Travelling Around the UK

Since arriving in London as a German language assistant, I have not only been enjoying my time at school but also using every opportunity to explore the UK. The school itself is wonderful and very welcoming, and one of the best parts of the experience is that travelling is also part of the job. Several school trips have allowed me to discover new places while working with the students.

One of the first highlights was travelling to Oxford during the school’s Language Week. The city has such a special academic atmosphere, and it was exciting to experience it together with the students. Another work-related visit took me to the British Film Institute (BFI) in London, where we explored resources that can be used for A-Level teaching. It was interesting to see how film can be used as a teaching tool in language and culture lessons.

Two particularly exciting school trips are still fresh in my memory. I accompanied the German class on a week-long trip to Munich, which was a great experience because the students could practise their German in a real-life setting. Shortly afterwards, I travelled with a history class to Belgium, where we visited important historical sites and learned more about European history outside the classroom.

Besides these work-related trips, I have also been travelling on my own as much as possible. One of my favourite places so far has been Bath. I took the train there for a day trip, and the city is incredibly charming with its beautiful Georgian architecture and relaxed atmosphere. You can walk through the historic streets, visit the famous Roman Baths, or simply enjoy the cafés and small shops.

I also visited Oxford again on a separate day trip booked from London. This time I joined a guided tour through the historic colleges and saw the famous Bodleian Library. Walking through the courtyards and old buildings really makes you feel as if you are a student in Hogwarts.

Another lovely destination was Canterbury, which I visited by train as well. It is a very calm and a very pretty city, famous for its impressive cathedral, one of the oldest and most important in England. The atmosphere there felt really peaceful compared to London.

One of my favourite weekend trips so far has been York. The city has a slightly mysterious, almost ghostly charm, especially with its narrow medieval streets. York Minster is absolutely stunning, and walking along the old city walls offers beautiful views over the city. Of course, I also had to try a traditional Sunday roast there, which made the weekend trip feel even more complete.

There are still many places left on my travel list. One of the biggest upcoming plans is a trip to Scotland (Glasgow & Edinburgh with a tour to the Highlands) during the Easter holidays. I am very excited to explore the landscapes and cities there and continue discovering more of the UK while living and working here until June.