Diana Lopez

Following our last blog, you will know that we have two students in our office at the moment, here is the second one from Diana, a young Portuguese student who arrived here last weekend - she has overcome her fears and trepidation's and has already tackled many new tasks with us. So here, once again, in her own words...

My name is Diana Lopez, I come from Portugal. 

I found several difficulties along the way but I overcame them with the help of a friend who had made the same journey as me.

Before coming here I was curious and nervous about England. I had a long and tiring journey, but when I got here I realized that this location was nice. nice and warm in the physical aspect because most of the people I spoke with, ask for information or other things, were nice.

England is beautiful, while traveling to Torquay, I loved seeing the churches, houses, Big Ben, gardens, etc.

Not strange to see the car driving on the other side because already knew it was so.

I was afraid that my family was not nice or not like me, fear I would not get used to the routines, the food, the culture... I was afraid that the people in the company where I am interning not like me, fear of not getting the notice or making blunders and even as I write it continues to test these fears.

But I know that this is a good experience where I will learn many new things, I will improve a little English, maybe make friends and overcome all my fears to grow as a person. 

I will return to Portugal different and stronger.

Manon

We have two students in our office at the moment, here is the first blog from Manon, a young French student who arrived here on 6th January - she has settled in really well and is already proving a real asset! Particularly when she translated what the different centres were for the beautiful French Chocolates we were given! So here, in her own words...

Hey, my name is Manon I am 17 and I come from France.

In fact, I did not expect to come to Torquay.

Then I made the request at my high school and I was accepted, but in my head I was afraid of the climate and English food.

Once in Bristol, I and six other students were a little lost because everything had changed, such as language, but especially the English driving to right.

Once in place in our family, my two friends and I were at a single lady. She had prepared a room for three, so it was perfect...

The next day we had a meeting in TTPL. In the afternoon, we all had was in our internship I work in TTPL, Gemma showed me where I was working and it was very interesting, people who have worked with me was very interesting, very pleasant, but especially listen, I loved working here. What had been a little more difficult is that the computer keyboard was different, than in France...

On my free time, my two friends and I are going to visit Torquay, and around, for example, Paignton, Exeter to take souvenir photos. In fact, we were very surprised by the time we thought it was more cold and raining more often.

Also surprised by the food itself was very good, our host family was great, the lady did everything to welcome us to help us learn the language, she lead us to the pool or otherwise shopping. In the evening, she talks a lot for us to learn more things about England and even learn new words...

Every Thursday TTPL organized a meeting for the students it was great because we met people from elsewhere, from different countries.

The English were very welcoming, friendly. Here there are no prejudices and everyone is free to wear the clothes he likes without shame ... I love it!

I hope to return because this experience taught me a lot and made progress in the English language and my culture.

I also hope to come back to see my host family because I feel loved...