Integration into an International School
While the academic year is almost coming to an end, students of the French B class were asked to recall their first impressions of the integration into the Sixth Form at Hockerill last September. From talkative Italians via “positive” stress to homesickness, international-mindedness and cultural diversity: The perspectives of both day students and boarders thereby present not only divergent but also similar points of view.
L’intégration dans l’année douze: La perspective d’un élève local Quand on a commencé l’année c’était très diffèrent pour les anciens élèves comme moi. Soudainement il y avait des nouvelles personnes qui venaient des quatre coins du monde, chacune avec ses histoires et ses particularités. Il y a les Italiens – aimantes, bavardes. Il y a les Allemands – polies, calmes. Ces personnes apportent des caractéristiques diverses au creuset qui est Hockerill – et c’est très agréable d’être entourée par cette diversité et ces différents points de vue. Bien sûr, il y a des groupes de certaines nationalités qui se retrouvent en groupes, mais ils ne sont pas hostiles du tout. Peut-être la seule difficulté est que naturellement ils veulent parler dans leur langue – c’est difficile alors pour les élèves qui ne comprennent pas un mot de cette langue ! Beaucoup des élèves étrangers n’ont pas fait les GCSEs comme nous en Angleterre, et ils sont habitués à un système scolaire complètement différent du nôtre. Cependant, ils se sont adaptés très efficacement dans notre école et le régime d’une école anglaise. Une chose à laquelle ils ne peuvent pas s’adapter, cependant, c’est la nourriture dans notre école – c’est ne pas exactement de la gastronomie à laquelle ils sont habitués ! D’abord, les anciens étudiants (y compris moi) étaient un peu intimidés par ces nouvelles têtes, mais maintenant c’est normal et on se débrouille. Personnellement j’aime connaitre beaucoup d’élèves étrangers – la vie est plus intéressante et j’en sais plus sur d’autres pays. Avec toutes ces nationalités et langues, Hockerill est un petit microcosme du monde. |
Integration into year 12: The perspective of a day student Starting the Sixth Form was really difficult for the remaining students like me who had attended Hockerill from year 7. Suddenly people from all over the world were my new classmates; each person with another background and individual stories. There are the Italians – kind and talkative – and the Germans – polite, calm. These young people contribute new characteristics to the melting pot that is Hockerill – and it is really enjoyable to be surrounded by such a diversity and different points of view. Of course, certain nationalities form groups, but they are not hostile at all. Perhaps, there is only the common difficulty of them speaking their mother tongue, which makes it difficult for the students who do not know a single word of this language. Many foreign students have not done GCSEs as we did in the UK, so they are used to a completely different school system. However, they have adapted to the system at Hockerill and in general the rules of a British school very quickly. In contrast, one of the things they probably cannot get used to is the food provided in our school which is not really comparable with the national cuisine they were used to. Additionally, the old students, myself included, were a bit intimidated by so many new people, but now everything has become natural. Personally, I like to get to know the foreign students – hence, life becomes more interesting and I learn more about other countries. Including all the nationalities and languages, Hockerill represents a microcosm on its own. |
La perspective d’une élève interne « Bon week-end ! » Ce message, écrit et envoyé par ma bonne amie allemande un jeudi (le jour avant la fête nationale et le week-end réel), me rendrait un peu désespérée. Tout de même, j’étais obligée d’aller en classe pour deux autres jours pendant qu’elle jouissait de son temps libre! |
The perspective of a boarder “Have a nice weekend!” This message, written by my friend on a Thursday afternoon (the day before our national day and the actual weekend at home) made me feel a bit desperate. After all, I was obliged to go to class for more than two days when she enjoyed her free time! Now, after attending school in the UK for more than six months, I am used to the lessons in the afternoon and new routines; my alarm is set for seven o’clock every Saturday. Looking back to my first days at Hockerill, I find that they may not have been the easiest. Living in a boarding house was unfamiliar for me, I did not know anyone and my family and friends were living about 700km away from Bishop’s Stortford, my new home. Despite the initial difficulties, I was able to integrate myself relatively quickly. After a certain time, I made good friends, I discovered the most delicious dessert in the refectory and, most importantly, I became familiar with my subjects and new teachers. |