English UK East News

The Best Investment is to Invest in Yourself.

"I work in a big international pharmaceutical company, I like traveling and painting. I have been learning English for a many years in Bulgaria, having a large pool of grammar and vocabulary, which were passive and I used to speak with difficulties. I am a perfectionist and I was dissatisfied with my English level. I was sure that I could improve it. I traveled a lot and never had problems with communication, but English was as a barrier, which I couldn't overcome at that time” Albena Kostova, PhD in Genetics says honestly.

A friend of hers showed her an article about a man, who learnt English in Cambridge and she decided that the moment to improve her English had come. She contacted a mediation company “Dialog359”, which helped the man from Facebook. There was an answer and concrete offer for her on the next day.“ I was in doubt about my decision, and found a woman) in Facebook, who learnt English in Cambridge. I took a decision after an inspirational talk with her.” Maria from “Dialog 359” was helpful; she answered all my questions and calmed me down about my worries. I was worried about the host family, food (because I am a vegetarian), how I would I feel in a new place, organization ….and most of all whether would have an improvement” says Albena. All her worries disappeared at the moment when she arrived in England and there was a perfect organization.

The flight was late at night but host family was waiting for her. Her host mother helped her to get settled in and explained her the way to Studio Cambridge. “I decided not to use a public transport and walked to school. I was fascinated by peaceful, quiet and green Cambridge. At school the staff were waiting for me, they were smiling and kind. I filled in the needed documents and did a level test. After the test all we new students had a sightseeing tour in Cambridge with a guide. “Cambridge captivated me with its beautiful architecture and its academic and aristocratic spirit”narrates the ambitious Bulgarian lady about the beginning of her language vacation. She was fascinated by her teacher Phillip Brown, PhD and his non-stereotyping manner of teaching. He is artistic, smiling and erudite. Students from different countries were involved in his stories about English culture, famous English poets, musicians and painters. Meanwhile he had an individual manner to each student. I studied with great pleasure, talked with my host family, even I used “baby English” to speak with the granddaughters of host family, when they visited us. The barrier with speaking was broken. The passive pool of words became an active one” narrates Albena Kostova. Two weeks went by quickly and now Albena realized that this was the most exciting vacation during which she made new friends, traveled and relaxed. Studio Cambridge organized various after lessons activities –painting, football, speaking, swimming, punting and visiting museums. During the weekends were organized excursions to different parts of England. Albena visited Shakespeare’s birthplace and Warwick Castle.

If somebody still has doubts about a language vacation abroad, I hope that I will help him/her to take a decision. Set high aims and requirements for yourself, broke the barriers in front of you and invest in knowledge and new skills. The best investment is to invest in yourself. It is never too late to invest in your future says Albena, who speaks English fluently.

Best regards,
Albena