School exchange Scotland

Paul, Eliza, Joel and I spent two weeks in St Leonards as part of a student exchange programme in Scotland. We were accommodated in a boarding school, which seemed much less organised than our school. Nevertheless, it was interesting to get an impression of everyday school life in the UK. It was a bit of a shame that many of the pupils spoke German, which meant that we didn’t get to learn English on a daily basis. At least you could have a good conversation in English with the house staff, who were all very friendly.
The weather was typically Scottish: lots of rain, lots of wind, not much sun. Nevertheless, we had a good time. The people there were open and friendly, which made a big difference. We spent a lot of our free time in St Andrews. The town was really beautiful and had a special atmosphere. We also played golf there a lot, which is somehow part of the experience when you’re in Scotland.
Overall, the exchange was a cool experience. You got to know new people, experienced a different culture and simply left everyday life behind. Even if the English wasn’t practised as intensively as I had hoped, it was still worth the trip.

Matteo Viandt

I was in Scotland from 02.06.2025 to 27.06.2025 as part of a castle exchange programme. The school “St Leonards” is located in St Andrews, the home of golf. I accepted this opportunity because of the sport and the language. During these 3 weeks I got to know both the good and the bad sides of the country. The nature, the golf courses were breathtaking and having the beach on my doorstep was sensational. However, as is the case up there, the weather didn’t play ball. It often rained, which spoilt the whole experience a little. However, we were able to find an activity even in bad weather, such as socialising with other students. We also went on trips to Edinburgh or North Berwick when the weather allowed. In conclusion, it was a good experience and I would definitely recommend the exchange for golfers and sportspeople.

Paul Sixel

In June, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Scotland and visit St Leonards School in St Andrews. The school has a very international character and is located directly on the coast – a really beautiful location with a traditional flair. The lessons were interesting and well organised, but the best thing was definitely the strong community among the exchange students. I got to know lots of new people and quickly felt at home.
A particular highlight of my stay was that I was often able to play golf – which is of course something very special in St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. The courses there are impressive and it was great to share my passion for golf with others.

However, the weather was often pretty bad – typically Scottish: lots of wind and rain. Unfortunately, the food was also not always convincing, often quite simple and not very varied. Nevertheless, we were offered lots of exciting excursions, including to Edinburgh and North Berwick, both of which I really enjoyed.
Despite some minor drawbacks, the stay was a great experience, especially because of the sporting opportunities and the friendly atmosphere. I can definitely recommend the exchange to all golf-loving students!

Joel Krämer

In June, I was given the opportunity to take part in a two-week exchange programme in Scotland. I went to St Leonards boarding school in St Andrews, a beautiful school on the coast of Scotland. The school was built in the traditional Scottish style and immediately impressed me with its charm. The lessons were a little different to those here in Germany, for example there were fewer subjects, but I was impressed by them and they were very interesting. The friendly teachers and classmates made you feel at home straight away and you were quickly integrated, so the somewhat stricter rules didn’t bother you. You quickly got to know new people who were very helpful and impressed you with their manner. St Andrews is a diverse, historic and interesting city with lots to do. The many delicious restaurants and shops, and of course the golf courses, quickly won me over. As golf was invented in St Andrews and it is the “golf town”, there were many beautiful and modern golf courses, and the location on the coast and the view of the sea was unique.
A particular highlight of my stay was the number of golf courses and the fact that you always had the chance to play golf. The courses were impressive and your swing was analysed in the boxes at the driving range so that you quickly recognised your mistakes and could improve. The coach we had was also very nice and was able to support everyone perfectly with their level. Another highlight for me was the University of St Andrews. It was much bigger than I expected and impressed me with its many buildings and facilities. I was particularly impressed by the university’s research and specifically its cancer research, as they had a very rare and advanced device that can perfectly “replicate” human cells.
Despite some minor stumbling blocks, such as my suitcase not arriving for the first time or the generally poor Scottish weather, the city won me over. The stay was a great experience and the various sporting opportunities and friendly people contributed to this. I would recommend the exchange, especially to golf enthusiasts, but also to anyone who would like to see boarding school life in another country and gain new experiences.

Eliza Retzlaff