Student Diaries

A Year in the life of....

Rebeka Bernik from Slovenia was awarded the first Frank Bell Scholarship, which supported her studies at Bell Bedgebury International School during 2007/2008. The Scholarship is awarded annually to exceptional students.

Here Rebeka describes her year at the school – from being accepted, her study experiences, activities she took part in and what she has gone on to do.

GETTING THE SCHOLARSHIP

When I received the letter from BBIS I thought it was a rejection. After I opened it I couldn't believe my eyes. I was reading the letter over and over again. It was a big shock for me as well as for my family. But they were happy and excited for me and I couldn't do it without their support. It took me hours to realise what a change is about to happen in my life. A change that will turn my world up-side-down and leave a huge impact. The sad thing I had to do that day was to tell my friends I am leaving, but I knew I will get new friends and keep in touch with the old ones at the same time. I really did and I am grateful I got the scholarship and got a chance to spend an amazing year with amazing people.

MY FIRST DAY   8 September

It's my first day here in BBIS. I still cannot believe I am here in England. The last two weeks have been very emotional. Today I have met the vice principal and she has showed me around the school. Then I have met my roommate from Paraguay, Patricia. She is very nice and I think we will get along well.

In the evening we had an activity called speed friendship. We sat at the tables and talked to the person in front of us and moved positions after a while. It was a good way of getting to know people and they are all really interesting, so I can't wait to get to know them even better. Tomorrow we don't have classes yet, but we do have placement test and introduction to daily routine. I feel so tired, I am going to fall asleep immediately.

THIRD DAY   10 September

It is my third day in BBIS. I know all the teachers by now and I have to say they are all really nice and try hard for the students here. House parents take excellent care of each and every one of us and they are making sure we make friends. I get along with all the girls and I find it really interesting learning about new people, cultures and habits.

Today we are making posters about our countries that will represent us in the common room. I enjoy the common room with the TV and sofas, it is like the living room at home where we can all gather together and talk

NETBALL   3 December

We have been practising netball for a few weeks now and we are getting better. Miss Russen is encouraging us all the time and I am starting to actually like it, although I normally don't like sports with balls. Next week we are having our first match with another school from Hastings. We are not expecting to win or anything, because the other team is playing for years now and we are just beginners, but I am looking forward to it. I think it will be fun and interesting to play against real English girls and get to know them. Later we are also having lunch with them, I hope they will prepare something special for this occasion. I can't wait!=)

CHRISTMAS BALL    7 December

I am so excited. Today we are having our Christmas which is not going to be like our small though fun common room parties we have every once in a while. It is going to be a real ball and we even got invitations for it.

First, we will gather in the Hollington Room. I cannot wait until I see the girls in their amazing dresses and all the boys in their suits. Later we are having delicious dinner with turkey and chocolate cake and I hear it is going to be the best we have ever eaten in BBIS. The disco at the end is what we are all looking forward most. Oh, it is late. I have to get ready.

CLASSES   24 March

We have half term in a few days, but we are still working so hard. In English class today we had a short test and we all did pretty well. Later on we had to write an article about sports in schools.

After break, in biology we did an experiment about how much energy food releases by burning it and our prep is to write it up including the calculations. The lunch today was good and I had a relaxing talk with my friends. My last lesson was maths and we learned about geometry which I am not good at so I will have to do some private studies during the weekend.

CAMBRIDGE AND HASTINGS   3 May

Tomorrow we are going to Hastings, seaside city about 30 minutes drive from BBIS, to see Jack in the Green. (A local festival) Mr Leech, who is my science teacher, is participating and he said it is fun. It is good we get to know English culture as well.

ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING  27 June

I cannot believe this is our last day in BBIS, the year passed so quickly. We are having a prize giving ceremony on which awards of certificates of attendance and prizes will be given out to us. It is going to be very formal and all the parents are invited, so we had a rehearsal yesterday. I am still a bit nervous if I mess up something like the sitting order or my speech, but I hope everything goes fine. The teachers are wearing their gowns and we have to wear our uniforms to impress the parents and our special guests. Got to run to take my laundry otherwise it will be too late.

MY FUTURE

I am studying in Ljubljana now and am planning to join an International Baccalaureate course next year here in Slovenia. After that I will go to university altough I am still not sure what I would like to be in my life. It will probably have something to do with science, because those are the subjects I like most. I have learned a lot during my BBIS year, but I have also improved my studying habits and gained other characteristic that matter in life - like being punctual all the time for example.