Louise's Presentation

May 2008- I found out that I was going to spend my year abroad in Mallorca. I was very happy about this as I had fond memories of holidaying there when I was younger, plus everyone was very jealous! I was going to the sun! I had only heard of Manacor- the town where I was going to work- because I knew that it was the hometown of Rafa Nadal. I didn’t know what to expect but I was looking forward to it. August 2008- I flew to Mallorca for a few days to see what Manacor was like and what amenities there were. As I am a fussy eater, I was

delighted to find a Burger King. I also liked some of the shops (very important for me!) in Manacor. However, as it was very warm, I spent most of my time swimming in the Medwhich I loved! I spent my 21st birthday in Mallorca, going round Palma on a sightseeing bus. I really liked Mallorca so I was very happy that I was going to spend a school year there. September 2008- I had a knee operation. My knee was giving me a lot of pain and without the operation I could not have come to Mallorca. After the operation, I was not allowed

to walk for a month and had to use crutches. My trip to Mallorca looked doubtful although I was determined to go! 1st October 2008- I arrived in Mallorca on crutches. My Dad came with me and he had to carry all the luggage! We spent the night in a hotel in Palma. That night, my knee was so painful that I could not get out of the hotel room. I honestly thought that I would have to go home. 2nd October 2008- My knee was still sore but I

managed to move. I had a meeting in Palma, where I met other language assistants in Mallorca. My Dad rented a car, and we booked into a hotel in Cala Millor-where I stayed until my flat was ready. 3rd October- I met the staff at both of my schoolsIES Mossen Alcover and EOI Manacor. Everyone was very friendly and the work sounded interesting. I really wanted to stay. 4th-5th October- that weekend I started to walk without my crutches. As I had not walked in

over a month, it felt very strange. As I have always found swimming easier than walking, I also spent a lot of time swimming in the Med. Although it was October, the weather was still warm and sunny, which I loved! 6th October- I started work and really enjoyed it. Everyone was very friendly. 10th October- My Dad left Mallorca. 11th October- My Mum arrived in Mallorca.

pain and my Mum started looking into flights home for me. I was very upset because I really didn’t want to leave Mallorca. 13th-17th October- My knee wasn’t as painful. When I wasn’t working, my Mum and I explored the island and visited Pollenca and Arta, among other places. 15th October- My Mum and I had dinner in a British restaurant in Cala Millor. The England vs. Belarus football game was on TV and there was a lot of English people there. When Belarus scored my Mum and I both jumped out

of our seats with happiness. The room, full of English people, went silent, and everyone glared at us! It was very funny! 18th October- Britta and I (eventually) moved into our flat. As I love swimming, I was delighted that the flat had a swimming pool! Over the past 8 months, I have spent a lot of time there. 20th October- My Mum left Mallorca. 14th-17th November- I met my Mum in Barcelona and we spent the weekend there. We did a lot of shopping and visited a lot of attractions,

such as La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. We also toured the Nou Camp and saw some of the players leaving the stadium! I loved Barcelona! 19th December-4th January- I went home for Christmas and celebrated the New Year in Edinburgh. 17th January- Sant Antoni. I really enjoyed the Sant Antoni celebrations as, for me, it was very different from anything that I had experienced before. Apparently, Britta and I were even on local TV looking at one of the

fires! 7th-9th February- I met my Mum in Madrid and we spent the weekend there. We did a lot of shopping and visited many sights. I especially liked the Royal Palace as it looked like it belonged in a fairytale! We also visited the Bernabeu stadium. In the museum, we even found a mention of Kilmarnock, our favourite team. (The two teams played each other in the ‘60’s. Kilmarnock drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in Scotland, but lost 5-1 in Madrid.) I really liked Madrid!

9th- 14th February- My Mum came back to Mallorca with me. We visited more places-such as Valldemossa and Deia. As we hired a car, and my knee wasn’t too painful, I was able to drive! At first, it was quite scary driving on the wrong side of the road but I soon enjoyed it! 21st February- Carnival. As Scotland is not a Catholic country, we do not celebrate Carnival. I really enjoyed Carnival (I dressed up as a punk) and it was fun to see everyone dressed up! I especially loved the fact that there was a group of men dressed up as Scots!

3rd-7th March- My cousin, Sheena, came to visit me in Mallorca. We also rented a car and explored the island. I especially liked the Cap de Formentor as the views were beautiful! We also went paddling in the Med when it was raining…it was quite cold! 9th-19th April- I went back to Scotland for Easter and spent a few days in the Highlands. I also went to a Kilmarnock football game and the other team, Falkirk, had a player from Manacor! 1st-4th May- My Mum came out to Mallorca for

a few days. As the weather was good, we spent most of our time on a beach, my favourite being Cala Mondrago. 7th-10th May-I surprised my parents by going home for the weekend. They had no idea and the expressions on their faces were priceless! 11th May- 24th May- As the weather had been very good, I have spent most of my time swimming in my pool or in the Med. It has been like a holiday!

I have really enjoyed my 8 months in Mallorca. I loved helping to teach English and everyone has been very friendly to me. Living in a different country and a different culture has been a great experience and I loved my time here! I don’t want to go home!