Formal Letter of Application

Desmond Reyes

Director, Elephant Orphanage

12 Elephant Road

Sri Lanka

21 June 2012

Dear Mr Reyes,

I am writing in reply to your advertisement for volunteers to help the orphan elephants. I am interested in working with them and I would like to know a little more about the duration of the work and the qualifications necessary.

I am from France and I have already worked in a zoo for three years with many animals but never with elephants. I believe I have the right qualities for the job because I love animals and I am sure the orphan elephants will love me. I also work in a bank office so I am well-qualified for all the administrative work in the office. I play football in a club so I have a great physical condition for cleaning or looking after the elephants all day. I speak fluent French, good English and intermediate Spanish. It is a good opportunity to learn about the culture of Sri Lanka and to gain more experience with animals and particularly the elephants.

I have some questions about the work. Please send me information about the duration of the work, how many elephants you have and what languages you speak. Also, how many employees have you got in your office? In addition, could you tell me more about visa requirements and travel arrangements?

I am willing to attend an interview at any time.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

Pierre-Louis Artus

Pierre-Louis Artus

Ebrahim's post on the Arabic "Friends Reunited"

Hello everyone,

I've wanted to write something for the students' blog for ages, but I haven't managed to find time to do it. Life is hectic! Anyway, here is my news, at last.

As some of you know, after leaving school, I went to the Institute of Applied Technology to study Electrical engineering. It was a good experience to have the main idea about electrical things; and also to know how, where, and when we use it. After that I found a job easily, because this Institute has strong connections to the military. It is a good job and I was happy, but I told them I wanted to take a scholarship and the captain told me I can't give it to you. However, I spoke to another captain and he told me: 'I will see what can I do for you'. Fortunately, I got the scholarship, because I had a strong certificate; And I choose England, because it has beautiful countryside which helps me to study and relax at the same time.

When I came to Bristol, I found it very difficult to adapt in this city, because it doesn't have many Arabic people, and also they have different habits. For example: I used to eat Arabic food, but now I'm getting used to eating English food. Also, I didn't used to wear jeans, but now I'm getting used to it. However, I have to study English, as you know it's an international language, and it will help me in my job.

And now for my main news: when I return back to my country I will be a captain and I will get married, I know I'm not the first captain in my family, but I'm the first one who is getting married at this age in my family.

That's all for now. Best wishes to everyone,

Ebrahim

Bejad's post on the Arabic "Friends Reunited"

Hello everyone,

I miss you so much, I last saw you in high school, and after school I went to Tech College to study mechanical engineering. As you know, my college wasn't so easy, nevertheless I managed to get a scholarship from it. I studied some lovely subjects such as maths and physics; they were so hard but I liked them because I had good teachers. Then I decided to go the UK, but my brother told me the USA was better than the UK.

After that, I visited my brother in the USA to learn English for 3 months, because he was studying civil engineering there. I was lucky because I got a lot of experience of different cultures: before I studied, I had a problem with English, but after that course I could speak English. However, I did not like that country, I didn't know why, but it was wonderful, also most people like it and go to work there.

Then, I decided to study in the UK. But I worried about it - I thought it would be like the USA. Afterwards, I studied English again for 8 months. Then I chose Bristol University because it is famous, when I was studying I met some people from all over the world, learned some words from some other languages as well. I think the English is easier than other languages but of course Arabic is the easiest language for me.

Finally, I graduated from Bristol and had big party around Bristol with my friends. Really it was an amazing time, and I came back home to work here. I preferred to work for a private company but my friend advised me to take a government job because more it's more secure and the pay is better. Nevertheless, as you can see, I am a manager for the biggest international company in Kuwait.

See you soon ...

Bejad