Polar Choice - Accommodation and Education

Londres and Oxford House College... trough Carlotta 

This week we didn’t visit a School but we don’t need it because we have been with Carlotta who is going to tell us either her experience in Oxford House College or her experience in London.

Tell us about you... How did you arrive to London? Why?

My name is Carlotta Pagani. I’m 20 and I come from the north of Italy, to be precised from Novara. After 2 months in Ireland I decided to come to London to continue improving my English before going to University in Italy.

 How were your first days in London? Tell us what the most difficult thing was for you...

At the beginning I was a bit afraid because of the accommodation. That is why I decided to book a place to stay for 1 week at least.

The house was in Brixton and the neighbourhood seemed to me a bit dangerous, I didn’t have a problem though. I started working there and I met Livia, a Swiss girl with who I got on well quickly. Both of us decided to move and then, we found out POLAR CHOICE. The truth is that everything was so easy, we liked the house and most of all the area, Clapham.

I think that if I come back to London I will live in the same place again.

Anyway, we were visiting other houses before getting with POLAR CHOICE and it is really hard. If you work like us, in a pub, loads of hours, the last thing you want to do is to visit houses in your free time. Furthermore, everything is very expensive and sometimes we were asked exorbitant amounts for houses in poor conditions. In this sense POLAR CHOICE is the best option, the value for money is really good.

After a year in London, why did you decide to enrol an English Course now?

After a year I can see that I have no problem to understand people.

I felt like if I was struggle in my process to learn, so I thought it was the moment to take advantage on what I had learnt and try to pass the First Exam of Cambridge. Thereby, i would work the grammar, which is the part you more abandon if you don’t go to a school. Also, the certificated would be perfect for my future in Italy.

Why did you choose Oxford House College?

I found out that POLAR CHOICE had start working with several schools in London and I went to the office. Even if they work with a lot of schools, it was easy to find one which was good for my schedule and for my economic possibilities.

What I did was to explain them when I could take the lessons, my budget and the zone where I would like to study. From there, they gave me a list of schools with their information and I chose Oxford House College.

Why exactly?

I thought it has an affordable price due to you have to count with its location and premises. Also, i was looking for preparing the First exam, that’s why I chose it..

This was before the Course, now that you have finished it, what do you tell us about the School? Would you come again?

I have no doubt. The teachers have been very kind and they were totally keen to reach that we pass the exam.

How was with your colleagues? Where do they come from?

 

I have met people from Spain, Italy, Japan and Poland… The truth is that there is a big mixture and I like that because it gives you the opportunity of meeting new people from around the World.

How are the classes? How many students?

The rooms are good-size and the average is 15 students per class which allows you to learn and interact with your partners as well.

My teacher was very dynamic what helps you a lot when you are in a room where there are people with different nationalities.

What were the methods?

Although we had to follow a book, we did a lot of activities in Group and we reviewed the grammar through practising.

Also, the schools has extra activities for practising the language, but I couldn’t take it due to I had to go to work in the afternoon.

Did you like the experience?

Definitely yes! I liked the School a lot as well as the atmosphere that they have and its great location! Today, the 12^th of July I come back to Italy and I am really happy with the experience that I had lived in London, everything I learnt, the people I met and the help I had from POLAR CHOICE.

I’m waiting for the results of the exam and I am totally nervous as I want to know if I have passed the First. Although we had problems with the listening, as it was an advanced level and the volume was terribly low, I hope I will have a good result.

It would be great if in the future they modify the listening part by doing it with headphones!!! J

I’m leaving so happy! This experience has been unique!

Thanks to every person who made my stay in this city an unforgettable experience!