How did you hear about SISEC?

I actually planned to do a language stay but I wanted to combine it with sports. My friend, Patricia Löffel told me about SISEC and that she signed for 6 Months. I found more information about it from the SISEC Website and met Fred shortly thereafter. I then decided to come to Calgary for three months.

What was your first impression of Canada and Canadians?

The Canadians are very friendly, nice and very helpful, especially when it involves language difficulties.

I really love the country. It is almost like in Switzerland – just much larger! A three-hour drive to check out a place is not unusual.

Do you think this language stay offers you more than “just” learning the language?

Definitely! There are no parents here who spoil me. I learn a lot and it prepares me to move into my own place back in Switzerland . Living with other students is also a challenge. You have to learn to find compromises and to get along with each other. It’s a learning process for life.

You are also here to play hockey. What has this experience been like so far?

I’m playing on a Shinny Hockey team together with Patricia. Mostly there are not enough women to play a real game so I started playing on the boys’ team. Even though they are much better then I am it gives me a chance to practice more and get better.

Once a week you have a hockey lesson at the “ Psycho Hockey Center ”. How is this?

Patricia and I have a lesson for one hour every week on a small ice rink where we are trained by a coach. He’s teaching us technique, body movement and skating. It is a very tough lesson but we learn a lot and the coach is great!

Between Christmas and New Years you were in Anaheim / Los Angeles together with Fred, his Family and all the other SISEC students. How was this trip?

Beside the fact that it was raining all five days it was sensational! Fred organized the whole trip. Because of the weather we couldn’t do some of the planned trips, but we saw Disney World, the show “Disney on Ice”, and the Universal Studios. We also went on a bus tour through L.A. It was quite an experience to see this famous city! I would have loved to stay longer.

It is very cold in Calgary these days, always around minus 20 degrees. How do you feel about that? Do you have a “hot” hint for other students on how to get through this?

It is definitely very cold! But compared to Swiss winter days minus 20 degrees doesn’t seem too cold because it is very dry here. You have to be very careful when driving on these icy streets, you see car crashes daily here.

The positive thing is that all the lakes are frozen and we could experience a hockey game on Lake Chestermere !

My “hot” hint: Dress warm and never forget Scarf, Gloves & Touque.

How do you like the FOCUS International Language School ?

I really like the school! Our class is now smaller than in December and we have to participate more now. The teachers are great and we chat a lot with them outside of class.

What has been your most positive experience since you arrived?

My English skills are better than I expected. This was a very positive experience. It is very motivating to realize that every day you learn more things and it is getting easier to communicate with the locals.