Farewell to our Study Abroad Students

This week we celebrated our Study Abroad Students from Brazil by holding an assembly for all our International Students. We were able to farewell Pedro, Marina, Lorenzzo and Caio. 

These students have made a real contribution to our school and become really popular amongst our senior students. We thank them for visiting us for a semester and also thank their wonderful homestay hosts. Travel well and always remember fondly your time at BSC.

Ms Bolton

Homestay Coordinator, Student International Program

Marina – My Experience as a Student doing Study Abroad in Australia and with Brighton Secondary College

Moving to Australia has been one of the most exciting and challenging experiences of my life. Living in a different country has allowed me to grow as a person, become more independent, and learn about a new culture. Throughout this journey, one of the most important parts of my experience was attending my new school, BSC, and living with a host family.

One of the biggest changes was starting at BSC. At first, I was nervous because everything was different from what I was used to in Brazil. The language, the teaching style, basically everything. However, the school community was welcoming, and I quickly began to feel more comfortable. BSC has given me the opportunity to improve my English every day, meet people from different backgrounds, and develop new academic skills. The classes are engaging, and I enjoy learning in an environment that encourages participation and independence, everyone here is so friendly and very welcoming.

Another important part of my experience has been living with a host family. Sharing a home with people from a different culture can sometimes be challenging, especially when adapting to new rules, routines, and expectations. At the beginning, it took time to adjust to their way of life and understand their habits. Communication was the key during my adaptation process. And these challenges helped me become more adaptable and confident.

Living with a host family was essential at my experience, because I could completely immerse myself in Australian culture and it has taught me valuable life skills. I have learned how to communicate more effectively, respect different perspectives, and become more responsible in my daily life. I now understand Australian culture better, from the routine of an average Australian, to giving me a typical Australian birthday party. They have supported me throughout my stay and made me feel welcome in a country far from home, and made me a part of their family, which is something that I deeply appreciate.

And living in a country on the other side of the world and being a tourist at such an amazing city such as Melbourne is something that I wish everyone could live at list once in their lifetime. Just exploring the city and all it has to offer is amazing, making friends and creating wonderful memories that I will cherish for life.

Overall, my time in Australia has been a life-changing experience. Studying at BSC, living with a host family, exploring the city have helped me grow academically, socially, and personally. Although there have been challenges along the way, they have taught me important lessons and made me stronger. I will always be grateful for the memories, friendships, and experiences I have gained during my time in Australia.