Student Interview: Gym 1

Name: Johanne Stoveland

Class: Gym 1

Nationality: Norwegian

Years in Belgium: Second year this year

Programme: Studiespesialisering (Norweigan programme)

 

1. What is the best thing about living in Belgium?

Many different countries come together in Brussels, not only to study but to live and work here. It is not too far from home so you can always go visit but at the same time it is nice to be a bit further away because of the weather. Belgium is also called the heart of Europe. This means that we are close to all kinds of places, France for instance.

 

2. How do you think this school is different from schools in Norway?

A bit more difficult but in a good way, we get to learn so much more. Another great thing is that we practice so many different languages in school. Also I think students at SSB are very ambitious and motivated in comparison to Norway, this is really good because it motivates me to study and do my very best as well.

 

3. Do you want to study abroad later? Is this because of your experience at SSB?

My studies at SSB and my living in Belgium have showed me that it is possible. It has given me confidence and now I know I can do it. I have gotten to feel what it is like to live and study abroad so it is very possible that I will want to continue doing so in the future.


4. Do you feel that you speak a lot of French/English because of living here?

I talk a lot more English here than I did in Norway; often it is necessary in order to understand each other at SSB. Also I play handball and so athletics outside of school, during these practices I speak French, which is a great way for me to learn.

 

5. How do you feel that going to a multinational school affects you?

I am Norweigan but after a year at SSB I speak fluent Swedish, I practice it a lot because many of my friends are Swedish. I have become more independent and self confident, I no longer find it scary to get to know new people or talk to people I have never met before.

 

6. What do you think is important to know about Belgium/SSB before moving here?

That it is a nice environment to live in. SSB is a very good school with different nationalities that come together in a very good way. Belgium is sometimes known as a boring country but this is not true at all. There are many nice cities, the country has a very interesting history and it is a fun country to live in.

 

7. Do you participate in any extracurricular acitivities? How is it?

I used to go to body work. I wanted to do sports that the school didn’t offer so the school helped me to find clubs outside of school where I could do that. 


2011-10-25 @ 21:19:45 Permalink Interview: Students Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

The castle in the evening

It is starting to get quite dark here now in the evenings, this is what it looks like around about the time we eat dinner. If you look at the first picture you can see the windows of the food court, the windows on the first floor facing the school The windows on the back of the school where lamps are lit inside is where our rooms are.

2011-10-24 @ 20:31:49 Permalink Boarding Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Questions answered

I have gotten a few questions from a student who is applying to the school next year. She currently lives in Stockholm and is in Gym 1, so I thought I's quickly answer her questions.


1. Considering that you have gone to a swedish school before you went to Belgium, what would you say is the biggest difference between the schools?

The biggest difference I would say is how close everybody is here, as some other students have said in the student interviews. We're not a lot of people so we really look out for each other. Personally I would also say that people here, in general, are more motivated and ambitious which makes school so much more fun.

2. How can I make sure that I do the right courses matching with SSB’s studyplans?

What I did was to firstly have a meeting together with my study counselor (studievägledare) at my school to discuss the different course plans at both schools. She helped me to find out what I would have to study here at SSB and taught me a bit about how the system works. After this I contacted Christina Newport at SSB and did the same thing, I told her what I would like to study and she helped me to plan my courses. I would really recommend using the help of people like this since it can be quite confusing to do it by yourself.

3. How does a typical weekly schedule look like, for a student going to upper secondary?

This question is diffucult to answer since it is very induvidual and depends on things like which courses you're taking and how many courses you've already finished. In gym 1 & 2 a lot of students have school from 8.15-15.15 with a lunch break but in Gym 3 some have less subjects because they have finished a lot of courses already.

4. What would you say, is the best reason to choose SSB?

The best reason to begin at the school is that you will learn a lot and actually feel that you are developing new skills. Also you make a lot of new friends and get to live in an interesting country. The best reason to live at the boarding is, according to me, that you really feel independent and more grown up than at home, it's a lot of fun and also here you make friends for life.


5. Which languages are the lessons held in, for instance social science?

The answer to this question depends on a couple of things. I would say that some subjects are in English most of the time and others in your mother-tounge. If the group of students are of the same nationatlity then you usually get taught in their language but if the class is more mixed the teachers tend to teach in English so that everybody can understand.

7. Approximately, how many people live at the boarding?

Currently 46 students live at the boarding. But there are also a few houseparents living here.

8. If you live at the boarding, is it easy to study after school or do you easily get distracted?

I think it is as easy as it is at home. Wherever you study you will always be able to find distractions like watching TV, friends doing something fun or being on facebook. I have no trouble studying at the castle because I can always go into my room and be alone. Since there are a lot of students living here there is always something going on that is more fun than studying, people watching a movie in the living room for example. I think it is important that you as an induvidual can take responsibility for your studies and make sure it gets done but these distractions at the castle can, as I mentioned, be compared to other distractions back at home too.

2011-10-24 @ 20:24:52 Permalink General Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Student Inteview: Gym 3

Name: Wille Wento

Class: Gym 3

Nationality: Finnish

Years in Belgium: Whole life, 18 years. Lives here with his family.

Programme:  IB

 

1. What is the best thing about the school?

The best thing is that everybody knows each other and that the school has a good education. Another positive thing is that the teachers care about the students.

 

2. How do you think this school is different from schools in Finland?

Quite clearly they are more focused on the student here. The teachers are a lot more focused on helping the student success in the possible way. In a bigger school or in a typical school in Finland I don’t think it is like this.

 

3. Do you want to study abroad later? Is this because of your experience at SSB?

Yes I really want to study abroad later on in life. This is partly because of my experience here, but mostly because I want to continue living in places where different nationalities come together.


4. How do you feel that going to a multinational school affects you?

It has affected me in a big way. Both my parents are Finnish and I speak fluent Finnish because of this. But thanks to my studies at SSB I have become fluent in both Swedish and English. Also, because of living in Belgium, I am fluent in French. This is what has affected me most.

 

5. What do you think is important to know about Belgium/SSB before moving here? That it is a nice place to live. Also you get to practice French a lot in your daily life here, which can be good for learning more. Another good thing to know is that the school is very Scandinavian; you really feel that in your subjects and studies.

 

6. How do you think your studies at SSB will affect/benefit you in the future?

Well it will be positive for me because I will continue to speak and use all the languages I have learnt. My studies at SSB have also taught me how to interact with different kinds of people and it will help me when getting to know people of different kinds of social groups.

 

7. What do you think about the IB-programme at SSB?

The IB is good at SSB as there are such few students and they have a lot of focus on each person. The only thing that is a bit bad is that there are not as many subjects to choose from but for me it was not a problem, as I would have chosen those subjects anyway.

2011-10-21 @ 15:15:45 Permalink Interview: Students Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Rooms at the castle

Inside the castle there are many different things. There is a food court, art-room and conference rooms among other things. Today I thought I would explain a little about how we, as boarding students, live and about the private rooms. In the castle there are currently 46 students living in both singe and double rooms. When I moved here I asked if it was possible for me to live in a single room as I need my own time away from other people and that is how I live now.

On the ground floor of the castle there are the things I first mentioned, like the food court. When you go to the first floor you will find a washing room, a kitchen for the boarding students, a living room with a television and then the student corridor where 19 students live. On the second floor you will find showers, toilets, another living room and the student corridor with 27 student's rooms.

I live on the second floor in a single room. When I first arrived I did not know what to expect from the rooms but I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the rooms are quite big, have windows, a sink and mirror as well as some furniture like a bed and a desk. Some people have chosen to buy more furniture or things like carpets and posters at IKEA which is quite close to Waterloo but other have chosen to leave the room as it is since we get everything we actually need.

I chose to change some things in my room but basically all of the furniture in the room was here when I got here so I've only added some details to make it more homey. I feel very much at home at the castle and my room is almost like a small apartment. It's nice to be able to always be with other students and not feel lonely but at the same time it is possible to go into your room and be alone.


This was the way my room looked when I arrived, before I changed anything. This is the way my room looks now:


My room is just one example and I will show other student's rooms and let them talk about it in other posts as well.
2011-10-20 @ 16:24:43 Permalink Boarding Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Study trip: Gent

Together with my friend Benjamin Bond I wrote a summary of our, Gym 3's, study trip to Gent.


On the 9th of September 2011 the whole of Gym 3 went on a study trip to Gent, a town in Belgium. Gent is particularly known for it’s remarkable medieval architecture that we greatly experienced while walking through the city. It is a busy town with a university and many students, interesting for us since universities are where many of us are going next.


We all took the train from Waterloo to Gent in order to learn about how the train system works and how to get there on our own. On arrival we met up with a local, previously a teacher at SSB, who showed us around through the city. We also went into the Saint Bavo cathedral, where we got to see famous paintings and sculptures. It’s built in Gothic style, from what we can recall. We visited the torture museum, which was inside an enormous stone-brick castle, an amazing experience!


Unfortunately we did not get to experience more historical matters that day for it was time to return home, to Waterloo. We got to try taking the tram to the train station and after that we took the train back home to Waterloo. It was a nice trip and not only did we get to see a lot of the city and learn about paintings etc. but we also learnt how to get to Gent and take the train.


Pictures: Victoria Håkansson
2011-10-20 @ 15:55:11 Permalink Study trips Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Teacher Interview: Kristy Lundström

Name: Kristy Lundström

Nationality: American

Subject: Math and Computer Science. Head of school

At school: Third year, worked here before 2000-2003

 

1. What is it like being a teacher at SSB?

It is inspiring and challenging. I learn something every day. I think it is a more multicultural environment than at other schools, but this is only a positive thing.

 

2. In what ways do you/teachers teach your subjects?

I’m trying to find ways so that every student can learn. Some students like to be told what to do and others like to figure it out themselves. Technology and group work is a great way to reach out to students; I believe that we are smarter in teams. Another great way to teach is to have one-to-one discussions. I love teaching small groups so I get to talk to every student every lesson.

 

3. How do you manage to combine the study plans for the different nationalities that have combined lessons?

In math it works fine. I speak English fluently since it’s my mother-tongue and the content is the same for every country. Math is a special subject because it is not as dependent on language but more about understanding.

 

4. Why do you think students benefit from studying at SSB?

I think we have a pretty small school where everybody knows everybody. We have the possibility to understand every learner. We are small enough for me to get everybody’s learning style, which is something that can’t be underestimated. Also it is a very short road between students and teachers at SSB, so you have a chance to affect what is going on. Another huge benefit here is that our students are motivated which creates a great academic group together with engaged teachers.



5. Are there any courses/measures that teachers at the school participate in?

Yes we have a professional development plan for every teacher. Right now there is a lot of focus on integrating technology into classrooms with the help of laptops. We are also studying the new Swedish curriculum a lot in order to make it as good as possible. Every teacher has his or her own interests, I am interested in international education, how we teach multilingual students and use it to our advantage.

 

6. How do you try to make your teaching ”Scandinavian”?

I am trying to teach bilingually so that you get the vocabulary in both languages. I follow the curriculum well to prepare students for the national test. I want to prepare students for going to a Nordic university, as a majority of the students at SSB generally choose to study at university. I am not just teaching math, I am trying to prepare my students for the next step.

 

7. You are also Head of School, what is it like being head of school at SSB?

It is challenging. It is fantastic to work with people in all ages. My days are very exciting and there is never a dull moment because something is always happening. I am still learning every day. I always want to improve and my biggest task as a teacher and head of school is to make sure that every kid learns every day.

2011-10-19 @ 15:39:57 Permalink Interview: Teachers Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Films about SSB

Here is a great film about the school that gives information about most things concerning the school. On the school's youtube-channel you can find more films about the school.

2011-10-17 @ 19:25:33 Permalink General Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Student Interview: Gym 1

Name: Rebecca Jonsson

Class: Gym 1

Nationality: Swedish

Years in Belgium: Lived here her whole life

Programme: Svenska Samhällsprogrammet

 

What is the best thing about living in Belgium?

I get to see other cultures, both in school and outside of school, which is very interesting. I learn a lot about other people and how things work in Belgium. Also, since the school has students from all over Scandinavia, I feel that I learn a lot about their cultures and people from those countries as well.


How do you think this school is different from schools in Sweden/Norway?

Well I think the schools have different systems. Since we are so many different nationalities at the school it is important that all of our study plans are combined in the subject. Because of this I, as a Swedish student, am taught a lot of the things that f.ex. Norwegian students learn in their study plans. Also, since the school is smaller than a typical Swedish school, people get a lot closer to each other.


Do you want to study abroad later? Is this because of your experience atSSB?

I think I want to study in Lund, Sweden, after Upper secondary school. I have never lived in Sweden so I would like to try it and see what it’s like. Before I begin my university studies I would like to travel the world. I really want to see the world and learn about other cultures, this I think is because of my studies here.


How are the teachers att SSB?

The school has good teachers.  They really care about every student, this is possible because the classes aren’t too big and it means that we always get help when we need it.  They also adapt the subjects well to the different study plans.


How do you feel that going to a multinational school affects you?

I think I am very open towards other cultures. Swedish people sometimes have a tendency to be scared of other cultures or people from other countries. I am more open and interested in getting to know new people and learning about them.


Do you go to any singing/music lessons at the school? How is that?

Yes I do. I practice Piano, singing and sometimes band practice after school. I think it is very good. There are a lot of instruments and the teachers are great at pushing us to perform better and learn more, which is very motivating. The music facilities and the possibilities to practice and play music is the best thing about SSB according to me.


How do you think your studies at SSB will affect/benefit you in the future?

I have gotten to learn and practice a lot of English. Also I have become very good at getting to know new people. Here at SSB there are new students all the time which means that there always are new people to get to know.

2011-10-17 @ 19:13:46 Permalink Interview: Students Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Study trip: Leuven

Now and then the school arranges study trips for the different classes in Upper secondary. This year each class (Gym 1,2 and 3) went to a different town or city, in Belgium, for a day. In each city the students got to learn about the place and go see important places as well as learn how to get there. Since I wasn't accompanying the Gym 1 students on their trip, to Leuven, I asked a student in Gym 1 to help me write a summary of their study trip.
On the 9th September, 2011, all of us in Gym 1 went to Leuven. It is famous for their university and its wonderful environment. We all met at the train station in Waterloo. We travelled by train to learn how the train system works in Belgium. Once there, it was time to visit Stella Artois, which has its brewery there. We walked around and saw how beer is produced and how it is packaged. It was very interesting because beer is very big in Belgian culture.

After the visit to the brewery we got some lunch money and had lunch. Then we had presentations that we had prepared in social studies. We were divided into small groups where we presented Leuvens church, library, university, great buildings and statues. Then it was time to return home and we walked towards the train station. All in all, the trip was fun. The highlight was the brewery because I’ve never experienced anything like it. Despite this we had to walk very much, but so we discovered Leuven more.

Written by Ellen Carlson Hanse, Gym 1


Pictures of some Gym 1 students in Leuven
2011-10-13 @ 23:03:09 Permalink Study trips Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

The castle (boarding)

Close to the actual school, the actual boarding school is situated. The boarding students here live in a beautiful castle, a 19th century chateau. Inside the castle there are currently living 46 students in both single and double rooms, mostly singe ones. Inside the castle there is a fully equipped kitchen, living room with couches and a television, a washing room with washing machines and tumble dryers as well as toilet and showering facilities.

One could say that the castle is like one big house for the 46 students living at the school. Of course there aren't only students living at the castle, there are so called House Parents that live here with us. Inside the castle there are 5 houseparents with their families and about 20 metres away from the school there are 2 more houseparents living in a house with their children. I will write more about the inside of the castle and the houseparents in other posts but I just thought I would show some pictures of my, and 45 other students, home.


Picture 1: The front of the castle
Picture 2: The side/back of the castle

Finally a picture to show how close the school is to the castle.

2011-10-13 @ 22:47:36 Permalink Boarding Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

Get in contact

When thinking about moving abroad for a year one obviously has a lot of questions. Through this blog I hope to answer some but sometimes there are other way of contacting the school and getting your questions answered.

www.ssb.be is the school website. Here you will find information about most things concerning the school and boarding facilities. Also there is a lot of contact information if there is a specific person at the school, for instance the headmistress, that you want to contact.

Everyone learns everyday: Kristy Lundström, the headmistress at SSB, runs a blog where one can follow the progress at school and read about different learning techniques used by the teachers. It gives more insight into what goes on at SSB from a teaching perspective.

The schools facebook-page: The school has a facebook-page where one can look at a lot of pictures from things happening at the school as well as take part in any updates concerning the school.

Youtube: SSB has their own youtube-channel. Here you can find commercial films about the school which can be helpful if you are interested in seeing the school grounds and undersand what days at SSB can look like.


If you want to contact me, a student at the school, my mail-adress is [email protected]
2011-10-12 @ 16:28:20 Permalink General Kommentarer (0) Trackbacks ()

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