One one the best things about studying English overseas would have to be making new friends, visiting stunning places and sharing memories.

Last week a group of students, past and present went to Fraser Island for a 3 days and they had an amazing time.

A bus load of students from both the Caloundra and Noosa campuses went to the Gold Coast for the weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet amd make friends from a different campus.

You may be wondering what the students and teachers are doing in these photos. Dancing of course.

Linley Boyle, who teaches Yoga and dancing on the coast, volunteered her friday afternoon to teach students a folk dance. At first, the students were a little reluctant but it didn’t take long before they were all involved and laughing. Apart from being a lot of  fun, students were able to practise their listening skills because they had to follow instructions.

The Upper – Intermediate students have been busy these past few weeks putting together a magazine. It’s aim is to provide new students with valuable information about GV Caloundra and Caloundra in general.

Click this link to see the Newsletter

Many thanks to all the students who worked hard on this project and a special thanks to Nathalie their teacher who has had to edit and format the magazine.

Honza, from the Pre-Intermediate class, has taken some photos that are absolutely beautiful and I hope you enjoy them.

It seems that the whole college made it to the Sands Tavern last night which explains all the sleepy faces this morning.

Luis, or Papa Luis as we have affectionally come to know and call him, is responsible for the bulk of the photos I post on the blog. He often greets me in the morning with a smile on his face and camera in tow and provides me with his latest photos. So, I would like to say thank you from us all because I know how happy you are to see your photos on the blog. Papa Luis joined us in February for 24 weeks and then re-signed for a further 12 week General English course  in August. Even though he is one of our mature age students, he has participated in all our activities and has become friends with every one, staff and students alike. His experience has been such a pleasant one that Luis would like to emigrate to Australia. Best of luck with that Papa.

Julio was the student responsible for making all that wonderful food at the FCE BBQ on Monday. Even though Julio has officially finished his 48 week course with us, he prepared all the delicious salads we enjoyed. At this point, I would have probably said how sorry we were to see him go, but that isn’t the case  because Julio has signed on again for another 44 week course. He will be starting his new course in the first week of November.

Today students and staff celebrated the very first FCE class to take place at Caloundra. We would like to wish  Chloe, Saki, Laura, Cindy, Bianca, Stephanie and Kris the best of luck with their tests. I would like to thank Julio for preparing the rice and salads and to the students who helped with the BBQ, especially Ivan and Benjamin.

As most of you already know, we have organised a student night at the Sands Tavern in Maroochydore for next Thursday night, the 15th of October. 21 lucky students will get to go there for free. A mini bus will leave from the campus next Thursday at 8.15pm. In order to be fair to all of the students we have arranged a little competition. The winners will be given a ticket to present to the driver. Good luck!

Q1. Who teaches Latin Dance classes in Caloundra?

Q2. When did Michael get married?

Q3. What is his wife’s name?

Q4. When will Gui move to Brazil?

Q5. Where did students have lunch in Noosa?

Q6. Who does Adrian work for?

Q7. How much does the  Gold Coast Trip cost?

CONGRATULATIONS

1. Matheus (Pre-Intermediate Class)

2. Andy (Pre-Intermediate Class)

3. Corinna (Pre-Intermediate Class)

4. Maggie (Pre-Intermediate Class)

5. Guilherme (Intermediate Class)

6. Stephanie Fury (Elementary)

7. Julie Boulard (Pre-Intermediate)

8. Luiz Pauloo (Pre-Intermediate)

9. Jasmin  (Pre-Intermediate)

10. Nathalie (Intermediate)

11. Sabrina Jost (Intermediate)

12. Karen Sugey (Pre-Intermediate)

13. Victor (Elementary)

14. Katia (Pre-Intermediate)

15. Anne – Sophie (Pre-Intermediate)

16. Anna Hung (Elementary)

17. kenix Li (Pre-Intermediate)

18. Annie Lee (Intermediate)

19. Adrian Ammann (Intermediate)

20. Melanie (Pre-Intermediate B)

21. Laila (Pre-Intermediate)

Michael was one of the first students from Peru to study at Caloundra. He arrived in February 2008 and finished in July the same year. He always had a big bright smile and he worked hard to improve his English. It was apparent to us then that Michael would be successful at anything he set his mind to because not only,  did he find a job for himself but he found jobs for most of his friends too. After he finished his course, he moved to Brisbane, found some more work, saved his money, flew his girlfriend over form Peru and married her.  Michael and Sofia were married on his birthday, February the 18th. He is extremely happy and says he is working hard to support them. “Life couldn’t be better.” Congratulations Michael and Sofia. We wish you both all the very best!

Laura has been teaching the locals how to dance the Salsa in Caloundra for a couple of months now and she loves it! She is quite proud of the fact that she is also the choreographer. Laura said that the lessons are becoming more popular with time and that she may have to teach another class. Keep up the good work Laura.

Gui and Lina Maria met at Caloundra when they both started studying here at the end of 2008. They started going out almost immediately and became a couple soon after that. Both students left a few months ago. So what happens when a Colombian student meets and falls in love with a Brazilian student and vice versa? In this case, Gui has moved to Colombia to be with Lina. It must be love, their friends say, after all it isn’t easy for a Brazilian to get a job in Colombia. Gui told me that he plans to stay in Colombia until Christmas time and then head back to Brazil. He hopes Lina will follow. Take care guys and let us know how things go.

Kings Beach was the venue for the sand sculpting afternoon. Students got to work on their masterpieces straight after the BBQ and I hear that every one had a good time discussing what they were going to do and sculpting their designs. The winning sculpture was the big fish. Congratulations to you all.

A group of students made their way to Noosa for the day. They went to the National Park and did some Koala spotting before going to Hastings Street where they enjoyed some lunch. After lunch they went swimming and sun bathed at Main Beach. Thanks Loris for driving the bus.

Adrian Burkard is returning to Switzerland today to get back to work.  Adrian, who is a sales Area manager for GE (Money), took 4 weeks off to come to study English here with us at Caloundra. Keen to improve his English, Adrian also had a private lesson after class each day. When I asked him about his experience, he said, that he had a great time. He was able to meet new and interesting people and has made some new friends. He was very happy in class and with his teacher and has improved his English. His host family were  friendly and his surroundings were beautiful. WhenI asked Adrian about the negative things he experienced he said that, “Australia is a big place and sometimes the distance between places can be far.” He ended by saying he would return to Australia again. Best of luck Adrian. Hope to see you again!

Last night students enjoyed themselves at a ‘Going- Away’ party organised by some of our Swiss students who are leaving us this week.  it must have been some party, because there are many smiling faces this morning and some ‘not – so – smiling’ and lots of dark sun glasses!  Bon voyage to all the students who are leaving.

Tropical Coast Tours

Gold Coast Trip

Saturday 17th October

*Depart G.V.Noosa 7:30am, G.V. Caloundra 8.30am

*Arrive Dreamworld

*Depart Dreamworld for Islander Backpackers

*Free Time to do what you want

SATURDAY NIGHT

FREE Entry to 5 Nightclubs

Melbas, The Drink, Ruby Tramp, Sincity,The Bedroom

Sunday

*Breakfast 9:00am

* Depart Islander Backpackers By 10:00am

*Free time in Surfers Paradise or

*Carrara Markets  ** Depart Markets 12:30pm

*Depart Surfers Paradise for DFO  1:00pm

*Depart DFO 4:00pm

*Arrive Noosa 6:00pm

Cost $195 ALL INCLUDED