Students at Embassy

Hey everybody, what's up?

"Hey everybody, what's up?
(just wanted to start like the Americans xD)

Last post I was talking about how nice it is having the chance to study English with people from different countries, to get to know their culture and things like that. Let me describe about it a little bit!
Well, first, I've met many Brazilians here. None of them from the same city, not even the same state, which is nice, because as Brazil is this huge country, we too have differences between different regions, and getting to know them all is great!
Also, I've been chatting with some friends from South Korea. They are lovely people, really polite and nice, and it's great to get to know their culture more, because is so different from my own! That's the same with the guys from Saudi Arabia, very talkative and joyful.
From Europe, I got the chance to meet people from Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany.. Yeah, that's a lot of, right? All of them with a different English - that's nice to notice too, our diferents accents - each one with specific characteristics but all so nice!

And as each week we have new students, you can also get to know another country through another friend!

It's awesome. Its a hole new world we get know everyday, you know? It's really nice to see how everybody can get along so well even coming from places completely different! It's doesn't matter your color, your religion, your country, you will always have a great time here, for sure.

Ah, and for today, we are going to a Broadway Show, one of Embassy activity as well. Guess which one...?
I'll tell you next post!

Hahaha, see you!

Carla"

My first day at school

Carla is studying with Embassy in New York

"Hey everybody!

My first day at school was just like every first day.. After the test (we also had an oral test) I've meet a lot of people, some of them also from Brazil, most of them from other countries. We've got to know the staff, the rules from the school, some rules from the building and got a lot of information about Embassy Activities, that are just great! Also we've got to know more about the system, because everything is on the school website, it's pretty much organized and easy, so you just don't need to stay in lines and things like that.

The second day I've got to know my teacher and all my classmates.. It's nice because as every Tuesday there are new students, teacher always ask to everyone (not only the new ones) to present themselves to the others, so we don't get shy or things like that because everybody is doing the same! Ok, after all the "nice to meet you" we started the class.

My class has plenty of conversation, which I think is the best way to learn a language, so I enjoyed (and still am enjoying!) very much. We had all this listening and discussion about education - the unit subject in my first week. As every week we have students coming and students finishing, every week is a new unit, with a new subject. The subject are complex and present a rich vocabulary. And it's great to be studying with people from other countries because this way we not only get to know how things works in other countries - it's so different sometimes! - but also creates a great environment to discuss the subjects!

After all the classes, I've had my first test on the following Monday. Tests in my class are essays where you have to present your point of view about the subject, support it with arguments, use vocabulary from the unit and be as formal and correct as possible. Whoa! Hard task, but that's why we are here for, to improve!

During this week, teacher gave us back the essays with our grade and corrections. And one thing that I think it's great about my dear teacher Marsha is that she give us the opportunity to correct by ourselves the marked mistakes, and also make individual comments about the points that she corrected. That's what I call learn with your mistakes! Hahahaha!

This week I had another essay, can't wait to know about it!

Journey to my Embassy residence

Carla is the very lucky winner of our Embassy competition in 2011 - she won a free trip to study in New York! Follow her adventures her on her blog...

From the airport to Embassy in New York!

My Room at Embassy - mess already haha!!

View from my room

New York here I come!

Carla won a free trip to study in New York with Embassy...follow her blog...

"Hey guys! It's time to say see you soon to my family, pack up my things and GO!

I had never traveled so far as to NY, and that makes everything really more exciting!

Choosing the clothes was difficult, and I have been researched weather websites to know more about it. And besides, I'm planning to go shopping and take some new clothes home!

I'll be posting soon about my first day!"

Carla

Ready for New York!

Carla is the very lucky winner of our Embassy competition in 2011 - she won a free trip to study in New York! Follow her adventures her on her blog...

14 September 2011

Hey!

I’m Carla Marcolin, and I’m just a few days from get on my plane to NY to study English at Embassy. I am Brazilian and I have never been to US before. I have always dream to come to NY – and I guess I’m not the only one. I always wanted to wake up in the city that never sleeps, just like Sinatra  :-) .

And now it’s so close.. I can’t hide my happiness. It’s in my eyes, in my face, I’m really excited. Of course that I’m a little bit nervous and anxious.. but in a good way. Everyone in Embassy with whom I have exchange emails are so nice that I’m very confidant of the success of this travel.
I’m a little bit nervous with the first day at school. It seems like I had moved in, and it’s my first day at my new school – like feeling on the childhood at 23-years-old. (Actually, it WILL be a first day at a new school !!). I’m nervous about the “test” to put me on a class like my level of English. What if I take a bad score?

I’m looking forward to meet people from different countries. It’s a great opportunity to do that! Having the chance do get to know other cultures, other costumes (and NY costumes as well!). I guess it will be a great experience!

In NY I wanna see it all! Hehehe! Well, some things I’m really looking forward to meet. Empire State Building must be beautiful! And MoMA, too. I’m a ballet dancer, so I expect to have the chance to do some Broadway Classes in some Academies of Dance! And 5th Av. as well. Do some shopping, get some cool accessories for my iPhone at Apple Store and drink a lot of coffees at Starbucks!

I wanna thank Embassy for this great opportunity: having the chance to make this trip and to share my experience with everyone will be great! I’ll be sharing every detail on every chance that I have!

Wish me Luck!

Saudi Day in Embassy CES, Boston

Hello,
We Saudi Students came form diffrent parts from Saudi Arabia with one main mission and that is to contribute with King Abdullah’s dream to make our country one of the best top countries in the world in many aspects.
I believe that each student comes to US must have a piece of his/her culture with them. Thus, and by the support of our school we held this Saudi day to show the international students and teachers these different pieces as one full beautiful picture.
The day started by a presentation of general information about Saudi Arabia. Then, we had the culture corner where the students took pictures wearing the Saudi traditional cloths with their names written in Arabic in cards.
Finally, the students and teachers indulged them selves by having the great arabic culinary.
I made this video clip to share with you all how amazing that day was.
Especial thanks and respects to Study Group for giving us the opportunity to have such event.
Ahmed Kaifi  

 

Gold Coast theme parks

The Gold Coast is a large city to the south of Brisbane and we can go easily by train and bus. This city is a magnet for tourists and boatloads of beautiful beaches (including the famous Surfers Paradise), shopping centres and an exciting nightlife.

It’s also a spot with a large concentration of theme parks, we can count at least 5 in a small area: Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, Whitewater world, Wet’n’Wild…

If your favorite heroes are Batman, Superman, Scooby Doo and Loony Tunes, and if you like rollercoaster rides, you will definitely enjoy Movie World.

Otherwise, if you prefer heroes from Nickelodeon like Sponge Bob, interactive shows and animal attractions, go to Dreamworld.

To enjoy many fast water slides, wave pools or just to get wet and have fun at the same time, you can go at Wet’n’Wild or Whitewater world.

Finally, if you are fascinated by dolphins, marine animals, polar bears and penguins, and if you like rides too, Sea World is for you.

Since I arrived, I was at Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild, and I spent two beautiful, really funny days with my friends.

Dreamworld includes 5 worlds (or areas): for younger visitors, there are Wiggles World (it’s an interactive cartoon famous in Australia), the World of Wildlife (with a rare white Bengal tiger) and the World of Family Fun.

But my friends and I really preferred “the big 5”: it’s 5  fast and tall thrill rides that are guaranteed to get your heart beating. Look at the Tower of Terror: you are sat outside and you fall backwards from 100m. I advise you to not try this ride just after your lunch, or to have a good stomach…

 

My favorite thrill ride was the claw, you are swinging and spinning 360 degrees at the same time and into the air. It feels fabulous!

And the last world is the world of Nickelodeon with Dora the Explorer, the Rugrats and Sponge Bob. For fans of Sponge Bob, you can meet him in person, buy everything you can’t imagine with this character or take flight aboard a giant jellyfish!

I believe I can fly!

A quieter slide

 

The other theme park I have also tested is Wet’n’Wild. It’s a water park, so, if you don’t like getting wet, it’s not for you. And that day, the weather was really bad, it rained all day but it doesn’t matter because we were already wet! To give you an idea of different water slides, there is one really terrible one - it’s AquaLoop. You begin standing when the trapdoor is released under your feet, you fall into a vertical transparent tunnel and you end up by doing a looping. Really really terrible!

After that if you haven't had enough, in the extreme H2O zone, try the Tornado slide. We are 4 people in a clover-leaf tube, catapulted in a storm. But my friends nicknamed this slide ‘Toilets’ because you have the feeling that you are in a toilet's flush.

The Gold Coast is Australia’s theme park capital, it’s also a paradise for children and teenagers…

Accommodation

Today, I would like to explain why I chose to live in a Homestay.

If you want stay in Brisbane, you have several possibilities: you can live in a shared house, a Homestay, a backpackers, a hotel, rent a flat…

Choosing the best one for you depends on your personality. If you are independent, maybe you prefer living in a shared house, but the disadvantage is that you have to do everything by yourself: cooking, cleaning, washing… It’s very comfortable to live in a Homestay.

Me, I chose to live in a Homestay because I think it’s a good opportunity to meet native Australians and share their way of life. My house is in the western suburbs of Brisbane, in zone 2, it’s not too far from downtown, but I have to take the bus. And here, the bus passes every half hour and it’s always very punctual: it’s very convenient! 

My house

In my Homestay, I live with 2 other students, a Japanese girl and a Korean girl. And we all three have our own bedroom with a desk.

In Australia, meals take place earlier than in France: breakfast can start from 6.30am if we have classes at school, and my host father cooks a good dinner at 6 pm. Since I arrived, I have been able to taste various meals from Australia, Japan and Korea, thanks to my host father and roommates. It’s one of the advantages of living together, we share our cultures and it gives rise to very interesting discussions at the dinner.

The whole family!

And my host father is very kind - if we have any problems we can ask him for help, he’s always willing to help us. It's very reassuring to have someone to turn to when we are in a new country. For example, the last time, I took the wrong bus and I got lost in Brisbane’s suburbs, and after trying to find my way, I could call my host father who immediately picked me up by car.

 

So, now I asked my host father some questions for you, to understand why he hosts foreign students:

Why did you choose to host international students?

“We chose to host international students because we have had a long connection with international people and involvement with them both here and in their home country. And to give them an introduction to the Australian way of life.”

Which nationalities have you hosted?

“Nationalities we have hosted are Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Philippines, Thai, Indonesian, Indian, Dutch, French, Colombian and Brazilian.”

How old are the youngest and the oldest?

“The ages of students have ranged from young teenagers to those in their fifties.”

When did you start? How many students have you hosted since you started?

“We commenced Homestay in August 2007. We have hosted more than 80 students.”

In average, how long did they stay?

“Students on average stayed approximately 6 weeks. That is of both short term and long term stays.”

What does it bring you to host students? And what are the disadvantages?

“The positive of  students staying has been to learn about other cultures, and assist students to become aware of ours. The disadvantages would be getting students to understand time schedules.”

Are there any prerequisites or rules to follow?

“The prerequisites to Homestay is for a student to have a good disposition towards Homestay in that of wanting to fit into Australian home-style. To listen carefully and to be part of chores and activities where possible.”

Thanks Allen.

Christmas Eve at Embassy

“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

I hope for you that Christmas celebrations were wonderful with your family, friends or Homestay family; and that the poor turkey was delicious! Here, for the 25th, no turkey, but a fantastic Christmas BBQ with my Homestay family.

In Brisbane, for the last week of the year 2010 and the last day just before the Christmas holidays, the school organized us full of surprises!

Friday December 24th, to celebrate Christmas, we began at the school by a few reviewing of Christmas carols. In my class, we tried to find (or guess) missing words to the lyrics of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". It's a very funny song, listen:

It made us all laugh!

After, unusually, courses stopped earlier, at 10.30am and ...

Let's go! It's ready for finding Christmas candy hidden in the  school's hallway: the one who catches the most wins the game, and it was a Brazilian girl friend who succeeded to find over a dozen, yummy!

After, go to the 6J room to enjoy Christmas treats and arbitrate a cooking competition of international food, we could taste: grandmother's cookies prepared by an Australian teacher, Taiwanese ravioli, a Korean recipe, and an apple pie ... a French version cooked by Loic and I, re-yummy! Look!

Then, we could choose between lots of different activities:

• Cards and origami: many beautiful christmas cards, and thank you Tom for teaching us the traditional Japanese art of origami. We could create a star, a crane, a ball...
• Board games
• Learn to sing Christmas carols
• Christmas trivia and games with prizes

Cards and origami

The Christmas tree with origami, so cute!

 

I choose the Christmas trivia and we laughted a lot.

There were several teams of 4, I was in the team "Pearl Harbour" with Swiss and Brazilian friends. And the game was to recognize the characters of Christmas, answer quizzes ... while being fast. And we won the first prize: Tim-Tam (it's a delicious chocolate cake) Re-re-yummy!

Christmas is not Christmas without Santa Claus and Christmas presents.

So going Santa Claus home: before each student had to buy a small gift and we exchanged that day. For my part, I offered a small plush and Santa Claus brought me a fish purse.

Friends and I with Christmas presents, I love my lovely fish purse.

Finally, Christmas cards created by students were delivered to their owners.
And for those who wanted, in the afternoon, there was a Christmas movie and free popcorn.

It was a very good start to Christmas.

3) *A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.* (Lao Tzu)

I've been busy these past weeks studying for the TOEFL, and I have only one week left in the United States but I wanted to write a post about the wonderful city of Boston, where I've been plenty of times.

During the 3 months I spent here, I familiarized myself with this town and felt in love with its atmosphere.  At first I lost a lot of time seeking help to find my way in the subway network, but then I found my footing in this big town and I took pleasure in going for a walk in downtown Boston.

It’s a very nice town and I especially appreciate the harbor jetty, which is a real breath of fresh air. For a moment, you don’t feel like you are in the United States anymore.

Besides the town, I also learned to appreciate its inhabitants. Bostonians are friendly, smiley and outgoing. Each time I needed help, as I was unable to locate myself on the map, I could stop a passerby and he would give me information with a smile. A few times I engaged some people in conversation, while waiting for the subway, or sitting in the commuter rail. 

Here come some pictures of Boston, and some of my favorite places.

 
When arriving in Boston by car

 
Quincy Market, a very pleasant place to have lunch and enjoy watching many street shows

 
Go to Quincy Market and try some "French crêpes" !

 

 
Boston Common and its ice rink (unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to try it yet)

 
Beacon Hill, a really pretty part of Boston

 

 The Prudential Tower

 
 View of Boston, from the 50th floor of the Prudential tower ! (The Charles river)

 
 
 
Boston Public Library, a magnificent and very peaceful place

 
The harbor jetty

Cécilia studies at Embassy Boston Merrimack. Find out more on the Embassy website.