin and employer Belinda DeBono, said: “ Natalie was a little timid at first but still very keen and good with members of the public, so it was a real pleasure to see her confidence grow over the time she spent with us.

“Natalie started in the backroom by sorting clothes which had been donated but quickly progressed to tagging items, helping to display merchandise and even manning the till, she was a great asset and I believe that this student exchange is a excellent scheme to help promote international friendship and we will certainly miss Natalie, but do hope to keep in touch.”

The Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Miles Kenny hosted a reception for the visitors at The Guildhall and spoke of the many wonderful buildings and statues of famous people to have emanated from the town, followed by giving a guided tour of the building and serving afternoon tea.