Testimonials

Plamena Sotirova, Customer Care Coordinator for Air France

Nationality: Bulgarian

After her experience as an intern, Plamena returned in Sep 2011 to work as a regular employee for Air France Passage Claims.

Was this internship with BlueLink International CZ your first real professional experience?

I have had various short-term “summer jobs” before, but this was my first real professional experience, where I could apply knowledge from my studies, while simultaneously developing other personal and professional qualities on the spot.

Why did you decide to come to Prague and what did you think of the city?

First I decided to take the position in BlueLink and realized only after that my destination was Prague. Having lived here several months I can confirm that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Prague has this unique spirit of ancient, modern, and alternative at the same time and the best part is that the city whispers all of these to you in an individual experience you will not forget. I will return to Prague whenever I have the chance.

What is the area of your academic studies and what were you looking for in an internship?

I am now a Bachelor of European Studies majoring in politics and communication. I was looking for an internship that would provide me with the chance to apply my knowledge, but also contribute to it somehow; I also looked for a place that would be challenging and would help me develop my qualifications.

Did you feel a language skill improvement because you are using other languages?

Being a part of the German team and not being a native German speaker was one of my greatest personal challenges, but also an extremely rewarding experience. I observed great improvement in my German language skills. The fact that I had a lot of native German colleagues also gave me greater confidence to ask for their advice whenever in need. Now I am a lot more confident when speaking and moreover my vocabulary has extended to new levels.

How was your evolution during your BLICZ experience?

One steadily acquires an idea how the professional world deals with the activities in the world of airlines and quickly adapts to the company ethics. International communication is of essence for the company, so one learns how to efficiently adapt in a challenging international situation and I consider this as one of the greatest assets and a valuable lesson as a whole. Moreover, I was able to work under sometimes stressful conditions and be flexible in the offerings towards the customers.

What are the best things about working in such a business?

Different airlines have different procedures, this job gives the perfect opportunity to get to know the airline world better and to be more prepared when applying for a job in any airline venture. It also gives you some personal lessons as a passenger - so, ladies, please never check in your wedding dress. This experience also teaches you work ethics and how to appreciate how the team is mutually helpful when colleagues share their experiences and support you in any challenging situation.