A Chat with Stephanie - Sale Team Manager

Meet Stephanie, one of our Sale Team Managers. Stephanie is Italian and lives in London. We asked her how important it has been for her to learn English and about experiences in general about learning a foreign language.

How many languages do you speak?

I speak 3 languages: Italian, German and English.

What made you learn a second language and how did you learn it?

My mother comes from Austria and I spent every summer with my family there. I have also studied the grammar and literature of English, German and French at high school. Since I was born and grew up in a family with two different traditions and cultures,  I embraced the importance of having a deep knowledge of different languages in terms of personal and professional achievement. In fact the more languages you know, the better job opportunities you’ll find and the more people you’ll be able to engage with. I have spent four weeks in Scotland when I was 17 years old and 3 months in Miami when I was 21. That has been the most valuable experience I have ever had in my life. Being able to communicate in English, building a rapport with other nationalities was very exciting. If you want to learn a second language, you must go abroad. There is no other way to learn and improve it.

How have your language skills helped your career?  

The more languages you know the better.  Everywhere in the world, In terms of career and job opportunities it is very important to know more than 2 languages. English is of course the main required language for any type of CV. There is such a high competition among job seekers that knowing languages would definitely increase chances of getting the job.

What is your experience of living abroad, what was/is your favorite thing about it?

It has been tough adapting to new cultures and traditions far away from my family but I feel more confident about myself and my own skills therefore I would strongly suggest this life experience. Living abroad enhances your knowledge in terms of cultures, languages and mindsets.

What brought you to Kaplan?

I’ve been lucky enough to have a friend who introduced me to Kaplan, the rest is history!

What did you do before working at Kaplan?  

Right before I came to Kaplan I was working as a waitress and then, thanks to my friend, I came to know the company and eventually got a job there.

What do you like the most about your job?  

There are many things I like about my job; I have to say that working in an international environment is definitely my favorite. Getting to know people from different countries and listening to many languages every day is really stimulating.

Which one is your favorite Kaplan destination and why?

My favorite one has to be Australia. They have amazing outdoor activities, it’s really sunny, hot and the sea is wonderful. Also, there are great job opportunities in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

What is the best thing about working in such an international environment?

You have the opportunity to explore different mindsets, traditions and cultures.

What are your hobbies?

I love both reading and traveling.

What country do you love and what is your dream holiday?

I love traveling with no boundaries. My dream holiday? Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Tell us about a funny thing that happened to you recently?

I know it might sound strange but I am afraid nothing funny happened to me recently.