From 6 to 26 April, four students from the Vissy Odborna Skola in Most stayed in Meppel. Tatiana Volosciuc and Veronika Peroutková did an internship in De Berghorst nursing home in Staphorst. David Knaf and Lenka Bartosová were doing an internship at the municipality of Meppel.

Besides that, the foundation Towntwinng Most-Meppel provides a leisure program for the students.

Veronika Peroutková and Tatiana Volosciuc were in nursinghome De Berghorst in Staphorst. (click on photos to enlarge)

Lenka Bartoisová and David Knaf were in the townhall of Meppel (click on photos to enlarge)

In their free time the students visited some places in Holland (click on photos to enlarge)

At Friday April 25 the students had their presentation and they got their certificates from the hands of deputy-mayor Robin van Ulzen (click on photos to enlarge)

Personal evaluations

Reflection on my Internship in the Netherlands

There are some opportunities in life that only come once – and I am incredibly grateful that I was the student who got to experience something so unforgettable and beautiful.

When I found out I had been selected for an internship in the Netherlands, I was overjoyed. But at the same time, I had so many questions running through my mind: Was my school the right choice? Do I really deserve such an opportunity? Should someone else be going instead of me? I truly give my all in my studies and hope that I’m not the only one who sees my effort.

Now, about the stay itself…
Bart, I don’t even know how to thank you. Everything you did for us during the internship, the way you welcomed us – it all deserves a big round of applause and a heartfelt thank you. You are an amazing person with a big heart. The fact that you organize these kinds of stays for students from different fields and countries is fantastic – but the way you do it, with such joy and positivity, made it all the more enjoyable and special for us.

A large part of our stay was organized by the other board members – Harm Jan, Hetty, Mieke, Taeke and Wim. It’s incredible how much time and effort they put into preparing the program to make sure everything was perfect down to the last detail and that we were more than satisfied.

We were the first group to experience staying at the new hotel called My Hotel. It had everything we needed – it was fully equipped and visually very nice. The only suggestion I would make is to add a microwave in the rooms, so students can prepare meals for several days and reheat them as needed. Otherwise, I was completely satisfied with the hotel and wouldn’t change a thing.

Our internship in Staphorst, at Berghorst, was absolutely amazing. I’m bringing home something that’s hard to put into words – not just skills and experience, but also motivation that will stay with me for years to come. Each shift I worked was unique, and every staff member was kind, friendly, and caring. I especially appreciate their efforts to speak English and explain everything clearly and patiently. Special thanks to Ilse and Gea for their guidance throughout our internship.

It will be very hard for me to leave. I’m really going to miss this place.

I would also like to mention the trips we went on – I enjoyed every single one of them to the fullest, and I wouldn’t change a thing. During my time here, I met several exceptional people – and even though I’ve already said this many times, I want to thank all of you once again from the bottom of my heart. I wish you all the best in your work, and may you never loose the passion for what you do.

Thank you.
Veronika Peroutková

Reflection on my Intership in Meppel

I never imagined I would have the opportunity to complete a professional internship in the Netherlands. It was an excellent professional experience for me and a unique opportunity to discover a new country, its culture, and daily life in a completely new environment. I am extremely grateful to have been part of this program, and I must say that my overall impression of the stay exceeded all my expectations.

We were accommodated in a very pleasant and modern hotel that met all the basic needs. The staff was helpful and friendly, which made our stay much easier. If I could suggest an improvement, I would appreciate the option of having a microwave in the rooms, especially for guests staying long-term.

The internship itself, at the Berghorst facility, was truly inspiring.Thanks for Ilse, Gea And Teake we had the opportunity to get to know different working procedures and care methods that different from those we are used to in the Czech Republic. I also gained valuable experience in communicating in a foreign language, which helped me overcome my fear and boosted my confidence in expressing myself professionally.I was very positively impressed by the attitude of both the staff and the patients, everyone was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and kind. I also appreciate that we were accepted as part of the team from the very beginning, which helped create a pleasant and supportive atmosphere essential for successfully completing the internship.

In our free time, we had the chance to visit many beautiful places across the Netherlands, such as Keukenhof, Giethoorn, Rotterdam, and the nearby city of Zwolle.

I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the members of the organization – Hetty, Mieke, Harm Jan, Wim and especially Bart, who was constantly there for us, supported us throughout the stay, and always went out of his way to help.

I already know I will never forget the experiences and memories I gained here. I believe that the knowledge and skills I acquired during the internship will greatly benefit me in my future professional career. So, if even the smallest opportunity to return ever arises, I wouldn’t hesitate to take it, even if it meant staying here permanently.

Tatiana Volosciuc

Internship in Meppel

I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here. The internship gave me many valuable experiences and memories.

Working at the townhall was wonderful. The people there were kind, friendly and helpful. I learned a lot about economic topics in the Netherlands through interviews. I really liked that I didn’t have to work only in the office, because Najib (our internship supervisor) also showed me other aspects of working in public administration. It was interesting.

During our free days, we went on many trips. I enjoyed all of them. It was great to soak in the local atmosphere and get to know the culture. We often had issues with the trains, but we always managed to find a solution. Looking back, we laugh at how unlucky we were.

Staying at the new MyHotel was perfect. The equipment was sufficient. The only things missing were a microwave and a hairdryer. For cooking and better air circulation, it’s better to have a room facing outside rather than the inner side of the hotel. I appreciated the quiet location and the convenient access to shops.

The most important part is the foundation and the team of people behind it. I sincerely thank all of you for the care and support you gave us, and for helping to create such unforgettable memories.
I really loved the Netherlands, and I hope I’ll get the chance to come back one day.

Lenka  Bartošová

Internship in Meppel

The internship in Meppel was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Despite all the problems I had at home, I was lucky enough to take part in it. This 3-week experience exceeded all my expectations – from work to free time.

Hotel
First, we had the opportunity to stay at the new hotel, MyHotel. The accommodation is beautiful and has almost everything you might need. The only things missing are a microwave and an oven. Everything else is perfect. The location is also great, with everything you need just a short distance from the hotel.

Internship
Working at the townhall was simply amazing. The people there were kind, friendly, and willing to give you their time. I would especially like to thank Najib, our internship supervisor. If you show a willingness to work, he’ll do anything for you. He showed us that working in public administration doesn’t mean just sitting in an office—it can be interesting and different every day.

Free Time
Another part that can only be described in superlatives. Not only do they planned many beautiful trips for you, but if you want to visit a specific place, they’ll do everything they can to make it happen. I’m taking home countless memories that I will never forget.

Foundation
This is the best part. My deepest gratitude goes to Bart, Harm Jan, Hetty, Mieke, Wim, and Taeke. Without them, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, for all the arrangements, and most of all for your kindness and willingness to help. You are the best people I have ever had the chance to meet, and I hope you continue doing this amazing work.

It’s really hard to leave. As soon as I get the chance to come back, I’ll take it—even permanently.

David Knaf