"I taught English and cultural studies to groups of eager teenagers and ran a lunchtime club for sixth formers keen to improve their language skills. More than anything, that year in a German grammar school taught me many things about myself. It was a time to reflect on my future, away from the pressure of school and university and the seemingly never-ending rounds of demanding exams.

I took the opportunity to do an internship at Deutsche Welle Radio in Bonn during my summer holidays. It was there I first developed an interest in broadcasting. The experience inspired me to pursue a career in journalism. I returned to the UK to finish my degree in Cambridge, and to do a Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism at City University in London.

It was at that point that my former boss at Deutsche Welle called me up and asked if I'd like to work with her. So I returned to Bonn to start my first job. Two years later, I'm still here, and I'm still learning. It's exciting to be working for Germany's international broadcaster, especially as I regularly get the chance to travel throughout Europe, reporting on news stories and meeting people from right across this diverse continent. My year abroad has had an enormous impact on my career path, and on the people I've met along the way."