Our Stories

Isabel

Boarder from Spain

Hi, my name is Isabel and I’m from Spain. I spent a term at St George's School in Edinburgh, and I want to share why it was such an amazing experience for me. Choosing St George's was important because it’s an all-girls school, and that made me feel really comfortable right away.

Settling In
When I first arrived, I felt homesick for the first few days because I’d never been to another country on my own before. But it didn’t take long to settle in because everyone was so kind and welcoming. The school gave me a buddy in the boarding house and another one in my form class. They helped me figure out where to go, what time my classes were, and even came with me to lunch. It made all the difference.

“Having a buddy helps a lot. My buddies looked after me until I was settled in, and now they’re some of my closest friends.”

Learning English
One of the main reasons I came to the UK was to improve my English, and St George's was perfect for that. I had ESL lessons twice a week with another student, and it was so helpful. The lessons were relaxed and I could ask anything I didn’t understand without feeling judged.

“My English has improved a lot this term. The ESL lessons made it easy to ask questions and learn in a way that felt comfortable.”

Trying New Things
At St George’s, I got to try things I’d never done before. In Spain, we don’t play hockey or lacrosse, but here I joined both clubs and loved it. I also did spin cycling with my friends at lunchtime. There’s always something fun to do, even on the weekends. My favourite weekend activity was pottery painting—it was so relaxing and creative.

“I learned to play hockey and lacrosse for the first time and I’m now part of the clubs. It’s been so much fun trying new sports and activities.”

Life in the Boarding House
Living in the boarding house felt like being in a small, close-knit home. There was always someone to talk to or do activities with, but I also had my own space when I needed it. The food was great too, with lots of options, including vegetarian meals.

“The boarding house feels like a little home. You’re never alone, and there’s always someone to spend time with.”

Exploring Edinburgh
One of the best things about St George's is how close it is to the centre of Edinburgh. I loved going out on the weekends to places like the cinema, bowling, or shopping. The school also organises weekend trips and those were so much fun.

“I love being in Edinburgh. St George's is near the city centre, so we could go out to explore, and I’ve had so many great experiences.”

Why I Recommend St George’s
If a friend from home asked me about coming to St George's, I’d tell her it’s a wonderful place. Everyone is so nice, and you can make friends here for life. Being in Edinburgh is also better than going to a bigger city like London because there aren’t many Spanish speakers here. That meant I had to speak English all the time, which helped me learn so much faster.