STEFANIE HERTFELDER's Testimonial (Deutsche)

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What, you want to go to Scotland to learn and improve your English? What, to the Outer Hebrides, not only to the edge of Great Britain but even to the edge of Europe? Why don’t you go to London or the southern part of England for a language learning stay?” With these questions I was very often confronted after I had made my decision for a three months language learning stay in Stornoway on the Outer Hebrides. Now, almost at the end of my language adventure, I can only say: the decision for Stornoway and the Outer Hebrides was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my lifetime!

I can’t imagine a better place or institution as the MiLC to immerse myself in the English language. Stornoway isn’t overcrowded by thousands of other foreign language students. Here, not only one single day I‘ve had the chance to escape the English language and already before my departure I had been convinced that it is a myth that only the English are able to speak “proper” English. And it is a myth. Of course the people here speak a Scottish accent but in Germany we also speak loads of various dialects, don’t we? Thus, no foreign German language student should go e.g. to the southern part of Germany to learn German there…and by the way, here I had the chance to encounter and learn a very old and special language: Gaelic.

In many respects there is something to be said for the life “on the edge of Europe and on an island”. First and foremost the people living here are very warm-hearted and offer you a very warmly and open-hearted welcome wherever you go. I’ve never met an unfriendly person, quite the contrary has happened. With great interest for my person, my origin, my home country Germany and my contemporary country of residence Switzerland I was even invited to visit the local primary school to tell the children something about me, Germany and Switzerland.

And another characteristic of the living here: for “a cup of tea” is always enough time! This doesn’t mean that the people up here don’t have any stress but my impression is that the Hebrideans sing a different tune compared to Central Europe for the simply reason that you live here so far away from all the “important problems” and of course living on an island also means that the priorities in life are different to the priorities of living in bustling places. Hence, the famous “Christian Sabbath” was a very special and extremely positive experience for a normally very busy Central European woman like me. It guarantees a day of time-out every week no matter what is going on and offers a great chance to rejuvenate from all the things you’ve done during the week. It is definitely one of the key components which made my life experience here unique.

As the capital of the Outer Hebrides Stornoway is characterised by a modern sports centre, cinema, crafts- and art-centre (An Lanntair), shopping facilities, nice cafés, restaurants and pubs. However, you can move freely and without any fear also during the night. Unsafe or in danger I’ve had never felt myself.

My student accommodation, the Bayhead Bridge Centre, was next to the Castle Grounds and therefore only a few minutes away from the MiLC and the Lewis Castle College. My room had a cosy window corner with view into the Castle Grounds as well as over the harbour. A huge armchair made this corner a really comfortable place to have a cup of tea in the morning…Furthermore I had got my own private facilities and the room offered everything you need to study. The kitchen which is shared with the other residents of the accommodation is huge and very well equipped. The “soul” of the Bridge Centre are Marion and Mike to whom I want to say THANK YOU for their warm-hearted welcome and their sympathetic ear. They do a great job!

During the day I’ve focused on studying the English language in my English class by means of an excellent book and various, funny and exciting language activities in the afternoon. Gordon as a teacher has always been prepared excellently. He is open for any questions, critique or suggestions and he sets great value upon fluency in speaking. Consequently the classes with him have never been boring! He’s always stressed that he is only able to give me “the bones and the skeleton of the English language” which I can only make alive in training together with other English native speakers. This is no problem in Stornoway!

Besides my English course I’ve explored the islands on my own, I’ve been hiking together with the Hebridean Walking Club almost every Sunday for a couple of hours (either in the mountains of Harris or along the coast of Lewis), I’ve attended a Gaelic course at the Lewis Castle College, I’ve done a sewing workshop (and now I am the proud owner of a self-made skirt of Harris Tweed), I’ve been to the cinema, theatre and concerts and last but not least I’ve met the people where they are rooted: in church. A service at Martin’s Memorial Church is a great experience in any case! And these are only a few options to get yourself socialised in Stornoway…

In a nutshell: Stornoway and the MiLC are HIGHLY RECOMMANDED! Whoever is looking for a quite but not boring place to learn English, getting to know the Celtic culture, a closer contact with the local people, making new friends finds in Stornoway the ideal place for all that. Whoever is dreaming of a journey to the inside of themselves for a long time, finding quietness and leaving all the stress behind finds in Stronoway the perfect place! My time up here is memorable especially because of the extraordinary people I was allowed to meet and get to know!

Finally I only can say: Thanks a lot for the great time and the unforgettable experience!

Stefanie