Starting life at a new school is always an adventure, with many wonderful experiences awaiting the eager student. So much depends on how you embrace fresh challenges and strive to make the most of every life lesson. However, here at Brillantmont we do a great deal to help newcomers to settle in and achieve a true sense of belonging in a new boarding school or day school.
Your time at a school such as Brillantmont will be a wonderful experience and will prepare you well for the rest of your life, but starting at a new school can be daunting. Here is some helpful boarding school advice to help you get settled in:
While the practical aspects of preparing for a new school, especially a boarding establishment, such as buying clothes and stationery are obvious, it is important not to neglect psychological preparation for school.
The Brillantmont summer course offers students the chance to experience new activities and, for some, a chance to settle in to Brillantmont before starting their schooling in Switzerland.
One of the most unique aspects of life in Switzerland is diversity. The Swiss population is one of the most multicultural in all of Europe, reflected in its wealth of linguistic contrasts – French, German, Italian and Romansh are all official languages, with English spoken widely across the country too.
Lausanne is known for its international schools, not least of all Brillantmont, but what other educational opportunities are there in and around this picturesque city? For students soon to enter higher education, there’s a wealth of options for schooling in Switzerland, with many available here in Lausanne. From leading technical universities to the world-famous hospitality schools that have produced many leading industry figures – will you be the next one?
You may have already decided upon one of Lausanne’s excellent international schools, but what of the city itself? Home of the International Olympic Committee and situated alongside the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s fifth largest city has much to offer and enrich the lives of our students here at Brillantmont.
The first World Happiness Report from Columbia University in New York was published earlier this year, ranking Switzerland the seventh happiest place on Earth, well ahead of countries like the United States, France, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. What is it about living in Switzerland that’s so appealing?
“Originally, I had hoped to work with children, probably teaching, in Asia. However, choosing a gap year project was not easy. Be warned: there are many gap year operations that don’t even know the people they claim to help and make you pay a fortune to volunteer. Gap year travel is a lucrative business.”
When making university preparations there are a great many things to consider. Excellent guides such as this one from the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) outline many practicalities, from arranging one’s finances to securing decent accommodation. While this information is useful, what is less understood and explained is how our budding scholars must prepare themselves psychologically for what is often a life-changing experience, lasting anywhere between three years and the best part of a decade.
