My China Experience!

China is a country which has always fascinated me and the thought of visiting was truly a life long dream. My trip to Shanghai and Beijing was absolutely amazing. I loved the combination of ancient history and ultra-modern technology and architecture. I can honestly say that the reality of life in China far surpassed my expectations.

Travelling as a complete beginner in Chinese I was slightly concerned about what to expect when I arrived in China, but there was no need to worry! I was met at the airport by the school’s transfer driver Mr Wu who took me directly to my accommodation and after a long flight it was well worth booking this service.

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The Great Bilbao!

While you are in Bilbao you will hear for sure: “el Gran Bilbao”, as locals call their city. Its locals tend to think that their city is the best in the world, and you will always listen how they talk about the city in a very proud way! At the beginning I thought that my host family and the school were just exaggerating about the city, but then I realized they were talking seriously!!! After enjoying a month in the Great Bilbao I could understand why they talked in such a way about Bilbao.

First of all, the city has loads of things to do and see, as you could expect from a quite big city like this (don’t forget the Geggenheim museum). In addition to that, you can enjoy going to one of the nearby sandy beaches, going to the nearby green and fresh mountains or just going for a walk along the Ría of Bilbao. However, Bilbao is a city you really need to EXPERIENCE. I was there in August, in my opinion, a good time of the year for visiting this city.

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Time stands still in Cuba!

I absolutely loved my stay in Cuba and I came back home a passionate enthusiast about the Cuban way of life and culture!

I just couldn’t believe how friendly the people were! Please do contact us if you are considering a Spanish course in Cuba and have any questions about this wonderful location. I visited our school in Havana, and our team would also be happy to discuss our other Cuban courses in Trinidad and Santiago.

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Just arrived in Barcelona!

Despite feeling nervous this morning before leaving the UK, I am now in Barcelona and I am delighted to say that the journey went very smoothly. I found myself in the city centre after a short and comfortable 30 minute journey on the ‘Aerobus’ from outside the airport costing only €4.75!

Once I arrived into “Plaza Catalunya” it was a short walk to my apartment, which is located very centrally and is just on the edge of the stunning “El Barrio Gotico.” The apartment is very stylish, I have a large bedroom with a double bed and a desk, a bathroom with a bath and a shower and the walls are covered with beautiful paintings and traditional Spanish style rugs.

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Dolphins in Antibes!

A year and half ago I started to study French back in Slovakia and I found it very complicated. The most difficult language I have ever learned!!!

Luckily everything changed here in Antibes. I would never have imagined that the language could be taught in such an interesting way. In 2 months I have learned more than during 1 year back at home.

During my stay I met a lot of nice people from all over the word and we visited lot of interesting places. My most amazing experience was our visit to Marineland (the big aquatic park next to Antibes). The killer whales show was really surprising. I was impressed at how high these beautiful giant can jump. In spite of their name “killer whale” they are really friendly and affectionate. They kissed each other under the water – it was so cute.

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Dubai, the city of Gold!

Well, now I know why they call it the city of gold! First of all, they have a famous street where you can only buy gold, gold and… gold, it’s called ironically the Gold Souk! Next to this, they have beautiful and astonishing architectures. You can visit the famous Hotel Burj Al Arab (sailing ship), the remarkable Hotel Atlantis which is build in the sea and the highest building in the world: Burj Dubai (which has opened on the 4th of January 2010).

The first time I went to Dubai, I was blown away by the very hot climate, the various cultures and the experience with the high standard of living.

It was all very beautiful and sensational. It is a whole different world where you step into, a world where all impossible things are possible. The hotels and shopping malls have amazing architectures! The malls are very large and the inside is even more beautiful. Most designs are made by architects from European and other parts of the world. It is a marvelous playground for them; they can be very creative and design the craziest things which are not possible in their own country

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Antibes – Let’s go to the circus!

I’m Carmen and I come from Spain. I’ve just spent 6 weeks in a French school in Antibes. In short, everything was great!

However, I was particularly impressed, touched and delighted by one special evening I spent with my friends in Nice. We were really lucky to see the Arlette Gruss Circus show!

This is the one of the best circuses in France and it goes on tour every year, performing all over the country. It has taken a year to prepare their new show and it was performed for just one week in Nice (only 20 km from Antibes).

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Fiesta-time in Barcelona!

Hi folks!

Firstly, I would like to introduce myself: I am Genta and last year I took a Spanish course in Barcelona. I love this wonderful city! It has everything! The sun, the beach, the narrow and romantic streets, the bars and clubs, good food, festivals, the best football… You never get bored!

I was lucky enough to be there during September and La Mercè. This is a local holiday throughout Catalonia and Barcelona celebrates every year with the festival of festivals, ‘La fiesta Mayor’!

Last year, Barcelona celebrated its patron saint, the Virgin of La Mercè (the Virgin Mary) with live concerts, traditional music, dance, theatre, cinemas, street shows, circus and all kinds of different sports. I really enjoyed seeing the traditional Catalan dances, particularly the Gironese Sardana, and the castellers (human castles) were amazing!

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Lederhosen and dirndl – Oktoberfest I am coming!

Last year I did a German language course in Munich – it was really amazing! In my second week on the course, me and a few people I met whilst sightseeing went to the Theresienwiese, to see the tapping of the first barrel at Oktoberfest. It was unbelievable, with so many crazy people from all over the world. Over 6 million people, dancing, laughing, eating and DRINKING! I love the German beer and it’s so huge. They serve it in a jar (“Maß”), 1 litre per person.

Amongst the many attractions, the beer is probably the most important thing. The food is also great though. I ate different Oxen specialties, real German Bratwurst with “Kartoffelsalat” (potato salad), massive Bavarian Pretzels and the Oktoberfest special of “Händl” (grilled chicken).

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From Sorrento to Rome (and back again!)

I’m on an Italian course here in Sorrento, but I’ve actually just got back from a trip to Rome! The Eternal City. I don’t quite know why it is called the eternal city, but it is. I suppose  it has got an eternal feel to it, fabulous architecture, THE COLISEUM (incredible is an understatement), the Vatican, the museums, the food, the people, the, the, the…

Wow! Everybody should go to Rome, at least once in your life, and I suppose a lot of people do go there. In fact, it was packed with tourists and just think, we are still in the throes of winter, and a really wet and damp winter it has been so far.

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