Here is an insight into our two-day Orientation for students arriving for their School Stay Programme.

One beautiful warm weekend in August saw 38 nervous but excited students arriving for their School Stay Programme.

As usual, we were at the airport to meet and welcome the students and although we had some flight delays I was so pleased they all arrived safely.

Every EEOP School Stay Programme starts with a two-day orientation to prepare students for their stay and enjoy London and have some fun together.

We all stayed together in a local hotel - a great way to get to know all of the students and for them to get to know us and each other. We ate breakfast and dinner together each day and we all particularly enjoyed the “eat as much as you can” buffet breakfast! A great way to start the day!

The first evening was spent all together in a meeting room, talking through every aspect of the Programme. I was able to give them lots of necessary information, as well as tips and ideas to help them settle in and have a happy and successful stay.

It was also great to see the students share ideas and experiences between themselves and make new friends. After a fun quiz, and the winning group kindly sharing their prize of a big box of chocolates with everyone, we all went up to bed with excitement for the following day.

Tour of London

We made an early start on Saturday, enjoying a delicious breakfast together before meeting our coach driver for the day and collecting our lovely and very funny blue badge guide, Fritha, on the short journey into central London for our tour of this amazing city.

We all enjoyed the tour. Fritha always gives us lots of history and information, as well as lots of funny stories about London. We made several stops, at Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, before we were dropped off at the London Eye. We thoroughly enjoyed a flight on the London Eye and were blessed to have some great weather to get more beautiful pictures of the amazing London sky line.

After our flight we took a walk across London to Victoria where we had a short break for souvenir shopping before we went to watch the fabulous ‘Wicked’, a famous musical West End show. My colleague and I enjoyed the show as much as the students did I think! Our coach collected us from the theatre and took us back to our hotel for our evening meal together and a much needed early night.

Onward travel

Sunday morning is always very different for the students as this is the day they will travel onwards to their host families. Every student is different of course, some students are understandably nervous, some are simply just excited and many are a mixture of both emotions. We always try our very best to empathise with our students and some words of encouragement and understanding always seem to help turn a worried face into a smiling one. :)

We always accompany students to meet their onward transfer, most travel by national express coaches as this is not only safe but also comfortable and direct to their new home towns. After some heart felt goodbyes to the students I waved them all off on their coaches with a big smile and a feeling of excitement for them for the months ahead and the endless possibilities for each and every one of them!

I really do love my work!

Warm regards