Anishaa Aubeeluck, 2014-2015, Porta Westfalica, North Rheine-Westphalia, Germany

What do you study at King’s?

German BA

Where did you teach as an ELA?

Porta Westfalica, North Rheine-Westphalia

Why did you choose the ELA Scheme?

For me personally, the decision to study abroad or teach English as an English Language Assistant was not difficult at all; I wanted a refreshing break from studying. After two years of study at King’s, and knowing that I would have to come back for fourth year, the decision was pretty easy! I also wanted to gain some valuable work experience for the future. I was swayed by the fact that the ELA is basically a paid work placement, working minimal hours a week (I worked 12); which meant that I would have a lot of time to travel. This sounds strange, but I was not very confident in front of large groups before my year abroad, and I wanted to also challenge myself to see if I could develop self-confidence. I have never wanted to be a teacher, (even though I am asked that question A LOT!) but why not do something that gives you an experience that you wouldn’t normally be able to do?

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Danielle Moore, 2015-2016 in Oviedo, Spain

What do you study at King’s? 

Hispanic Studies with English BA

Why did you choose the ELA scheme?

– I jumped at the opportunity to be able to be able to spend a year gaining international work experience at the same time as honing my Spanish speaking skills. Whilst I’m sure I would have also loved spending my days socialising in a university setting and expanding my academic knowledge, I liked the idea of developing my language skills in a professional environment as well as finding out what it’s like to be a teacher.

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Henry Ravenhall, 2013-2014 in Pau, Bordeaux, France

What do you study at King’s?
French and History BA

Describe your teaching and learning experience
I was working in three collèges (11-15) in a small city in the southwest of France. I taught a variety of classes across all the ages, however I mostly taught quatrième and troisième — the oldest year groups of the collège. I really enjoyed teaching these lessons and I was given a lot of freedom in what I could teach to which students. Unless the teacher told me beforehand that he/she wanted me to tackle a certain subject, I was able to design my lessons with total autonomy.

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Cory Prestion, Summer 2013 at Renmin University of China, Beijing

What do you study at King’s?
Philosophy BA

Where did your Global Summer Experience take place?
Renmin University of China (RUC), Beijing, China

How did you apply?
The initial application process was not particularly long, it involved filling in an application form, writing a short personal statement (500 words) and obtaining an academic reference. This was so that the study abroad office could narrow down who would be funded for a place at RUC. The study abroad office were available to answer questions.

Once this process was over, and the office had chosen 6 students to submit as applicants to the university we then filled in the RUC online application form. This was followed by a request for a hard copy of the form and photocopies of passport and (if applicable) previous visa application successes to China.

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Soumia Arif, Summer of 2015 at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

What do you study at King’s?
Geography BA

Where did your Global Summer Experience take place?
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

How did your Global Summer Experience influence you?

My time in China shaped me into becoming a more open-minded individual. I learnt very early on that things that were done differently, were just that: different, not necessarily wrong. It was appreciating this and broadening my perspective that I in turn learnt so much more about Chinese culture and cultural appropriation in general. My Global Summer Experience influenced me to embrace unfamiliar things with even more enthusiasm and optimism than a previously had!

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