Bright green grass, puffy white clouds and skies of endless blue. England. North Yorkshire, Harrogate to be exact – on the days it did not rain! The trip was a wonderful experience, a chance to improve our English and get to know each other a bit better as a class. And we did. Most of us learned to speak with a little more confidence and we gained a little extra knowledge of the British culture, not just because of the school lessons, but also because of our homestays. The families were all very hospitable and kind, we were all very grateful that they let us into their lives, so we could see day-to-day British customs.
Three times ninety minutes per day: The classes were very informative and well structured. We even had exams at the end. A writing, listening and reading exam as well as a presentation. Compared to our Swiss school routine though, it was a luxury. We could sleep in or go for a jog before school and had enough time to hang out in town after class too, to go for a scone and tea at Betty’s, walk around and explore or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the little town (even though there was a huge cycling event going on in the first week).
We were even able to go on some trips outside Harrogate which were a lot of fun. A coach ride to Whitby and the train rides to Knaresborough and York gave us enough time to chat and play silly games. As Whitby is a seaside town, we got to see the beach and eat the famous British fish and chips! The old ruins of Whitby Abby were astonishingly beautiful, and we were also privileged to visit the Captain Cook Memorial museum. Knaresborough’s viaduct was impressive and the stories of Mother Shipton are also worth mentioning (let’s hope the bridge doesn’t break a third time – since I don’t want the world end!). And then of course there was York. Its cathedral was honestly one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen, the colorful glass windows, high ceilings and engravings in the wall were mesmerizing.
We went to the movies, climbing and for dinner at Zizzi’s together; a restaurant with not just delicious food, but incredibly nice staff too. All in all, the trip was a great success. Lots of laughs were had and lots of memories made. We’ll never forget the great experience, welcoming families and beautiful landscapes of Harrogate.
Lilli Düvel, 3i
