Sixth Form pupil Vladimer Choghoshvili spent an interesting Easter holiday with Owen Patterson, the Member of Parliament for North Shropshire, working in his office at the House of Commons.
Vladimer arrived at Oswestry School from Tblisi, Georgia in September 2016 having been chosen as an HMC scholar following a rigorous selection and interview process. At home in Georgia, Vladimer had joined political summits, became an active delegate in Model United Nations (an academic or recreational activity in which participants assume the role of national ambassadors or representatives to debate and seek to solve global issues) and from here, joined the MUN group to help organise the summits.
As an after school job Vladimer spent three months working for TeleTrade, a financial company that allows investors from all over the world to expand their financial opportunities by trading in the international financial market, as an assistant to an investment broker and then as an assistant analyst. Then at the age of 15, the knowledge gained of summits led Vladimer to found his own organisation called Lightbulb, who coordinate educational projects for young people aged 14-25.
Vladimer’s application for work experience with Owen Patterson was accepted and he spent a week at Easter in his office at the House of Commons. Set to work, Vladimer assisted in organising documents to be sent to all MP’s and members of the House of Lords on agricultural, environmental and fisheries policies. He attended seven important meetings and was present in the main hall of the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions.
At one meeting Vladimer met CEO of British American Business, Jeffries Briginshaw. Following a discussion of US and UK trade post Brexit Vladimer was invited to join Jefferis Briginshaw for a chat and a cup of coffee at his office. The weekend after Easter Vladimer travelled back to London to meet Jefferis Briginshaw, leaving with a promise of further work experience at the British American Business offices in the summer.
Vladimer is a shining example of young people who are grabbing opportunities and opening their own doors. Headmaster, Julian Noad, commented, “We are delighted that students like Vladimer choose to study in the UK and that they become such active and interested members of our society. As a school we encourage and assist our pupils in finding these opportunities and support them wherever we can. I am confident that Vladimer will have a very bright future ahead of him”.