SCRIPT: Why are you leaving? [June 13, 2018]
It's a big step to leave everything behind and move to a new country.
Donna: Ben! I’ve just heard you’re leaving the company! I’m very surprised, I thought you enjoyed working here.
Ben: I’m not leaving because I don’t like the job, Donna. Don’t think that! This is a fantastic company and I’ve been very happy here. And everyone here in the office is fantastic. A really good bunch of work colleagues - no one could ask for better. I’ll miss everyone when I'm gone.
Donna: So why have you decided to leave? We’re all a bit shocked, you never said you were looking for a new job.
Ben: I wanted to keep everything quiet until everything was sorted out.
Donna: So you’ve found yourself a bigger and better job?
Ben: Well, not exactly. It’s four years since I left university and started working here. And I only planned to stay with this company two years at the most.
Donna: We’ve been lucky that you stayed with us longer!
Ben: Ha ha, well, time’s gone so quickly. When I was at university, I decided I was going to spend some time living and working abroad. My sister worked in Britain on the two- year working holiday visa scheme, and she had a fantastic time. So I decided I’d do the same when I’d worked a couple of years and put some money in the bank.
Donna: So that’s what you’re going to do? It sounds exciting.
Ben: I applied last year. The forms were quite easy to fill in. But one thing you have to tell them is that you have a certain amount of money saved up. So that’s why I didn’t apply immediately after university. After all, I was only 21 when I graduated, and I didn't have savings.
Donna: Where are you going? London, I suppose.
Ben: That’s all up in the air at the moment. But no, I won't stay in London. I want to go to a smaller city where living expenses are cheaper. My sister says that renting a room in London is really expensive. I haven’t made up my mind where I’m going yet. Everything will fall into place.
Donna: You don't have a job lined up?
Ben: No. I’m looking online, and if I haven’t found anything when I get to the UK, I’ll go to an employment agency. That’s what my sister did. And she found a good job in the reception department of a big hotel. She was very happy working there. She earned quite a bit of money, but also spent quite a bit travelling to Europe.
Donna: That’s something I’d love to do. I want to visit Paris and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Ben: I’ll let you know if I get to do that. It’s easy to get to France from Britain. There’s a train from London that goes through the Channel Tunnel direct to Paris. It’s called the Eurostar.
Donna: I’m jealous! When do you go?
Ben: I’ve given my notice in here for the end of the month. Ms Lee was shocked when I went into her office yesterday and told her.
Donna: I can just imagine her face!
Ben: So yes, I’m flying on the 10th of next month. The flight’s all booked. All my paperwork for the working visa came through two weeks ago and I immediately started looking for a cheap flight.
Donna: And you kept all this from us!
Ben: I guess I wanted to surprise you.
Donna: You’ve certainly done that! I think you’re very brave doing something like this.
Ben: I’d be telling a lie if I didn’t admit that I was a bit nervous. Wish me luck! I might need it.