Life abroad in Bournemouth

Report by
Guest

Hiya, my name is Seraina and I am now since ca. 7 months in Bournemouth a little town in the south of England.

Honestly, I am really having one of the best time in my life. An exchange years is just such a good experience and you should definitely do it, if you got the chance to. It makes you more confident, mature and you just learn a different culture and of course a new language. 

I am going to an Academy and visiting the sixth form (16 years+). You got loads of different subjects to choose, my ones are BTEC sport, music, art and psychology. Btec basicially means that you just got course work to do and no exams, it sounds really nice but you will just get loads of homework to do... However if you do A levels you wont get soo much homework but you will have exams (depends on how long you will stay) in the end of the school year. 

The reason why I came to England is basicially that my parents didnt allow me to go to Australia (where I really wanted to go) so I just thought I will go to England but somewhere with a sea, so I can go surfing. So now, I am in Bournemouth a really nice, sunny city without much rain. The sea is 20mins away from my house so I can go running along the beach, or go surfing if there is any good swell ;-). And now after 7 months I am just soo happy that I am here. It is really scary how quick the time goes on here, if I could only slow down the time a little bit... 

In your spare time you got different activities to do. You can go to town and go shopping around or hang out infront of Mc Donalds like the cool kids always do.. lol. I prefer more to go to the gym, doing sports and going out with my friends. Also skating along the beach is just super awesome. There are loads of different activities you can do here. 

Homesick. To be honest, I have never been homesick. But I think that really depends on your own personality and if you are a open person and if you are easy going or not. I am more the person, who gets along with it and be happy every day and enjoying the time. Also I have a perfect host family and really feel like in a second home with them. 

Friends. The english people are quite open and friendly, however some arent that open at the beginning, so it depends again on you. I just suggest to be really open and start a conversation. After a few weeks I already had some really good friendships.  

Summary

During an exchange year you will meet many people from all over the world, you will get a second home, new friends and you will dream in a different language and if this doesnt sound great, then I dunno. Just do it and you can write a new exciting chapter in your life book.  

xx

Seraina