adieu  *  abschied  *  addio  

we say farewell

to our short-stay

and exchange students 

Brunswick Secondary College enjoys a strong International Student Program where we welcome students from all over the world.  From time to time, this program is complimented by the introduction of exchange students and other short-stay students to the school.  These students typically spend shorter periods away from their country of origin - often staying only for periods between 6 weeks and 6 months, whereas students on our International Student Program more commonly attend BSC for a minimum of an entire school year. 

As we always say, the opportunity to host international and exchange students is very valuable.  The experience allows us all to take time to appreciate, value and deepen our insights about other perspectives, cultures, religions and important world issues.

While they are here, these students make a lasting impression and build bridges across cultures by creating friendships that will last a lifetime.

Inevitably, however, the time comes to farewell our visiting students as we do now: Martina Tramoni (Year 11) returns to Italy, Emil Huth (Year 10) returns to Germany and Lisa Imbert (Year 7) returns to France.

We hope that these three students have enjoyed their stay at BSC and take with them warm memories of their time here.  Each has contributed in their unique and valuable way to the rich and diverse fabric of our school. We wish them every success into the future!

Emil Huth - Berlin, Germany

On the 2nd of February I had my first day at BSC. I was quite excited because I was supposed to attend this school for five months now and live in Australia for half a year. I had never been away from my hometown Berlin for such a long time and I was also very nervous. What if I wouldn’t understand a single thing? What if this school was so different that I wouldn’t get along? What if the people weren’t friendly at all?

Luckily, none of these cases occurred. The people here took care of me from the first day on and everyone was so kind and understood my situation of not really knowing the country, the city or the slang. I made friends so easily and learned so much about the Australian lifestyle during this time.

On one hand, this school is so different to my German school but it also is so similar. The ways to teach, the way how students participate in class and how things go on firstly seemed a bit weird and unusual to me first but I got used to them and learned to appreciate so many things. I have met so many wonderful people and gathered lot of unforgettable experiences which I will remember forever.

I will miss playing UNO during lunch, learning new things together, cooking delicious food in F-Kitchen, talking about the differences between my life and your life and so much more.

I wasn’t too sure about this exchange at first but after all this time I can only recommend it. My friends have told me that my English has become much better and I also feel more comfortable about speaking English.

I think this experience has really changed my life and my view on other cultures.

I am very thankful for all the people who made this exchange possible.

I want to thank my teachers and my coordinators for teaching me new and interesting things and for explaining things to me when I don’t understand them right away.  I want to thank all the students who showed me around the school and assisted me when I needed help. All you guys wouldn’t have had to include me into your group, but you did anyway and I really appreciate this.  Of course, there are so many people I still need to thank additionally, but this would take up ten more pages!

Thanks for the awesome time!