A FRENCH student has bid adieu to Barnard Castle after completing a seven-week internship at the town’s arts centre.
Pauline Calvayrac said she had fallen in love with the town and the area and would have no hesitation in recommending the dale to other students looking for a placement.
Her internship at The Witham came at the end of a three-year degree in languages (English and Spanish) and business.
Having struggled to find a host in the UK, she came across The Witham thanks to a friend of her mum who knows one of the volunteers at the arts centre.
“I had never heard of Barnard Castle before I came, but I definitely wanted to come to the UK to do my internship,” said 23-year-old Pauline, whose family lives in Brittany.
“I have enjoyed doing various things at The Witham and it’s been amazing.
“They gave me so many different things to do. I felt useful, welcome and trusted.”
She added: “I love the town. Before I came, I thought I would be bored, but it’s not like that at all.
“I was surprised and amazed how this little town is moving and there were a lot of interesting things to do.”
She said she had enjoyed walking and visiting attractions such as Raby Castle.
Other surprises included her first visit to The Bowes Museum – based on a French chateau.
“I did not expect it to be so huge and impressive,” she said. Pauline returned to France earlier this week and will spend the rest of the summer working in her mum’s shop.
In September she will return to Paris to attend Diderot University to study languages, culture and new technology.
Staff at The Witham said they had been delighted with Pauline’s efforts.
Centre manager Susan Coffer said: “She has been exceptional.”
