Tag Archives: nationality mix

Visits to Ukraine and Russia

International life

Blog by More Than English co-owner: David Meddows

One summer, when I was 8 years old my parents took me to the Austrian mountain resort of Mayrhofen where we spent a week walking in the mountains. This experience made a big impression on me. The people, the language, the sublime mountain scenery and new foods that we’d never experienced before such as the unforgettable apple strudel. This is where my love of experiencing other cultures began and I will always be grateful to my parents for giving me this opportunity.

That passion for reaching the hand of friendship across borders is what inspires our work here at More Than English today. We love historic Ludlow: the home of More Than English in the heart of England. However, sometimes, it is very refreshing to travel and see somewhere different. This month, team members from More Than English were lucky enough to visit Russia and Ukraine.

Travel with a purpose

Travelling on business means double the pleasure, You meet much more people than when you are on holiday. Also, on the way to meetings, you pass by incredible sights. Here’s what we saw:

Kyiv captial of Ukraine

Have you ever seen a cathedral like this before? St Michael’s Golden Domed Cathedral was renovated in 1999. The outside is a stunning example of baroque style:

St Michael’s Golden Domed Cathedral

Moscow

Nothing can prepare you for when you turn the corner at the end of Nikolskaya street and see Red Square:

  • Red Square
  • View from inside St Basil’s
  • St Basil’s Cathedral

Next we took the incredible Sapsan train from Moscow to St Petersburg: it looks like a rocket and it goes like a rocket. Imagine that it took less than 4 hours to travel in comfort from Moscow to St Petersburg.

  • The famous Sapsan super train

St Petersburg

You have probably heard that St Petersburg is a beautiful city. However, nothing can prepare you for how beautiful it really is. Perhaps St Petersburg is the most beautiful city in the world and certainly it is on a scale that challenges your imagination. We cannot think of another city in the world where you can see so many fine buildings in one place.

  • Kazan Cathedral

The splendour does not end even when you go below ground. Here is the St Petersburg underground:

  • Elegant lighting
  • Mayakoskaya Metro Station
  • Functional & beautiful: air ventilation system
  • Claire from More Than English

Food

After all of that travelling we got very hungry and tried many different foods, but there was one very simple one that we loved: black bread! It’s very filling and highly nutritious… in one inventive cafe they even used it as a bowl for soup!

  • Super healthy black bread
  • David from More Than English

People

What links a trip to the Ukraine and a trip to Russia? There are many things but one thing above all: if you go to either place, expect a warm welcome. If you only stop for a minute to look at a map of the underground in either country, someone will offer you help. So even when the temperatures are a little low in the middle of winter, you won’t feel the cold.

The next generation of travellers

Feeling the spirit of international friendship is also a magical experience for the students at More Than English. This year our students, who live and study together on one campus, were from 17 countries: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, Ukraine and the UK.   In addition to learning to use their English in new ways our students took a step on an international journey that will continue for a life time. Now, we’re looking forward to bringing the world a little closer together on summer school 2020!

A surprise around every corner: inside St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square. Only 4 people in this incredible choir.

Education Experts in London

ALPHE, London: 2 days. 32 meetings.

This weekend, we were delighted to attend ST ALPHE UK, an education event  in London.

Over two days representatives from More Than English had meetings with 32 education agency representatives from around the world.

Meeting these experts is really useful. It is an opportunity to discuss everything from Get Ahead study options to airport transfers.

We get feedback from established partners, which helps us to always improve the summer school. We also make contact with new partners, which allows us to expand the nationality mix at More Than English even more.

Does it work? Yes it does! This summer, 2018, we received students from 18 countries on one campus!

More Than English nationality mix 2018

Latin America                        

Brazil, Mexico

Asia                            

China, Japan

Middle East                           

Lebanon

Central Europe                                 

Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine

Western Europe                               

Denmark, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK

Warning: English joke

This year, we were also lucky enough to see James Bond when we stepped outside the conference hall.

007

 

Best summer school nationality mix

We work hard to create the best summer school nationality mix. Last year at More Than English we welcomed students from 16 countries on one campus:

  • Brazil
  • Lebanon
  • UK
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Lithuania
  • Czech Republic
  • Mongolia
  • Croatia
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
Best summer school nationality mix

For a better immersion experience, we look very carefully at the nationality mix when we organise:

  • Classes for English lessons
  • Accommodation
  • Teams on the activity programme

Of course, in addition to nationality, we also look carefully at level of English and age when we organise students into groups for lessons and activities. The same is true when we organise the best combinations of individual students to share bedrooms in the residences.

British students on summer school

Learning to work together in international teams is an essential 21st century skill for all young people around the world. Moreover, what is just as important as how much English you know is what you can do with the English you know. British children need to develop skills such as Speech Making, Film Making and Debating Skills just as much as students who speak English as a foreign language. All British children do Get Ahead study options with international students. Some British children take part in high level (B2, C1 and C2) English classes.

Nationality limits

We have strict limits on the number of students we accept from each country. That means it is important to book early.

Designed for individuals

Having the best summer school nationality mix is not the only important ingredient for creating a complete English immersion environment. Another important point is the fact that we only accept individual students never groups. This means that when students arrive they are ‘all in the same boat’. In other words, they have to make new friends from other countries.

Design your course today

Everybody is different: that is why at More Than English you can design your own programme choosing your own excursions and study options. To design your perfect summer school experience use our Online Course Builder and reserve your place today.

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