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Last weekend the first group of English students enjoyed our Weekend Out-of-town Immersion Course.
The trip started on a sunny Saturday morning. Everyone was excited, looking forward to a relaxing weekend in the country. Little did they know about the difficult tasks that their teacher and management had prepared for them.
It took us only 30 minutes to get to the village of Chkarino. A comfortable minibus delivered us safely into the welcoming sunshine and smiles of the hotel staff. We were met by Lira the hotel manager who was looking after us from that moment onwards never leaving us for a second. Checking into the hotel took a few seconds, afterwards we began our first English class. The vocabulary connected with horseracing, relaxing in the countryside and enjoying beautiful fall weather was difficult but well presented. There was a lot of singing and playing games involved.
After the class - our first ever riding lesson. If we are honest, we will admit that some of us were scared but with the help of our professional coach Maria we soon mastered basic skills.
Unfortunately, the riding lesson could not last all day, as we would very much like it to be, we still had to eat something and learn more English. The dinner followed, the rule of speaking only English at table was strictly observed there as well.
After dinner a bit more English and then a short ride. All the way through we were accompanied by the instructors who made sure it was safe. Although, on a beautiful day like that all we cared for was the sunshine, the beautiful nature around us and the wonderful animals that we had a chance to get to know. Again, the ride was over and saddened by that but looking forward to more fun we returned to the hotel. After the evening meal we watched a video (in English, of course) and discussed it. We went to bed happy and relaxed. The day that was planned as a hard day of learning various difficult activities had gone leaving just an impression of joy and lovely sunshine.
The second day began with some fun morning exercises and followed by activities similar to the first day. After lunch when our program was over we got together at the hotel to summarize our experiences and thank each other. It was an exciting trip that turned out to be very educational as well.
Vera Byzova
vbyzova@yoshkar-ola.com
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Students' impressions
This incredibly interesting trip has brought much joy and many happy moments to all of us. We didn't have any free time, everything was happening as if by itself. There was no uneasiness and it seemed as we all had known each other all our lives.
We spoke English to each other, sang English songs and - the most exciting - we went riding. The magic feeling, back from our childhood, of joy from being around these beautiful animals, especially when your skin meets with the wind and beautiful nature is all around you and you are riding. It's impossible to render it in words. After the lesson your appetite goes up, so the beautifully set table with fruit and desert made us equally happy. At the table we discussed what we had seen and experienced in English. It was fantastic!
In the evening, we watched a movie (in English), stopping it occasionally for Vera and Marina to explain to us the words that we didn't know. We were a team, Marina and Vera arranged everything so wonderfully, each of them was one of us. Big thanks to Vera and the rest of the management for this magical trip. Of course, we are grateful to Marina, our teacher, and to our boyfriends and fiances who made this wonderful gift to us. It was unbelievable, we would be happy to repeat it any time.
Elena, Vera and Nadia
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