Germany
Hi, guys! I’m Marcel or better known among the students as ‘Mr.
Ross’ - why? Better not to ask me! I’m 17 years old and I
came from Germany here to Blundell’s last September. 
I
joined for my A/S levels. I do really enjoy the friendly atmosphere here,
that’s why I came here.
The first weeks when I arrived here were a bit difficult, because I was not used to talking the whole day in English and the daily routine was very different to what I knew. Nevertheless, with the help of the English students, who are really nice, I settled in. Although I don’t have the opportunity to speak German very often, it isn’t a problem because my English improved fast at the beginning and with the help of the TESOL Department I am still improving it.
I’m
living in Petergate House and I really do like the atmosphere and relationship
between the students living there. All of the English students in Petergate
helped me a lot to settle in. Furthermore I made some new friends, too.
Mr. Berrow, the House Master, is a very helpful person and cares about
the students.
At the moment I’m studying Chemistry, Latin, Maths and Economics and I think everything is going well. If I have any problems I can go and see my teachers for help.
What was really new for me is that everybody is going to sports after school so I decided to do rugby and I do enjoy it. I played for the third team – it wasn’t as violent and crazy as I thought it was, in fact there’s quite a lot of tactics in it – if you do it properly!
What I’m planning for the future is that I stay another year here to do my ‘A2’ levels. I will return to Germany after that and I might join the police force or go to university and study Economics.
Bis bald!
Marcel
Hi, I'm Nicki Steinmetz from Frankfurt in Germany, I am 16 years old and came to Blundell's last September. We chose this school as a family when my sister decided to go to England because of its good range of subjects, activities and sports. After visiting several schools we all loved the campus, the buildings, sports fields and the generally friendly atmosphere here in Devon - the teachers and all the people we met were fun and made us feel very welcome. My sister had never really enjoyed school until she came to Blundell's.
In the first few weeks it was hard to get along with a new school system, a different language and unknown people but I quickly got used to it. After a short time I have already become sure that I wish to finish my A Levels here at Blundell's.
Living in the boarding house with many other girls means that making friends is really easy and we all get along really well. The other pupils here made me feel very welcome right from the first minute I arrived. In case you struggle with any of your work there is always someone to help you, either your House Parents, a duty teacher or other pupils.
At Blundell's I get the chance to learn new activities, for example I have started playing and enjoying hockey, but also tennis which I have played a lot before. On the academic side you get fostered and supported in the subjects you are interested in as you can specialize the choice of your studies. I'm studying Mathematics, French, Classical Civilisation and Economics. I managed to pass my GCSE English in the first term with a grade C. We are expected to work very hard but there is also a lively social time, including the Sixth Form Club and Saturday 'meal leaves' into Tiverton.
In the summer I'm going to start finding out more about English Universities from our Careers Advisor because I have settled in really well and wish to continue my education in England. My sister is going to Exeter University next year to read English and German Law but I probably will not follow her there as well!