Bilingual

I was planning to introduce myself in the second blog post and tell something more about me and my education and experience, interests and future aspirations, but due to some unexpected developments I would have to postpone this. Today I got a call from an organisation where I applied for a 6-months paid internship as a communications assistant. Sounded nice, interview went more than fine, my profile is a perfect match for the requirements. I had a good CV, they said, good references and they were obviously satisfied with my answers at the interview. Despite this the organisation called to let me know that this is obviously not enough and the internship has been (surprise, surprise) offered to someone else.

Besides the bitter disappointment, as I was counting on this opportunity, I couldn't help but wonder what my application was lacking. "You are not a native English speaker. And we need someone to correct us as none of the people in the office is", said the voice. Great! Nowadays it is not enough to be smart, educated, outgoing, friendly, innovative, creative, motivated and experienced. Job hunters also need to be native English speakers in order to edit and/or translate the organisation's communication. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there a whole science about this, and a profession (in which other young graduates are hoping to specialize)? To make it even worse - this is Brussels. Here being a native English speaker is also not enough. If you are bilingual French-English speaker, even without a diploma, or qualifications, you are most likely going to find a job. And to illustrate the mood I am in (bitterly disappointed --> cynical) a song  for all young university graduates, who are wondering how they can become bilingual