EF Language Travel: Torquay and London

Hi there!

If you’re reading this post right now, I have a piece of update information for you! I changed my blog to this new website, so from now on you can find me here in Lily.fi. So are you ready for the new post?

I feel like everytime I could start my text with ”It’s been a while since I wrote the last blog post”, as there are so many things happening in my life right now. But this time I don’t want to start my post that way. Because it’s boring. And I don’t really have to apologize for being buzy or having such a hectic life. That’s just me.

However, this blog post is not only a story about my buzy life, as you might have noticed the caption. Yes, this post is about my summer job and Language Travel with EF (Education First). For those, who don’t know what EF is, a short explanation. EF is a Language Travel agency, which focuses on international education, study abroad, language learning, cultural exchange and academic programs. The courses are targeted especially for youth.

I have participated in an EF Language Course myself when I was 15 years old. It felt super nostalgic when I applied for EF to become a course leader. So I got the job and also got to know the destination, where I would travel: Torquay, United Kingdom. Exactly the same place where I was 9 years ago as a student! Woah! So let’s see how the whole trip was!

DAY 1

We started our trip from Helsinki airport early on Monday morning (the flight was supposed to leave at 8am so I needed to be at 4.45am at the airport!). Yup, I barely could sleep the night before the departure. My group consisted of 26 students and me. At first, it felt a little chaotic to control all the students and make sure everyone got through the check-in, security check and passport control but eventually we made it.

At the Gatwick airport everything went pretty smoothly, even though I couldn’t get my UK sim card working. Luckily we found our EF bus and were headed to Torquay. The weather was pretty bad during the first days and I have to admit that including the tiredness I felt a little down as I felt I had so much responsibility all by myself.

In Torquay we were welcomed with happy smiles and high fives by the senior managers of EF Torquay. We spent couple of hours in an EF Riviera Center playing games and chitchatting. Everyone was pretty exhausted after the travelling so I was very glad when our host families picked us up. Honesty talk: When I arrived in my host family’s place and got to go to my own room, I started crying. I think I was just so overwhelmed by everything. I was actually pretty surprised of my reaction. I think it was somehow a small culture shock for me to go in a foreingers’ house and be in such a different environment. Anyhow, I just thought to myself things will get easier when I get to rest and settle down.

DAY 2

First official school day is here! My host family mom Ellen drove me to the EF school and there I met my activity leader. Again, I could feel the information flood coming up. There were many things we needed to organize; gather our group together, collect bus money from the students, make sure everyone is in the right place, share some information about the upcoming events etc.

Luckily I had a small break between the activities so I had a little walk in the center or Torquay. It felt so amazingly nostalgic, as I walked through the shopping streets and could see the same shops like nine years ago.

After the students had their first lesson, we had the Orientation Walk through Torquay. My activity leader leaded us through the town and shared some great tips about the most important places the students needed to know. After that the students were supposed to go back to their host families and have dinner.

From the very first day, my routine was that after the afternoon activities I stayed in the center and went shopping. This was the best therapy for me after the super buzy days.

The last evening activity started always at 7.30pm at the ”Big Wheel” (Ferris Wheel). On Monday the activity was EF DISCO! This was maybe the best activity in my opinion, as we leaders got to dance on the stage (including other duties).

Typically I was back at my host family’s place after 11pm. If I my team had ”town duty” We would stay out until 11pm making sure the kids were safely back home (as their curfew was at 11pm). This meant I was in bed around 12am…ZZzzz

DAY 3

As I don’t want to write a marathon text, from now on I will summarize all the activities that happened in one day.

Morning activity: EF Lounge.
This was also my and also most of the students’ favorite activity, as they could either stay at the lounge for chilling, go shopping or have a coffee in the center. I of course was walking in the center making sure that the kids were okay and mayyybe shopping a bit.

Afternoon activity: The students had school and for the leaders it would mean either organizing and planning some activities, meetings or free time. We had leader meetings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so this Wednesday we needed to meet at the EF school. After the meeting I went to search for a gym, as I really felt I needed some true ”sports therapy”. So I found a great gym pretty close to the EF school (Castle Fitness Torquay) and let me tell you: I was absolutely in heaven. Good workout, good mood.

Evening activity: Host Family Evening. This was a chill evening for both the students and the leaders as we could just stay ”home” and rest. Very, very useful activity.

DAY 4

Morning activity: Students had school, Siiri did a workout! This morning we also had a photoshoot for the EF class pictures.

Afternoon activity: Kents Cavern. Thus was also pretty nostalgic, as I visited the same place 9 years ago. Kents Cavern is a prehistoric cave, home of ancient humans, award winning visitor attraction in Torquay – with tours, shop, cafe and visitor center. It was cool to go there and have a taste of ancient history!

Evening activity:EF DISCO! Shake it Shake it!

DAY 5

Morning activity: Bowling! This was a great start for the day, as a competitive person that I am I looove all kinds of sports games. I think the students also enjoyed this easy-going activity.

Afternoon activity: EF Staff meeting. Siiri’s gym workout.

Evening activity: Murder Mystery! We met again at the Big Wheel at 7.30pm after that the students were supposed to walk around the beach side and interview the ”suspects”. They had maps so that they knew where the different characters were. In the end of the activity, the student were supposed to state the guilty one. This was a fun activity, but at least in my group (which included about 70% French, 15% Italian and 15% Finnish students) I felt that all the activities were kinda like ”controlled chaos”. Well, at least I think they had fun.

DAY 6

Saturday was dedicated for the Quaywest Waterpark. We spent a nice day there, even though I could feel my throat getting sore.

In the evening we also had a water activity called Splashdown Party. As I felt a little ill, I chose to be in the optional outdoor activity where the kids could play various games. Even though I felt ill, I got excited about the outdoor activities and so I instructed a fitness class for my students. It was great fun, but the next day wasn’t that fun…

DAY 7

Sunday was called ”The Choice Day” and the students could choose between EF Beach, EF Arena or a trip to Plymouth. I was named to be in an EF Beach Team. As the weather turned out to be pretty bad (raining all day), we decided to give the students some spare time in the morning and go shopping in the center for couple of hours. While the kids were shopping we leaders were planning what we could do for the rest of the day with the group.

As I was feeling pretty ill (sore throat and maybe a little fever) I suggested to go to the movies with some of the students. So we went to watch the newest Men In Black movie. The movie was great, but I began to feel even worse and my fever rose. I was so happy that we had host family evening on this day, as I just wanted to go to my host family’s place and sleep.

DAY 8

In the middle of the night I woke up with a terrible stomach ache and feeling nauseous. I ran straight to the toilet and started throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up even more. Until there was nothing in my body.

When I woke up (well I couldn’t really sleep during the night) I felt horrible. I tried to stand up but I couldn’t. I couldn’t even drink water as I felt so sick. Imagine : having a fever, sore throat, flu and stomach bug at the same time. Not nice.

On this Monday we were supposed to go to Exeter with our group but unfortunately I had to give up on that. Luckily there were some other leaders, who could back me up. So I stayed in bed for the whole day and tried to rest. I had never felt so nauseous and weak.

DAY 9

Morning activity: Luckily on Tuesday I felt a little bit better already so I decided to participate in the morning activity. This morning’s activity was the EF Beach Club at the Babbacombe Beach. It was a nice and chill activity as the students could just play games, do some water sports and take it easy.

In the afternoon I needed to fill in some Leader forms and plan how to collect the money from the students for upcoming activities. Otherwise, I just tried to take it easy.

Evening activity: EF Talent Show. This was a super exciting activity as the students got a chance to show their talents and perform on the stage. It was great to see how amazing skills many of the kids had. So proud of my Finnish students! <3

After the Talent Show I had the Town duty, which ment that some of the leaders needed to walk around the town and make sure the kids were safe home. I wasn’t still feeling very well, but you got to do what you got to do.

DAY 10

Morning activity: The students had school and I went to my happy place: GYM! I know I wasn’t still completely healed but for the sake of my mental health I did a small workout. Damn it felt good!

Afternoon activity: Before the afternoon activity, I needed to collect the London money from the students so they get to see all the possible sights in London. These tasks demand lots of planning from the course leader, as you need to make sure that all the kids are happy and they have enough time to pay the possible activities they want.

After that we needed to rush with my activity leader to the bank. We had literally 10 minutes to go to the bank, leave the money and meet the students at the Big Wheel for the next activity. We made it!

Afternoon activity was called the Battlefield Laser Games. This was actually also one of my favorite activities, which was surprising as it was kinda like live Counter Strike. Basically we were divided into two teams and we had to run around and try to shoot the opposites. Crazy fun!

Evening activity: Host Family Evening. Chilling out, taking it easy.

DAY 11

Last day in Torquay!

Morning activity: EF Lounge. The students could go hanging out in the center or stay at the lounge. Nice!

Afternoon activity: Graduation! First, the kids had school but in the end of the classes they had their graduation party, Woop Woop! We leaders were preparing everything for them before the actual graduation started. Okay, have to admit, I also did a small gym workout in between. No excuses.

Evening activity: Last EF Disco. Party partyyy! I literally danced on the stage for 3 hours straight as I didn’t have any other duties. Was sweaty as… :D After the disco I also went to hang out with the other leaders at the ”Spoons” to have a last ”Unicorn drink”.

DAY 12

London calling! I woke up at 5.30 as our bus left at 6.30 to London. I was sooo looking forward to the London trip. It’s definitely one of my favorite cities in Europe.

Around 1pm we arrived in London and got to see our hostel. As we couldn’t check in then, we went to walk around the city. I was nice to walk and get some fresh air while admiring the beautiful sights of London.

We had booked the London Eye in advance so around 6pm we were headed there. It was as great as I renembered. You could see the whole city there!

Rest of the evening was just chilling at the hotel and gathering some energy for the next day.

DAY 13

Best. Day. Ever. SHOPPIIIING!!! Let me tell you, as a shopaholic that I am, the center of London is my heaven. So basically, in the morning we were divided into two groups, those who went to Madame Tussauds and those who went shopping. Guess were I was.

We had around 6 hours for shopping, but I had to be constantly aware were the students were even though they had plenty of free time. Anyway, I really enjoyed my freedom for once as I walked (or ran) down the streets and could go anywhere I wanted. I was also happy to see how the students enjoyed shopping.

In the evening EF had booked us a table in an Italian restaurant so we had a nice dinner together with our group. After that we were headed back to the hostel.

As some of the students wanted to go sight seeing later in the evening we decided to go see the Tower Bridge. That was a nice ending for the trip. I got some amazing pictures there!

DAY 14

Back to Finland!

Our flight was supposed to leave at 6.50pm from the Gatwick airport so we had some time to spend in London before leaving. Some wanted to go sightseeing and some wanted just to chill close to the hotel.

Our bus came around 2.30pm and we started our trip back home. Everything went pretty smoothly, until we arrived in the airport. One of my students had lost their passport…well, what can you do. We tried to search from all of the luggage but we couldn’t find it.

I could have panicked. I could have cried. But I didn’t. I knew that this was the time when my students need me to be the adult and take care of everything. So I called the Finnish EF office, local office, my student’s host family, contacted the info desk, flight attendants and another EF Staff member but no one could help us.

While we were trying to figure out the passport issue, I needed to keep in my mind that there were 25 other students waiting for my instructions. I gave them the booking numbers and told them to do the check-in together and make sure everything is right. If they weren’t sure about something they could ask me.

As the others were doing their check-in, I realized we didn’t need the passports to do the check-in as there was the similar flight company and our personal information was saved on the computers. This way we could do the check-in for the student, who didn’t have her passport. Of course the flight attendant had to call to Helsinki and make sure that the student is allowed to fly back to Finland without the passport. Thank god it was all good!!

Rest of the trip went pretty smoothly (even though there was some extra weight in many of the students luggage including me, I was sweating my ass off and the flight was a little delayed.)

When we landed in Helsinki I can’t even describe how happy I was that everyone was safe and we made it! At the same time I felt extremely wonderful and a little sad, as we had to say good byes. My Finnish Team was amazing and the students were super independent and brave! Proud of you guys <3

Now, with plenty of new memories I will end my post with positive thoughts. I learned a lot during those two weeks, but in the end I have to say I’m happy to be back home and continue our wedding planning.

Wishing you amazing week! <3

Think pink,

💖: Siiri

(PS. If you want to check out some cool pics from our trip, check my insta @siiri_m)