Experiences in a foreign country: Helensburgh in Scotland

My name is Tom Krüger and I am currently a student and German assistant at Lomond School in Helensburgh in Scotland. Last year, I was in the 10^th grade of the Gymnasium at Wilhelm Löhe School and decided to spend one year abroad. Thanks to the German assistant programme, which is offered to the school every year, I have now the possibility to enjoy new and exciting experiences. There are some differences compared to the German school system; students can choose doing just five subjects in their senior year here. I study German Business Management, History, Mathematics and English. Every subject is being taught five times a week and lessons are about one hour long. So you can learn much more about different topics because there is more time to discuss them and study them in detail. The class sizes are smaller than in Germany with just 10 to 15 participants. Modern media is a very important point of the lessons and so we often work with smart boards, laptops and computers which the school provides. In Germany, Math and Sciences are harder but we have nothing comparable to subjects like Business Management. School is from 8.30 to 16.30 and you have to study for two hours in the evenings. Another significant difference is that extra-curricular activities are much more important in Scotland. The students are proud of being part of the school and take part in social events enthusiastically and they are often honoured in front of the school community. 

I live in the boarding house of Lomond School in Helensburgh. There are about 60 boarders, students of different ages and from different countries, e.g. from China, Hong Kong, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia and Slovakia. In addition, we have tutors from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and England. I share my room with a Chinese boy from Hong Kong. It is great because you get in touch with so many different cultures, listen to many exciting stories and interesting facts. At weekends, the boarding house offers a range of trips to famous places, e.g. museums, sights, universities etc., a range of sport events, e.g. hockey, mountain biking and activities like hill running/walking, paintball. If you want to relax you can just stay in the boarding house and watch a movie in one of the five TV rooms. 

There are four housekeepers and a lot of other staff, who take care of the boarders. The laundry is done for you and your room is cleaned every day. Three meals are served per day in the dining hall and if you are hungry during the day you can have fruit or snacks. The staff are very strict with you leaving the house, so you have to ask for permission every time… The girls’ rooms and the boys’ rooms are on different floors and you are not allowed to visit the rooms of the other gender. 

Rugby for boys and hockey for girls are the most popular sports at Lomond, even so there are plenty of other possibilities like Badminton or Judo. Training is two times a week and there is a match on every Saturday morning. After the weekend on Monday morning, the captains of the Rugby or the Hockey team give information in front of the whole school about the performance and the results of the different matches. 

Well, my first three months here are nearly finished and I have to say that the decision spending one year in Scotland was right. I will have gained the United Kingdom Higher Qualification after this year and my feeling for the English language improves in big steps every day. I have made a lot of new friends here many of them from foreign countries and have learned a lot about different cultures. I can only advise anyone who thinks about doing something similar to go abroad and to make such unique experiences.

Tom Krüger