In February 2025 our London and Lancaster SilverDoor placements undertook a 'Placement Swap' - visiting, working in, and experiencing a week in a new city. There were two fun-filled and jam-packed visits full of socialising, team bonding, networking, and so much more!
Thinking of applying for a placement in London or Lancaster but not sure which one is best for you? Let's hear both perspectives on the highlights and challenges to guide your decision.
1) How did you feel on the first day of the placement swap compared to the last?
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"The first day felt very new again with different aspects to get used to however, by the last day I didn't want to leave. It was amazing to be able to catch up with the other members of the PR team and get to know everyone better in person." |
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"I was nervous going into the swap, the size of the London office and Chiswick Park made walking in very daunting. But by the last day, I felt completely at home. Not just in my team, but in the office itself. In such a short time we slotted into the flow of London office life and by Friday it was such a shame to leave!" - Frankie Crawley (Lancaster) |
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2) How did the placement swap challenge you professionally? Were there any skills or ways of working you picked up?
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"With my team being based in London it meant that instead of quickly being able to ask questions or let someone know about something, we had to communicate using more teams calls, which was new to me. That being said, everyone in Lancaster was able to help out if anyone needed something!" |
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"As a member of the Accounts Payable side of the Finance team I got to learn a lot from our Accounts Receivable team in London and gained a deeper insight into how the entire finance mechanism works." - Tom Gilman (Lancaster) |
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3) How does the atmosphere in Lancaster compare to London?
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"The office is much smaller which I really liked! If you need someone from a different department you can just pop your head up and ask. The atmosphere is really friendly and everyone is so talkative, this really helped get the best out of me when answering phone calls and engaging with other teams and departments." |
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"It was interesting to see how the different teams and department dynamics were, London was very friendly and welcoming. However, Lancaster definitely has that buzz around the office!" - Matt Holtom (Lancaster) |
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4) How did the trip help you to connect and build relationships with other colleagues?
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"It was great to be able to speak in person with colleagues I regularly speak to on Teams. It’s encouraged more open communication from me, making it easier to address challenges in the office, as well as made a more cohesive atmosphere across offices." |
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"Sitting in a different team was such a great opportunity to chat face to face with colleagues you would normally be calling and emailing. I feel like I know them all so much better now and I always look forward to hearing from them now I’m back in Lancaster." - Frankie Crawley (Lancaster) |
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5) What was the biggest difference in your daily routine while on the placement swap?
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"Having a 5-minute walking commute to work! A shorter journey gave me more free time to explore Lancaster and enjoy the evenings for longer." |
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"The commute - having to wake up earlier to travel into the office. I definitely had to get used to planning my journeys beforehand!" - Jacob Fidler (Lancaster) |
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6) If you could relive one moment from the week, which would it be?
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"I would relive the pre-work sunrise run along the canal I did with Frankie. It was a really relaxing start to the morning, seeing the sights and enjoying the quiet before the day began. Even better that it was shared with someone I don't get to see often." |
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"The best moment from the week in London would have to be the group meal on our first evening there. We went to a local Thai restaurant, and not only was the food delicious, it gave us all a chance to get to know each other more." - Tom Gilman (Lancaster) |
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7) And finally, if you get the chance to experience the placement swap for yourself, here are some words of wisdom for enjoying it to the fullest:
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"Make the most of every night as you are only there for a few; take advantage of the 5-minute commute to the office (as compared to London it was a blessing) and visit each department as they are all so welcoming and up for a laugh. It's a trip where you get as much out of it as you put in so organise activities in advance. This has been one of my major highlights since joining SilverDoor!" |
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"Speak to as many people as possible as you get the chance to match names to faces and get to know them in person rather than on teams. Enjoy the corporate atmosphere and bustle of London as it can be a good thing!" - Matt Holtom (Lancaster) |
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Applications for our 2026/7 Placement Academy open in October 2025, offering experiences in both our London and Lancaster offices across every department. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity – check out our placement brochure here or, find out what else our placements get up to over their year with us.
