Violetta Makarova from Irkutsk
Our club has recently hosted a student as part of “Watch and Learn Internship for Business Students” from Irkutsk, Russia. We offered such a placement to Violetta Makarova for the duration of a little over five weeks from June 28th to July 30th 2016.
We were able give Violetta exposure to the richness of the City of Ballarat and surrounds, its early history and culture.
She spent two-week placement at Sovereign Hill in the Marketing Department where she was a part of the Christmas in July program, dressed in period costume interacting with Visitors to the Park.
Violetta was also involved when the Melbourne Cup arrived to the Park and was even able to hold the actual cup. Her photograph featured in the local newspapers several times and the “Miner “had her image on the front page. She had a wonderful experience, learning a lot and gaining confidence by all her experiences.
Her second placement was with University in Ballarat “Federation University Australia” which currently runs a number of Business degrees in the Commerce area. PP Christine O’Conner from the Rotary club of Wendouree Breakfast was able to organize a project Violetta could do with the staff of the University during this part of her internship. She was a very conscientious student taking on all the tasks responsibly for the projects set by both her placements.
During her visit she had time to do some shopping in Melbourne and Ballarat. She was taken along the great Ocean Road by Alan Barham, along with the Sonora Sunrise Rotary Club Exchange student Teddy Griffin, enjoying the natural wonders of the coast.
Violetta spent a weekend in Sydney with Lidia’s daughter, Simone having a wonderful girly time and seeing the major sights. In Ballarat she went to the wildlife park, and spent a day in Queenscliff and Geelong.
She came to all the Rotary meetings taking part in the car trial, the changeover dinner and saw how a 3D printer worked. She gave an informative presentation before she left to the club.
She was home hosted by PP Lidia Aitken and President David Goldsmith in Buninyong. Both hosts enjoyed having her, commenting as one that she fitted in like one of the family.
Lidia Aitken, Secretary, the Rotary Club of Ballarat West 2106-17