Students at Embassy

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.

1) * The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.* (Saint Augustine)

Bonjour à tous!

My name is Cécilia, I’m an 18 year old French girl. I live in Lille, in Northern France, with my parents and Mathilde, my 21 year old sister.

But currently, I'm lucky to live in Andover Massachusetts in the United States, and attend classes at the Embassy language school in Merrimack College. I'm hosted by the Rayner family, composed of Cindy (my host mother), Felicia (one of Cindy's friend), Talia (my 15 year old American sister), Gabi (my Columbian sister) and Stéfani (my Brazilian sister).

Stéfani (on the right) and I

Three main reasons compelled me to become involved in the exchange student program.  My wish to reach a fluent level in English constitutes the first of these reasons. As English is spoken by many people throughout the world, being bilingual would enable me to exchange with many people of various nationalities. Furthermore, when I return to France my long-term goal is to try to enroll in journalism school and being at least bilingual is essential in this field of study.

The second reason which motivated my decision to come to the United States is that I was reluctant to undertake serious studies before having taken the opportunity to travel. I am convinced that this is the best way to divest oneself with common thoughts and other beliefs. Studying here in an international language school enables me to meet students from all around the world and get to learn plenty of things about South American, Arab, or Asian countries which I hope I will have the pleasure to visit one day.

The third and last reason is a more personal one. In a certain way, I took the initiative for leaving my warm reassuring family cocoon and came here to try to “find myself.” By spending several months abroad on my own, I hope to gain strength of character, overcome my personal doubts and return to France being more self-assured.

Cindy, my host mother and I

It's been almost two months since I got off the plane, and started my American adventure, and no doubt these have been the most pleasant and enriching months I’ve yet experienced. The main reason for this is the wonderful host family with which I am lucky to live. Cindy, Felicia and Talia  immediately made me feel part of the family.

Unfortunately, I only have 6 weeks left in the United States but I hope that through my posts, I’ll be able to  share some of my American discoveries with you, and make you feel as if you were travelling by my side.

So ... A bientôt !

Part 3. Sunrise at Napier

I first didn't intend to stop by Napier but I thought it'd be good to see a sea of New Zealand and wanted to see a sunrise and a sunset at the horizon. However, something was in my way: I got a cold. T.T
At Taupo, my last stop, the bus came late so I had to wait for over 1 hour outside shivering with cold.

* I lay on the bed as soon as arrived at the backpackers' hostel... Look terrible... *

I was lying in the bed thinking only of getting well as soon as possible. And then I looked back on my trip.
Lots of NZ people have helped us to find the way, and other things. Auckland is so busy and big that those who don't know NZ well can be confused that Auckland is the capital. City life is just like that so it's hard to feel the kindness of New Zealanders.

This period of NZ is not a busiest travel time so there were not many visitors from other countries. I think that has given us more of a chance to get in touch with Kiwis.

To be frank with you, I don't remember things in Napier because I was too sick to look around the town. Sorry. T.T

Anyway I blacked out that night.

* The moment just before the sun appears. *
 

* This is the scene of sunrise at the sea of Napier by my friend L.E.H. THANK YOU. *

I resurrected next day anyhow.

 
Not look good but not bad, don't I? ^.^

There's not much to see in Napier, I think. The town, however, is as beautiful and exotic as can be. The best part is that you can enjoy the view of buildings and nature while walking along the seashore. Anyway, I strongly suggest that you should go up to Bluff Hill. I think you're going to have to hitchhike to go up there. I walked up and regretted doing so.

You maybe recognize that my story in Napier is wandering... and incoherent...
Sorry but I really don't remember that day well because I was too sick. T.T

I'm asking for your forgiveness by these pictures.

Mr. Keith gave us a ride on our way back down to the town. I was just soooooo happy.
What in my mind at that moment was go to bed...
Wellington, the capital of NZ, is waiting for me.
What's my condition going to be like in Wellington???
I wished myself luck.

Part 1.2 Rotorua in the morning

I got up early in the morning, had breakfast and packed a lunchbox. The good thing was that I could leave my bags until I took the next bus even though I had checked out.

I stepped out of the Spa Lodge after having got ready! In fact, I prefer the sea or lakes to mountains, so I did expect to see the Rotorua Lake. Ah, I saw a Chrysler Taxi... What a fancy taxi it was...^^

Anyway I don't have to say anything. I think that the impression would be less than real if I said how I felt.
Great photos - just for appreciation.

 
Lake Rotorua has many good places to take a photo and this is one of them. 

 
The weather is clearing up now.

The surface of the lake is like a mirror.

 
A very harmonious black swan family.

I spent almost two hours taking pictures: birds flying freely, people strolling along the lakeside, beautiful hills at the opposite end of the lake and reflecting images of the sky on the lake's surface like a copy machine. It was just marvelous.

This is the real New Zealand, like Siva always says.
Isn't it, Siva? ^^ Now I know what you mean.
I just didn't want to move my steps.

The lake is this big....

On the way back to the lodge, I dropped by the Government Garden. There were people running a marathon and people cheering them. The stop watch on the wall said 3:47:30. I stood for a while giving a clap for the runners.

And there were people who were playing bowls as well. I think bowls is the most popular sport for seniors in New Zealand because wherever I go I can see people playing.

People are playing bowls. I think it's a good sport for seniors.

The impressions that I had due to Rotorua Lake, I couldn't get the images out of my head until I fell asleep on the bus to the Taupo.

I will be walking the road that I walked today again in the near future .
This is the very place that I want to come to again.
One more thing, I was so lucky because I saw a rainbow while waiting for the bus.
I've never seen a rainbow. I was just satisfied with everything during this trip!
And tomorrow is Taupo.
Taupo has its reputation for the lake too.
I can't wait to see the lake tomorrow morning!

 
Bonus shot. That short and small bridge is very dangerous because of the birds' xxxxxx. ^^ 

My journey to get to know New Zealand

This will be my honest feelings about New Zealand not just about a trip. I haven't been out of Auckland so far, so I haven't experienced many real New Zealanders. I'm sure that I will see, learn, feel and think lots of things during the trip.

And this is my story.

Part1.1 - Rotorua

I have planned to travel all around New Zealand for more than 2 weeks. I've never been throbbing this much in my heart with expectation in my life. And I have to admit that I have turned away from studying because I was so excited and had lots of things to prepare.

 
I received the YHA membership card five days before going - and I got a 'one free night' voucher~!

Time flies and D-day finally has come. Five of my friends and I got together at Britomart Transport Station and had a light lunch box.  As a matter of fact I lost my key to open my big bag before I got to the Britomart so I had to break the lock... One of my friends told me to bear it as the price for the escape from misfortune ahead and I really hope so! ^^

12:15 pm - Time to hop on the bus. The bus we took is the Nakedbus. Everybody who was first told the name of the bus was surprised but I even don't know why it's called that. Nobody is naked, don't worry.

We hopped on the bus and gave our reservation numbers.The bus driver loaded our bags himself. I may well expect a driver to do so in Korea but I didn't in New Zealand so it felt very kind of the driver to do that. That must be the principle of relativity. ^^

No sooner than I had a seat, I got carsick... It's just because it's been too long since I've been on a bus trip.The road conditions of New Zealand are much better than in Korea so I can't get carsick... Anyway I luckily fell asleep at once and then when I woke up I felt much better.

Our bus was in the middle of its way to Hamilton. I looked outside through the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

 
I took this photo because the clouds looked like a grand panorama. The thing I like most in NZ is that mountains are not very high around the road. Of course it's very charming to drive the road which is  surrounded by the mountains with beautiful trees in Korea. However, to have a good peculiar experience is always delightful.

When I was on the road between the pastures both sides, I could see the cows, horses and sheep graze on the greenary grassland. The blue sky and green land mixed so well and they became just a fantastic picture. I'm not a prefessional photographer but this beauiful nature allowed me to be a pro at the moment. The best part was that when a wide prospect bursted upon my view as I came out of the little forest. I felt refreshed at the moment when a road was opened up.

The bus arrived at I-sites (Travelers' Centre - very useful and good!), Rotorua via Hamilton (I gave my word to myself that I will travel this city some day too).

Actually, we didn't made an accommodation reservation because I had heard that it was not a high-demand season so we could find a good bacpackers or other kind of accommodation.You can find lots of information about accommodation and activities if you go into the I-sites. The bus lets you get off right in front of the Centre. We found a place, SPA LODGE, that suited our taste and headed there.

Check in, unpack and have quick dinner. The very reason that we chose the SPA LODGE among the many other places was we were able to use the Natural Thermal Spa for free!!!  We intended to go the Polynesian spa at night but we decided not to. Thanks to the help of the kind staff, we got a free map of the Rotorua city and made a quick stroll at night.

I have to go to sleep early because I've got many things to do tomorrow.

Good night!

Bruna Calheiros - our New York blogger

We are more delighted than we can say to have one of MTV Brazil's most engaging presenters as a student at Embassy New York. And as if that wasn't enough, she's permitting us to share her blog posts!

Bruna Calheiros has joined the Embassy Smart Express course, and will be blogging about her experiences all the way.

She writes in Portuguese, but for those who do not speak the language, we will be providing a link to Google Translate. Machine translation is not perfect, but it will give you a very good basic understanding.

On her personal blog Smelly Cat, Bruna paints an appealing picture of herself:

This Sao Paulo shorty will not pass a good chocolate by, even though sometimes the bars are twice her size.

Loves movies and will never miss a chance to take up residence on her neighbour's couch munching as much popcorn as possible.

Stubborn, tends to speak her mind and has already gained some bruises from it. Pretends not to read horoscopes, but does not leave home without knowing what the day holds for Scorpios.

Fanatical about cartoons, wants a SpongeBob tattoo on the sole of her foot, but is afraid of tickles. She loves to travel and wants to decorate her house like a hotel, but with free room service.

Now you know all about Bruna, go ahead and read her posts! Here's the first. And here is the Google translation.

Comecei meu curso de inglês na Embassy. Meu inglês não é dos piores, mas também não é dos melhores. É um meio termo, meia boca. Eu tenho consciência disso, e por isso que me inscrevi em um curso de inglês. O inglês “avançado” do currículo é o inglês “eu entendo algumas coisas”, e enquanto meu inglês não estiver quase natural, eu não vou estar 100% contente com ele.

Além disso, para entrar na maioria dos cursos e faculdades nos EUA, é necessário que você envie junto com sua inscrição, sua pontuação no TOEFL. Como eu tenho uma pós-graduação em vista, preciso tirar uma boa nota no teste. O TOEFL é um teste de inglês geral que mais parece um vestibular. Demora cerca de 4 horas onde você responde questões que testam seu Reading, Writing, Listening e Speaking. Não existe “passou” ou “não passou” no TOEFL, você recebe uma nota relacionada ao quanto você acertou. Depois disso, cada faculdade exige uma nota mínima e essa nota pode ser diferente de faculdade para faculdade, ou mesmo, de curso para curso.

Assim, preciso no inglês, além de aperfeiçoar minha fala e fluência, dar uma mega revisada na gramática e treinar bastante a escrita. Ter seus objetivos claros ajuda muito, pois você consegue focar os pontos principais, pedir ajuda ao professor no que você tem mais dificuldade e saber se está evoluindo no aprendizado ou não.

Já no primeiro dia, na Embassy, é o teste para saber qual o nível do seu inglês e, por consequência, que classe irão te colocar. Algo que eu achei muito interessante lá e mega prático é o sistema modular de aulas que eles tem. Toda segunda-feira uma nova turma de alunos chega e faz o teste. Dessa turma, alguns são inglês básico, intermediário, avançado, fluente. Assim, após o teste, os alunos são separados e colocados em salas que já estão com uma turma formada.

Como isso acontece? Isso é possível porque cada semana é um tema diferente, um capítulo diferente do livro. Essa semana de matéria começa na terça-feira com todos os alunos juntos e vai até sexta-feira, na segunda-feira da semana seguinte, os alunos fazem um teste sobre a matéria da semana passada. Ou seja, na segunda-feira os alunos novos fazem o placement test para saber a classe que vão cair e na terça-feira começa a aula já com matéria nova. Isso é bacana, pois é possível começar o curso de inglês toda segunda-feira. Não é necessário esperar até o início do semestre que vem para começar. Ou se você quiser estender o seu curso mais algumas semanas, a facilidade é a mesma.

Teste feito, fui colocada na turma 6 de 7 do Certificate of English! Avançado! Fiquei mega feliz, sabia que meu inglês não era tudo, mas dá aquele medinho de depois de sei-lá-quanto tempo estudando inglês aqui e ali, lendo, assistindo filmes, etc, você ser colocado no básico dos básicos. Sabendo seu nível, você pode escolher se quer ter aulas no período da manhã (das 8h30 às 12h10) ou da tarde (das 14h10 às 17h50).

As aulas são mega interativas, com muita conversação e treino, e você percebe que aquele teste inicial para saber em que classe você iria ficar é certeiro, incrivelmente parece que todo mundo sabe quase o mesmo tanto. Uns melhores na gramática, outros na fala, mas no geral, níveis bem parecidos.

Pessoas do mundo inteiro, sobretudo coreanos (sério! muitos!) dividindo o mesmo espaço e com um objetivo em comum: aprender a falar inglês. Jovens, a maioria da minha idade (tenho 24 anos!), uns mais novos, outros mais velhos. Muitos estudantes optaram por ficar no dormitório da Embassy (ou dorm, como chamam aqui) que fica na 125th Street. Normalmente são os alunos que estão de férias do emprego e aproveitaram esse tempo para passar um ou dois meses em Nova York aprendendo inglês e fazendo novos amigos.

Aos pouquinhos conto mais curiosidades sobre o meu curso de inglês, o que estou achando e como é fácil para você também vir para cá aprender inglês na cidade que nunca dorme e onde tudo acontece!

Night in the city

Before I came here, I had had to think about accommodation. There were two options - Homestay, or rent a flat. I didn't know anyone in NZ and didn't want to get into any trouble at first so I decided on Homestay.

My Homestay house was in New Lynn. I didn't have enough money, and was too tired during first month here so I always went home as soon as school finished. I sometimes wanted to stay in the evening, and look around the city at night.

After a month I moved to the city, and now have time to look around. My Homestay host Julie was so kind and very good to me so moving out of her house was not easy...Thinking of living in the city made me forget about all the bad thoughts.

Anyway I usually go to bed around 11pm, but I couldn't sleep this Monday because I had taken a nap for 3 hours that day. I thought it'd be better go out and take some pictures of the city than lie on the bed trying to get to sleep.

In Korea, the night, especially near the university, is busy and very active. University students in Korea don't have enough time to enjoy teenage life so they want to hang out more often to make up what they've gone through in highschool.

I just went out holding my digital camera. My flat is so close to the school.It takes only 30 seconds to get to school from my room. ^^

There is also a good Korean supermarket and restaurants on Queen street so it is really convenient for me to live in this house.

This is a small hill that all my flatmates hate. I walked down this hill and made a right turn. I figured that I might not be able to go too far so I decided to go just along Queen Street this night.

When I was walking down Queen Street, I saw people sitting on the street and queuing in front of the door of a white house. I didn't know what the line was for, later my friend told me that it's a place for adults.

I kept walking but there was nothing special. The only thing which made me stop to look was the colour of the light from the buildings.

I walked past several buildings - The theater with its big clock, IMAX and CIVIC. I would like to go and appreciate a play some day.

The street was not busy and cold air feels so fresh. I kept walking down the street.

I don't remember the name of the street but it stopped me walking and made me turn to head there. There were several pubs and people were talking happily sitting around the table outside the building (I should've looked at the sign of the pub carefully...). Inside the pub there was a band playing some songs. I was sitting on a bench in the middle of the street listening to the music for a while because I love to listened to live songs. Can you find a person who wears a red shirt and short pants?

I thought she was a woman when I saw her first in the distance... But it turned out that she was a man who was bold and put on make-up and did dancing. I had to leave there becuase he was coming close to me...Honestly, I was a little scared when I saw him up close. Anyway, I turned to home then and realized that I became to feel good - maybe thanks to a little cold air and the songs. I just thought that I had rushed myself too much and would be better to relax and take my time.

On the way back home I thought nothing. I just felt the night. Doing somthing for a change is always good, I think. I usually play basketball when I get stressed out and I think walking is another good way. What do you usually do when you feel tired of something guys? Please let me know. I want to give it a shot.

I wish all the best for everyone!

Accommodation at Embassy Auckland

There are two main types of accommodation when you are taking an exchange course: you can either choose a Homestay family, to live with, or you can share a flat with other students (or even live by yourself in a single room). Choosing the best one depends entirely on the kind of person you are. Independent people might find better to live alone or to share an apartment, whereas dependent ones would feel more comfortable living with a Homestay family.

I personally had both types of experiences. In the beginning of my course, I used to live with a typical New Zealander family. My host-mother was a Kiwi and my host-father was originally from England, but has been living here for more than thirty years.

They were a welcoming and very sympathetic couple, and I was really well treated. They had four young adult children, and every once in a while they had dinner in the house. It was a great opportunity for not only practicing English with native speakers, but also for having insights about life in New Zealand and its culture in general. If you are lucky enough, you can actually even become friends with your host-brothers. This happens quite often in New Zealand, as I said before, New Zealanders are very friendly in general.

After a certain period of time, students prefer to live downtown, or in a place located near school. Auckland is a very spread out city, and distances can be long and quite time consuming. So, nowadays I am living in a single room in the city. It is more convenient because you have everything you need just meters away (you can easily walk everywhere downtown).

The disadvantage is that you have to do everything by yourself (all your cooking, dishes, laundry, etc.). However, you can have more privacy and more opportunity to meet people from all over the world other than just school. In my case, I can talk to Japanese, Russian, Colombian and Chinese students who are in the same building, and share information about our countries.

No matter what type of accommodation you choose, there will always be the chance to improve your English and, mostly important, to mature.

by Andre Campos

Read more about the accommodation options at Embassy Auckland school of English.

Big Move!!

When you move, you usually need to bring big things and need a large amount of money. Bringing big stuff from your former house or a store to your new house is hard work. If you ask the company to help your move, or buy new things, you have to spend a lot of money. I just moved the other day and it was such a big move. To tell the truth in advance, I do not have such a large amount of money.

My new house only had a fridge-freezer, microwave, electric stove, and mattress. Before I began my new life there with my two friends, we discussed what the most necessary things are in the first few days. Our answer was mattresses and bedsheets. Then, our discussion went on about our need for desks and a dining table and chairs. Everything must be expensive if we buy them. Again, I can not afford to pay big prices.

However, I had prepared secret strategies since I decided the day of my move. After we brought our baggage to our new house, we went to Kent in my friend's car. Kent is a place located in the north-eastern part of Tacoma. A person who wants to give me a mattress lives in Kent. I got this information from the internet. We did not expect the mattress to be clean and in good condition. However, to our astonishment, it was a shiny black, gorgeous, queen sized, and free. Someone gets a good thing that someone does not need anymore. What a beautiful system!

However, the only problem for the mattress is that it was too big to go inside the car. We changed our plan, and put the mattress on the car and hung on to it using our arms. When we were driving on the freeway, our arms were numb because the strong power of the wind was lifting the mattress up against our arms' power. Obviously, we bought a rope to tie it up afterwards. We stopped in Puyallup and got another mattress for ten bucks.

The other day, I went on a trip to get a desk for studying. The destination was a store thirty blocks away from my house. At this time, I did not have my friend's help. After I bought a desk and chair quickly, I put them on a wheel barrow which I brought from my house, and bound them very firmly. My long trip started. For me, normally, the distance from 15oth street to 120th street is not too far, but the heavy stuff and strong sunshine made me tired. People who passed me on the street looked at me and smiled. At intersections, drivers stopped the car for me and gave me a smile. I like to see the people that.

I had been looking for a dining room table and chairs on the internet, but I had given up. Sometimes I found a cheap one that someone was selling, but I had to give up as the location was too far or another person already bought them when I contacted the owner. Finally, I found a good and cheap one and immediately went to the house. I was listening to the directions on the phone and it was near Pacific Ave., the main street in Tacoma. "It's not too far!" I thought. However, I was still walking down along the street even though one hour had passed after I got off the bus on Pacific Ave. I made a left and another left, and went down another street, and made a left again. At last, I saw the family who were selling the table. They had been thinking that I was coming to their house by car. They laughed at me and were impressed by my attitude that I would walk back to my house with the heavy stuff. Consequently, they discounted the price of the table, gave me two Cokes, and added a toaster oven that I was planning to buy later. In addition, they brought me back to my house with all of the stuff by car.

Again, when you start a new life, you need a la rge amount of money for moving or buying new things. Paying  a big money is the easiest and fastest way. However, there is another way to use your body and time. Doing it yourself is the cheapest and a beautiful way to connect with other people.

Independence day

Today is a national holiday, here in the United States. The country celebrates the Declaration of the Independence which took place the 4th of July, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence day is commonly associated with fireworks, picnics, parades, baseball games...

In Fort Lauderdale, big fireworks were scheduled at 9 p.m at the Beach Boulevard. This afternoon it started raining, so I was a little bit worried because fireworks and rain don't go together. But, fortunately, the fireworks took place and it stopped raining!! There were fireworks in different places. It was great!! The sky was full of lights, colors......I went there with my neighbors and my family, who arrived last Saturday. We had a great night. We also prepared a barbecue.  The Green Island Inn, the student residence where live a lot of students from Embassy CES, organized a big barbecue, too.

On the other hand, this week I started my classes again, after 15 days of break. I was glad to see again my "old friends " and to have the opportunity to meet new people!!

Sonia