Students at Derby College took part in an exchange with BBS Brinkstr School in Derby’s twin city of Osnabruck in April 2016 and we were lucky enough to have one of the teachers on the exchange join us for a morning at the practice.

Nicole Ahrens, who teaches optics and English at BBS Brinkstr School spent the morning shadowing Davina, to see how optometrist’s services differ between the UK and Germany. It also served as a way for Nicole to improve her English skills within an optical environment.

Nicole said: “It’s really interesting to see the differences between the education system in the UK and the system in Germany. Derby College does not have an optics or opticians course like we teach at BBS Brinkstr School, so I have been sitting in on electrician and mechanics classes at college.”

Derby College arranged for Nicole to visit Richard Petrie Optometrists for the day to break up Nicole’s eight day exchange trip. She joined Davina at the practice on her usual Tuesday testing day for a morning learning about the ins and outs of the practice.

Nicole continued: “It’s really good to have an insight into how an optometry practice works here in the UK. I’ve picked up lots of helpful information during my time with Davina this morning. It was especially interesting to sit in on an eye examination. I got to see the whole process of an appointment from when the patients arrive to when they leave.”

Davina said: “It was great to have Nicole join us for a few hours at the practice and learn more about her role in teaching optics over in Germany. I think it’s great that Derby College arrange these exchange trips with our twinned city of Osnabruck. I hope it’s been an interesting and useful experience for Nicole and hope she has got plenty of information to take back to help her teaching in Germany.”