Paris secondment story

After only a two-and-a-half hour trip on the Eurostar, I found myself in Paris, full of excitement at the prospect of spending the final six months of my training contract in France. So far, I have not been disappointed.

Working for our "best friend" firm, Bredin Prat, is excellent. I have had the opportunity to experience a completely different firm, with quite a different culture, while retaining the exposure to top quality work. Only two months in, and I have been involved in several international arbitration cases as well as a couple of M&A deals. The responsibility that I have been given here is great preparation for qualification on my return to London.

Paris is a city that has something for everyone, from culture to nightlife. For the more adventurous, small towns and villages surrounding the city provide a change of scenery and a sense of France outside Paris. As a keen rider, I have managed to find a horse I can borrow in nearby Maisons-Laffitte, a centre for horse racing in France, and the only place I know where street signs give horses right of way! Joining a riding club has enabled me to practise my French in a non-work environment and to start building a small group of French friends, which has really made Paris feel like a home away from home.

• Caroline Baker
• Trainee secondment