The 2024 Crister S. Garrett Scholarship Cohort: Terence
Three of the four scholarship recipients of 2024 have completed their projects. Charlyn spent a year at Mount Holyoke College, and Terence was able to complete a four-week English language course in California. Alexandra was doing research for her dissertation, and Nadine is currently completing a year abroad at an American High School.
After we looked at Charlyn’s experience last time, we’ll share Terence’s experience in this second blog of CSG 2024 experiences. Terence, a high school student from the Erzgebirge region, attended a 4 week English program at the Kaplan International language school in Berkeley, California.
Find out more about the CSG Scholarship here.
Terence’s experience at a language school in Berkeley, CA, supported by the CSG Scholarship
Terence with his host family and a couple of other students.
I started my 4-week language study trip to the USA on 16.06.2024 in Frankfurt/M. My host family in El Cerrito, a suburb of Berkeley, gave me a very warm welcome. I lived there with three other exchange students in a shared flat. My English lessons at the Kaplan International Language School in Berkeley began on the very first day - I completed an intensive English course at level B2 here. The English lessons were always very challenging and motivating.
The Kaplan language school is centrally located and was only two subway stops away from my host family. After lessons, I had the opportunity to explore San Francisco and the surrounding area. The extracurricular activities offered by the Kaplan language school were very extensive. Together with fellow students, I was able to visit many highlights of the Bay Area, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. At the weekends, we explored various cities in the Bay and Silicon Valley. Once we rented a car and drove along Highway No. 1.
Terence infront of the Memorial Church at Stanford University.
What did I particularly like? At the language school, we came into contact with students from all over the world (Europe, Asia, South America). The interaction was always open and very friendly. The extensive conversations - inside and outside the school - also helped me to learn English. Thanks to the many activities within the group of friends, it was never boring - there was always something to do! The weather helped - during the four weeks of my stay there was almost nothing but sunshine.
What did I notice? The internationality and cultural diversity in the Bay Area is very impressive. It is relatively easy to make friends and do things with them. The "American way of life" can be felt everywhere. At the same time, the difference between rich and poor is evident in many places. In the inner cities of San Francisco and Berkeley, for example, homeless people are (unfortunately) part of the cityscape, right next to the (rich) residential and business districts. I have never experienced this in Germany.
Terence at the Pier 7 with a view of downtown San Francisco.
What will the trip do for my future? My English language skills improved greatly. By the end of the trip, I was able to communicate almost fluently in English with my teachers and fellow students. I received the final certificate from the Kaplan language school with the confirmation "English Level: Higher Intermediate" (see attachment). This means that I am well prepared for my further school education in the 11th/12th grade. I am also motivated to expand my YouTube channel with English-language contributions in the near future (see application). Last but not least, I very much hope to keep in touch with my new friends in the future.