Angol kapcsolat

Diákcsere 2007.10. 20-25. - angol diákok Budapesten

Mikor először felfigyeltem az iskolai faliújság hirdetésére, miszerint diákcsere keretében hamarosan hazánkba érkezik néhány angol tanuló, tudtam, ilyen élményt nem szabad kihagyni, azonnal jelentkeztem fogadónak...

Bátran mondhatom, megérte és mindenkit csak hasonló döntésre tudok biztatni, hiszen nagyszerű dolog ilyen módon felfedezni egy másik nemzet szokásait, kultúráját és ilyen közvetlenül beszélgetni, külföldi kapcsolatokat, barátokat szerezni.

A következő néhány sorban egy kis összefoglalót olvashattok arről a hétről, amit az angol diákok töltöttek nálunk, Budapesten.

Az én vendégem egy tizenhat éves londoni lány volt, aki a társaival együtt a St. Margaret Középiskola tanulója. Hála az iskolánk által biztosított nyelvtudásnak, kommunikációs problémáink szinte egyáltalán nem voltak, annak ellenére, hogy rengetek szleng szót használt és nagyon gyorsan beszélt. Nagyon sokmindenről tudtunk beszélgetni, néha késő éjjelig is, hiszen rengeteg kérdésünk volt egymás számára. A két ország szokásai, kultúrája nagyon különböző és mindketten igyekeztünk minél többet megtudni a másikról, minél jobban megismerni egymást. Úgy gondolom, kellemes és tartalmas hetet töltöttek velünk, miközben megismerhették a magyar szokásokat, ételeket, a főváros és a környező települések legfontosabb nevezetességeit és megtapasztalhatták a magyarok vendégszeretetét, hiszen mindent megtettünk azért, hogy ezt a hetet felejthetetlenné tegyük számukra.

Jártak a visgrádi középkori várjátékokon, sétahajókázni a Dunán, a Carmina Burana balettelőadáson, voltunk együtt a Vidámparkaban a miskolci barlangfürdőben, a Zwack Múzeumban és még sok ehhez hasonló, érdekes programban volt részük. Nagyon élvezték a programokat és sajnálták, hogy csak ilyen rövid időt tölthettek Magyarországon ,de megígérték, hogy egyszer mindenképp visszatérnek egy kicsit hosszabb időre.

A sok jó dolog mellett persze azért fárasztó is volt ez a hét, mert amíg a vendégek Pesten vagy Visegrádon kirándultak, nekünk az óráinkra kellett készülnünk és persze a cserediák sem lehet mentség egy-egy töri dolgozat alól...

Mindent összevetve, nagyon jó, élményekben gazdag hét volt. Mindenkinek azt tanácsolom, hogy ha lehetősége van külföldi cserediákot fogadni, ragadja meg az alkalmat, mert aki nem vesz részt benne, nem tudja mit veszít.

Az angol lányok szerencsére nagyon kedvesek, közvetlenek és barátságosak voltak, többjükkel még mai napig is tarom a kapcsolatot. Örülök hogy új embereket ismerhettem meg és új barátokat szerezhettem.

Köszönöm mindenkinek, aki részt vett ebben és segített, hogy ez a diákcsere megvalósulhasson, mindannyiunknak életre szóló élményeket szerezve.

Guest: Freddie Ronchetti (England)
Host: Borbála Bácsi (Hungary)

This was not the first time that I had an exchange student, I had a Belgian student last year. This time I was really happy to have an English student, because it is better to practise the language and I love England. But when my exchange student had just left I realised that I have a new friend and I really enjoyed her stay.

My guest was Freddie Ronchetti. Before they arrived we had already talked on the Internet. She said she was relieved to have me. And I thought the same. She was really talkative and nice, we were talking everytime about everything. I think she liked the programmes what my family organized for her and she didn't mind the school organizations. The most I liked the day when we were at the Funfair and then we went to watch a movie. This day was really fun and it was about getting together and to get to know each other. (I mean the whole group) The best programme what my family organised was the resturant I suppose. It was a pirate restaurant, and we ordered a surprise for her. Everything went dark, and a man wearing black hood and a gold mask gave her a big cake. Everyone was applausing for her. I think it was really memorable. We had a lot of programmes such as going to the movies, having a party with the whole group, we went on a sight seeing tour, a trip to Visegrád (just the exchange students), visiting sights like the Parlament, going on a ship trip and so on. We didn't even have any boring moment which is really good. And we didn't have unnecessary tasks to do.

I cant really say any bad experience which i would have during they stay.

They were amased by the school , they said it is really big and well-equipped. Among people including the english and hungarian group there were problems and arguments but we can forgot it because all in one it was a really really good experince, and if I had the chance to make this decision again whether I want to host her or not I wouldn't hesitate, I would say yes immediately. I miss her because she became a really good friend - I hope I can say that. We like the same things and we dislike the same things, it's just an advantage in this case.

As it wasnt my first time I had a student to stay at my house, it wasnt so strange to me. It is always a risk who will you get, but it's 50% to have the right person whom we like each other with and can talk with and so on. I have learned a lot of things from Freddie, a lot of phrases and words they use that i havent known yet.

So all in one I am really happy to had the chance to host her, and I'd like to thank to my teacher and my school, it was one of my best experiences ever, and it's going to be the other to go to London.

Freddie & Bori

Something never to forget

I had been looking forward to this trip for ages, as I love England as it is. It was not my first time spent there, however I enjoyed it as much as if it was.

I tried not to picture the St. Margaret School before we got there just for the sake of the surprise, and so I didn't. It was a well positive impression I got as soon as we arrived into the school though it was at night time. I also told Katherine and the others how much I like their school, in the first few minutes. Next day when I could also see it properly was an even bigger surprise. All in all I really liked it inside as well as outside. I had also taken part on a philosophy lesson that was kind of new experience for me as I have never been on one. I enjoyed it and was impressed by the atmosphere of it. I just can't wait the next school-year to start learning this subject.

The first day's Camden Town was a real good choice to start the week with. The never-ending shopping seemed to appeal to everyone. All my schoolmates along with me returned with hundreds of gifts and gewgaws that definitely put a smile onto everyone's face.

The boat trip on the Little Venice was one of my favourites. Those cute boats cruising through the streets of London will never disappear from my mind.

Although I had never heard of the Abbey in St. Albans and the city itself before, it is just something that really surprised me and where I would return at any time. This tiny city or whatever sent me into another world while we were there and time seemed to pass much quicker. No matter it was raining we still had an efficient piece of sightseeing during which we walked through the whole city getting soaked to the bone, though none of us regretted it.

As always, it was pissing down with rain so much in London as well during the boat trip on the River Thames and so noone felt like going upstairs to enjoy the view of the city while standing on the terrace, except me... I could not just sit inside. I didn't care about the weather and ran upstairs. I believe that we always have to take the most of the things we do, especially if that thing is not given us every day. I am happy that I did follow this motto of mine again as it was awesome what I could see. It was just the same with the London Eye. As I have already mentioned I have once been in London before but these two things were that I had missed last time...

Having seen all those paintings that everyone wants to see at least once in his/her life, was something I was over the moon with. What I mean is that I always dreamt about seeing the paintings of the impressionists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Pisarro, Cezanne, etc. Though there was only one painting of my favourite painter, Toulouse Latrec, I still had to hold my scream back that I nearly made when I had just recognised it. Seeing also those pictures that I had been learning about lately at the lessons of history of art, was impressing. It was a real pity that we did not have more time but only one hour in the National Gallery. Next time in London I will definitely return there to make this up!

Being a proper theatre-goer, lover and practicer, I got absolutely speechless after the applause of Lion King...it was classic!!! Well done Lyceum Theatre!!! The special dresses, the make-up, the staff, as well as the professional way how the actors and actress imitated the animals... I also really apprechiated the way the wardrobe and stylists solved the problem of having to represent animals. During the play I got into an absolute dream world and if I could I would have definitely stayed there in one sit to watch it again right after the performance ended. I wish one day I was standing on that stage in the role of Nala. It was an unforgettable experience that will last a life time!!!

I don't know where to start about the Windsor Castle that was my absolute favourite. If something could really make me to forget about time and if I could be immersed in something at all...then it was this castle for sure! Even for the first sight (from outside) it raised my attention, not to mention the second when I started my torr inside it, when my attention run up to the extreme and stayed there for long hours. The Queen's Dolls House was really cute and that was where I lost the group ... that much that I could not catch up with them all the way long in the castle (to be honest I did not even want to). It ended up in finishing my tour inside 45 mins later than all the others...somehow I did not feel as if I would have had to say sorry for this to the others. So I did not.

Dear Reader, I hope it came across to you, while reading my composition how much I enjoyed this trip. To be honest looking back to this week I had nothing to complain about. I might had a different opinion at that time when I was there, but by now I allege it was a wonderful week which comprised eye-opening experiences, educational insights and most of all a thoroughly fulfilling aquintance with a new culture and lifestyle.

I would like to thank the school for providing me this opportunity that broadened my knowledge and understanding of England. I just hope that others can benefit and appreciate what I have, in the future.

Szőke Zsuzsanna
12.b

My exchange week in London

Last October I hosted an English girl in Budapest for one week, and my visit to London took place in March, 2008. I was extremely thrilled before the journey as I had been dreaming of visiting this wonderful city for a very long time before. My suitcase was already packed a week before the departure's day.

And finally the day had come, we got on the plane and flew straight to London. My impression when I first looked up at St. Margaret's School's romantic building was fabulous. We arrived in the evening so I was quite tired, but since my host family was so welcoming that I hardly wanted to go to bed. When I finally fell asleep I felt such a big pleasure that I got one of my life's best night's sleeps.

And from the next day on, our programme was so colourful and busy that I did not really have time to meditate in my bed. I acted a very grateful tourist all week and enjoyed every moment of my stay.

The school organised beautiful programmes for us, we visited London's most famous attractions as well as the theatre which was very special to me. We saw the musical 'The Lion King' on West End. One day we went to visit our hosts' lessons at school and that was incredibly impressive, too. I was also presented with a ticket to the musical 'Wicked' from my host girl, and I will definitely never forget that night.

All in all, I'm very thankful for the oppurtunity that I could take part in this programme, and I'm looking forward to visiting as many more places as possible in the future.

Adél Henrietta Ruza