What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. Today we say “Merhaba” to a special student who was in my High Intermediate class last week. He was one of the special gems in that class, because he brought a wonderful sense of maturity to our discussions, despite his tender age. Here’s Ziya’s story! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC    Hello, I’m Ziya Emir from İzmir,Turkey. I’ve been to EC Cape Town (which has got most lovely teachers, friends and The Big Heart, Abdul) last July to September. I started at Intermediate level and finished at High Intermediate. During my first week I didn’t talk so much to other students and also my teachers cause I was thinking about that if I speak I would make a mistake. Then my host family and my teachers encouraged me for speaking. After few days I realized something: Damn! I was speaking English as like as my mother tongue! Okay truthfully I was working on it. Believe me my friends when you start to speak English, besides this you become to feel more confident and realize that you are able to achieve what you want in this life. Furthermore I have some great memories like this: While I was studying in Cape Town, we celebrated Madiba’s Day. We went to out to distribute some food to people who need it. It was a really different experience for … Read more

What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. In this segment, we say hi again to the lovely Mirella from Brazil! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC     Hello! My name is Mirella Bolognesi, I have 28 years old and I am from São Paulo, Brazil. I got to say that I have spent the most amazing time on EC Cape Town in June 2013 at Advanced and Business class. I’m in Public Relations and my bullet point when I decided to go to South Africa was that I had a very small time (30 days only) and I really needed to improve my English as well as get to know a different country, some of the things that I try to do each and every year, especially on vacation. When I arrived in South Africa, instantly I’ve met a few great people at the airport and since I’m a very communicative person we became friends at that point. Certainly that day made me feel more confident and secure about my choice. Definitely, my best memory from EC Cape Town are all the people that I’ve met, teachers and colleagues. I will never forget the opportunity to be in an environment with mixed cultures (Brazil, Angola, Africa, Libya, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Colombia, Turkey…), it feels boundless to live in a place like that and I really loved, because I’m also from an … Read more

What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. In this segment, we travel to Barcelona and say HOLA! to Cristina! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC Watcha Up To? Hello, My name is Cristina and I’m from Barcelona. In June of 2012 I went alone to travel to several countries in southern Africa, but when I visited Cape Town,  I fell in love with this city. So, when I finished my trip, I went back to live for a while in Cape Town. I started to study at EC School because a friend of mine from Barcelona recommended it. He told me that EC is so good.  I was in Pre-Intermediate level for two months. I learned a lot in school, I met very good friends. After five months in Africa, I went back to Spain. I ‘m currently looking for a job, but in my country there is a great crisis. So maybe I will return to Cape Town because I think that it is a wonderful place to live. Cristina was a General English student at EC Cape Town

What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. I remember Rafaela so fondly. She always participated in class discussions and brought a lovely sense of energy to those around her. I’m delighted that this lovely lady graces our blog in today’s feature.! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC Watcha Up To? Hi, my name is Rafaela and I’m from São Paulo, Brazil. I started at EC Cape Town in July 2013 at Pre-Intermediate level and finished at Intermediate level. When I arrived I was try improved my English, and in my first week I was a little confused, because I was want speak English. But in my first week I was made some friends in my classroom and they help me improved my English. My teachers help me a lot too. This experience makes me other person, because I learned new things, new peoples, new cultures. Now I’m have other mind, without prejudices. EC Cape Town was for me like a mother and I felt great there. I made friends around the world and we talked today. The best experience for my life and I recommended EC and Cape Town city is amazing! I just have to thank you for meeting wonderful people. Rafaela was a Cape Town General English 20 student

What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. Geun-yong Choi from South Korea was a lively character who spent six months with us at EC Cape Town. He really had a great experience and learned more than just English while he was here. Read more about him below! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC Watcha Up To? Hi, I’m Geun-yong Choi from Seoul, South Korea. My friends called me Yong. Now I study Criminal law at the University. I’ve studied at EC for 6 months from June to December. I started at Intermediate level and I finished at Upper-Intermediate. When I was there, I met many good friends from all of the world. When I arrived in South Africa. I didn’t know about the culture from other countries but after I knew their culture. I took the “Film Studies” class in the afternoon and it was awesome! We made short movie which I still have. I tried to make friends and if you want to do the same, then you should do this: Don’t be shy. Keep Smile. Don’t be afraid your English. They’re not native speakers and they know you are also not a native speaker. Try every time. The first time i didn’t know their culture so I had a mistake. But after I had many friends and still contact with them. In December I’m going to Switzerland to meet my friend. Never give up and don’t … Read more

What happens to our students once they’ve left our doors for the last time and fly off into the horizon? Many of our students have gone on to do some pretty interesting things with their lives, and studying English as well as the overall experience of living in a foreign country, has a great deal to do with their success. “Watcha Up To?” showcases past students and have them share with us what they’re doing at the moment. Let’s say a very warm “Merhaba” to Volkan from Turkey and see what he’s been up to lately! ~Sheetal Makhan / AYC Watcha Up To? Hi. I am Volkan from Turkey. I have been in CT for six months between 18th November 2012 till 20th May 2013. When I  started to EC my level was Pre.Int  and at the end of this period I finished upper int. I wish I could get more time in CT but I had to come back to Turkey.I  am very happy to see  different cultures ,friends different activities. I had come to Cape Town to improve my English , it was very important and still important :). I think I got good ability and skills.For example specially correct writing, large Word memory, communication with people. I would like to say that I got confidence more than I have. You can’t buy it with Money  or rent it. Just studying, speaking. These are enough. Now, I work at the company that is also a manufacturer and  I am an exporter and salesman. I can use my English in my work.That is very big chance for me . It was my 3rd week in my job I  joined  to the fair because of my job. I spoke with costumers  English and I couldn’t see any problem.End of the fair I said myself WELL DONE VOLKAN 🙂 … Read more