the end...almost!

I feel released that it’s almost the end (but still a week left…!).
I learnt a lot humanly. I learnt to be very indulgent of the others, to support some people^^’’’, that's the main point I will never forget.
And about the languages, I think that my Dutch has improved because I talked to students. Yes, I did. But I don’t think my English has really improved even if I learnt a lot. We saw a lot of new vocabulary and English literature (Romantic, Gothic and Victorian Age), really exciting but hard…

If I had to do it again I definitely wouldn’t go there again and I would prefer to follow courses which start in January and not earlier.

Even if there are many negative points, it was still a good experience to live.

pfff Leuven

When you read my titel you can think that I didn't enjoy going to Leuven. But it's the opposite. Even though we had and still have a lot of work, I really enjoyed going and follow classes in Leuven. Students and teachers are all opened and funny.
Personally I can't see if I have evolved with my language but with my experience as a teacher defenitely. My last training was one of my best trainings.
I don't have any reagrets with my choice of Leuven. I will even recomend it.

But you will hear more about it on Monday. So see you all....

Julie

My experience is reaching the end

Hi!

My experience at EHSAL is reaching the end… almost. I have still one week at EHSAL, than it’s finished. I learnt a lot of things, especially concerning other students and also (and perhaps the most important in this exchange program), I learnt a lot about the culture and the traditions of Flemish people. But I have to say that, if I had to do it again, I will not choose to do it because I did it once. Perhaps I will choose to go abroad (the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Spain …). This experience was wholesome because I learnt more than I expected. I don’t know if this incredible experience has changed me but I’m convinced I have evolved. I will always keep in my memory a lot of things, especially the “culture week”, the English course and, of course, my friends.

See you on Tuesday!

Kevin

Hello everybody!

I hope you're all doing well!

Well, well, well... I'm surpriesed to read all the students who went abroad have experienced a lot of things in terms of personality, education and other stuff (especially you Aswin). I wouldn't say that much about my experience, and therefore I don't think I've changed.

Leuven is surely a great city regarding its history, architectural monuments, and so on, but what makes this city even greater is that it's very open-minded culturally speaking, offering many study branches to students all over the world. It impressed me and I appreciate it a lot!

Actually, my experience will reach the end on the 30th of May. Till now, I haven't learnt anything new (except in literature courses) apart from the fact that I've deepend my skills in methodology. Seeing that I've never had literature courses to use in classroom and that we had at Groep T, I would definitely use literature in my class because I learnt many things about how you can teach literature by using varied didactical material and enjoy it with your pupills, REAL FUN!

I will always keep in mind the childish behaviour of flemish students at Groep T, it's so cute! Another person I won't forget at Groep T is the English teacher because of his incredible knowledge of everything!

Even though I think I haven't learnt much except in literature courses, I would do this experience one more time because of the quality of the courses given at Groep T.

I'm looking sooooo forward to seeing you guys on the 20th.

See you then!

Mel.

Back in Belgium

Hello everybody,

I'm back since the 30th of April. I'm happy I'm back but I still want to improve my English. I think that if I would have learnt more, I should have stayed 3 more months. I'm still happy because I learnt a lot (social side, methodological side, language,...)
It is an experience I think everybody has to do. Even if, for me, it ended badly, it's still positive. If I have to do it again, and I think I will for other languages, I'll have my own flat and that's it.
I don't think this experience will interfere in my way of teaching because I teached in a primary school. I'll maybe be more creative. That's a good point.
I will always keep in memory the way Irish people act, in the beginning and in the end. They are great, open-minded and very welcoming people. But their legendary anger is not a legend. It is real.
This country has to be seen just for its landscapes. I think staying in Ireland one month is enough. Maybe I met special people, I don't know. I'm just a bit disapointed about the way some people can react. But some other are just so kind. I just can't make up my mind.

I repeat myself, it was still a very good experience and I'm happy to have been there.

Now, only one month left, thesis, assessments to finish, exams to study...Good luck to everybody!!!

See you all on Monday.

Gwennaëlle

It's not yet the end :)

Hello! What are my feelings? Mhhh, I'll say I've got mixed feelings. On the one hand, I'm waiting for the end because I'm exhausted and on the other hand I can say I'm happy because I learnt a lot. First I learnt a lot about my own possibilities, I learnt to adapt myself to a new environment and to know new people. I also learnt a lot about the different courses given in Mechelen. In literature, we deepened our knowledges about the Gothic, the romantic and the Victorian age,... In Dutch we saw new methodological techniques,etc. I'll certainly use these techniques during the lessons I'll give!

See you soon,

Blandine

It's the end

Hi everybody!!!!!!!!!!

3 weeks left and it's finished.... Well, what can I say about this experience????
I think my English has improved bacause the level there is very high.
I particularly enjoyed the last week: the cultural week. Each group had to present a part of Brussels, Gent or Antwerpen. I learnt to know better some students of the flamish school. The weather was not always ok but the atmosphere was really nice (hum hum Glenn ;-) ) lol.
Concerning the different courses we followed I can't say I learnt a lot but it's always good to improve your Dutch so...
If I had to do it once again, why not but I'll choose other courses for example a psychology course or something about the British and Dutch culture.
To be honest I'm happy it's almost finished because I miss some students and teachers at the ISPG...

See you soon !!!!!!!

Vanessa