I had to fly from the my town to the Moscow for nine hours. It was long and uncomfortable flight (in Russia we have not good standards for passengers and I call it an ‘embryo’ pose). My fellow traveler from Khrasnoyarsk to Moscow was a beautiful young woman wearied into very short skirt. I don’t know why she chose set by me (in this time of year our planes semi-empty). May be because I was wearing into white clothes. We were speaking some minutes and after it I had returned to my thoughts about my trip to unknown and little bit scarred the UK. She left me and found place near a man from the Caucus (people this nationality in Russia can speak with women all time when they see them). I have not eyes on my back, but I could listen scandal between this couple and airhostess, they were accused of smoking and sex in the toilet on 10000 meters above sea level. I hope they have a lot of fun in this tiny room. Before landing she had returned at her place by me. When I asked her about the scandal, she said that she couldn’t live without intercourse. In my point of view we have hard influence by Hollywood’s films.

OK, let’s start my England exploration. Immigration control office is the first official British person with whom you have to have a meet. It was very pleasant encounter for me. This man had struck me very much – he translated my Russian name and checked it with correct Embassy’s variant (he didn’t use not correct Russian-French variant of my name spelling. At my English school all people knew me under French-spelling name). Office was very polite and asked me only about how long I would have been in the UK. And that was all! I heard a lot of terrible stories how immigration officers return Russian people back to Moscow after immigration control. I told him that I was planning to stay here for period of study. He said, “Welcome to the UK”.After it I passed customs control without any questions.

Taxi driver was a middle-age man; his car was new and very comfortable like Japanese car. I did not speak with anybody for last 25 hours, so I was happy to spoke with him. We had an interesting chat about English people and lifestyle. He was a very good storyteller and willingly explained many interesting things. I said that I was in the US the year before and he asked me a lot of questions about my trip. He was unusual a taxi driver because he worked for my English school and knew a lot of interesting things about my future school-life. Beautiful car, beautiful roads, amazing view outside windows, interesting chat – I was very happy again.

My host-family mama asked me about my food tests a lot. And after it I was received a standard English breakfast – toasts and tea (I like honey very much and could eat it). Question about food is more complicated in England. Every nationality has own cuisine and it is very difficult to find compromise into multy-nationality students’ tastes. After too weeks negotiations with my host-family mama I had a very good English breakfast: hot oat porridge, toasts, honey and tea. It was good for me, but I was exception from the rules. Some students had serial with milk or tea and toasts.

Problem with lunch had solved by itself. One of the host-family members had a birthday-holiday. We were invited too. Our host family had a light drink (I think it was one their drink for my eight weeks). I didn’t drink but many people did it. At the end of the birthday’s party our host-family mama ask direct question (that was unusual for English people): “If you have a problem, don’t complain to school administration, let’s discuss it with me first “. We answered that we have a huge problem – our dinner meal. We discussed details and after that day we had a very good dinner meal – potato (boiled and frying), rise, vegetables, chicken, fish or meat. I discussed about meal with my classmate and they said that my host-family is a very good with meal. I think it was a good luck for me to live in host-family where I was.

My firm that organised my study trip supplied me with Hastings map. It was great! My host-family explained to me how find my school and where is more interesting and attractive places in they town. With a map and short instructions I was going to explore unknown land.

The sun was shining and my soul was singing. I had an excellent mood. After Russia it was all very good – roads, old beautiful buildings, narrow streets, very polite car drivers… I found my school, visited huge shop-centre, but most of all impressed me the sea. It was very exiting to see it with big white ships, that were sailing some where, may be to the US. Hastings – tourists’ town, so native people well relative to foreign people specially if you have enough money. I counted three main businesses in this town – tourism, education and making children. I saw unemployment people who asked ma a change, but they are very different than in Russia – more polite and civilisation. I climbed on the highest hill and was enjoyed with terrific view at the sea and town from that high. For my opinion it better one time to see than write a lot about it.

After test we had received school’s ID cards with our pictures and printed stuff with instructions and advises for many cases of my new life in England. It was a very useful stuff! I read it carefully and it advises help me very much in the future. ID card is very powerful thing too – you have a lot discounts in the different places – shops, cinemas, discos… And it is very important documents for the police.

We had a short tour round the school with explanation what, where and when we can do in different facilities. The most important for me was a computer class (with a very fast Internet access) and Lab (place where you can improve your listening and pronunciation abilities). School has some departments for direct help to students – accommodation department and “Fan factory” for spent a free time. For my opinion there are a real professionals who makes our students’ life very interesting and useful. And very important for us was a reception – nervous centre of our school – they can help you with any problems (sorry but I used to they help very often).

As rule you income into group that started study book some times ago and you continue with this group. When I joined to my first group – they were in the middle of process. I studied this stuff in Russia (Intermediate level) and after talk with teacher I had repeated it again for two weeks (I had made all exercises in my book and repeated all grammar rules and tests). After this period I wrote composition to my teacher that this level not good for me and I was promoted.

I want to say about teacher’s role. That role is huge and this is the first person who helps you study English efficiently. All teachers that I had at school (I had seven) were well skilled, easygoing, friendly and helpful. And the same time all of them were very different and everybody wants give you something new and specific. Nobody will force you study - all up to you, but if you want study very much (like me) – your teacher gives you all for it. Russian education system not so relaxing and many students make a mistake if didn’t do home tasks and forget about self-study.

How I was studying? I think it may be help for you, but I had a strong motivation for it – spending a lot of money, eight weeks and thoughts about future. Yes, it is a very important to have a strong motivation (the best fun for me in England was English language). So, I waked up at 6:30, short exercises with listening a BBC news station, shower and first self-study lesson. I remembered and repeated new words that I had met previously day. If I had more time I repeated grammar but usually I had no time – we had a lot of idioms and phrasal verbs that I had to remember. Breakfast was at 8:00 and after it I was going to school (it was a good possibility to catch a computer for Internet access at the computer’s class). Four hours morning’s classes and two hours day classes, two hours training in the Lab (listening, speaking). Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. At the end – home task and if I had a free time I watched British TV (BBC 1,2; ITV or Channel 4). Watching TV was the most interesting part in my education process. As you can see my best fun was an English Language. Not so bad!

This city is one of the historical centres of our civilisation, very old and attractive. Many of the most interesting places are placed in one part of this City – in the City of London. So, you can spend only one day for explore this place. But for more detail exploration you will been requested much more time.

School has special man for organise like these excursions. Andrew has a lot of experiences as a tourist guide and a person who can manage with a lot of students. He gave to us special map with part of London where would be our excursion, his mobile number for emergency and we had explanation where our bus would be wait our departure. I think, he perfectly organised our excursion.

We used to English language for explanation and could saw understanding on the other students’ faces – Andrew can speak to international students and his English Language was very crisp and clear (so I can consider all excursions like additional free English lessons!)

How much an average excursion costs? It depends where are you going, usually 15 Pounds (and it more cheaply than your own trip). You can visit and foreign countries. It was excursion to Paris and Amsterdam. I asked about this excursion, but when they had known that I am from Russia, they only said: ‘Don’t worry, it’s OK, your life didn’t finish yet.’ The main problem is to apply foreign visa and nobody likes Russian people today. But if you are from a normal country - your English school will make all to help you for applying a foreign visa (it would be real useful support).

There was a lot of Chinese (from Hong Kong) teachers into my excursion group. They government paid for they practice in the UK. Teachers from China were very friendly and spoke English fluently. I live on the board with China, but on the North, people from China in my region not so friendly and tidy (and they don’t know the English Language). For me it would be mystery why people in China so different.

We had a lot of different activities – role plays, games, discussing stories, quizzes, competitions between teams... We were studying new idioms, phrasal verbs. I don’t know why students not seriously visited these lessons. Lisa didn't give to us home task, but we have to remember new vocabulary. Real rule 'up to you'. One day I explained to Russian girl some phrasal verbs and idioms and she was in shock that we studied it at the afternoon lessons. After it she had started visited afternoon lessons.

On my opinion relation between you and host-family depends very much from you. If your behave is well - host-family’s relations would be good for you too. And very important discuss any problems with your host-family. We had one problem in our house – water leakage from a bathroom on the second floor to the ceiling on the first. Host – family spent a lot of money for repair a ceiling and the bathroom (they installed special shower for students) some month ago. So, we had a huge problem. But two students – I am and teacher from the China volunteered to fix this problem. After bathroom inspections we had found that problem is in a gap between Dutch tile and wall where can leakage water. They have special stuff for fix this problem. But they gave tools and putty to me (with words about trust to Russian people). I was proud and had done all work with high quality, used to some Russian methods. The teacher from China helped me with advises. We spent one hour for fix this problem. Leakage had been stopped. Two sides were reasonably happy and satisfied.

This is a tourist’s town. The most of attractions is of course pubs, but I tell you about it in the next chapter. English people as tourists have very exiting nightlife. Usually they start at 8:00 p.m. by visiting pubs until 11:00 p.m. (after 11:00 p.m. pubs don’t sell alcohol drinks. Tony Blear promised revoked this ridiculous low and easy won previously elections (loll)). After it you can visit nigh club.

Typical dish in Hastings is chip and fish – frying cod into flour with lemon and potatoes bricks (3.75 Pounds). All it sells wide into any shops and you can prepare this food at home. If you prepaid it yourself it would cost into 5 times cheaper.

Another typical dish – beacon, frying egg, potatoes bricks, beans and small sausage (4.05 Pounds). English like it well down frying. But tourists (especially from French) like salads. I tried one time it, in spite cook’s warning that it wouldn’t good for me. He was right and I couldn’t eat uncooked field mushrooms. It was very interesting feelings into my stomach after this meal. Bit it was not a big problem for me because all students (include me) had problems with stomach in England. Teachers sympathise to us but they couldn’t help – English food is real trail for foreign people. One of the first words that we had studied was indigestion.

But I knew English language and I could explain to cafe’s cook what I want – jacket potato, weak frying beacon and sausage, coleslaw and hot weak tea with sugar. It was excellent for cafe and me (they had habitué who brings another students for a meal).

The English teacher from China tried forced me to explain Russian young students that it is not polite when one student are standing into queue (in the school’s canteen for lunch) and another fifty are going before him without queue. It was very difficult to understand him one of our basic Russian tradition – attempts to have all without any efforts. The man from the China couldn’t understand it, but what about more polite people from England?

One student from Arabic Emirates lost his patience and had broken young student’s not very much polite head. I hate any violence but Russian culture very direct and tuft. When I was flying from Moscow to London there was a huge children’s group from Moscow. They were siting before me – six children on three chairs (Boeing is huge plain) and they did all exclude sex – fitting, screaming, drooping, kissing. Very polite passengers had asked airhostess to stop this ‘orgy’ but airhostess said to young children occupied they place. But children did nothing. After half an hour we had a supper and children were received armament – salt, sugar chocolate bars. They were ready to fight with each other and another passengers. One of they ‘bullet’ had hinted my eye. It was last drop into my patient and I kicked one head before me by my hand. When they turned to me they faces, I said ‘You lost your sugar, sirs’. After this direct interrupt, war was stopped and we had something like order. One orderly woman that was sitting before this group of children told to me ‘Thank you’. I was happy and afraid (in case if one of this boy’s fathers could be a Mafia boss, but all finished OK – I am alive).

Education system that we have in Russia is a very different than in England. Nobody would force you study. All ‘Up to you’. So, when you send you children study in England are ready that they wouldn’t study. Another way – try to find strong motivation to them. Because absence your direct control and absolutely free with your money (all parents give they children money for additional food, sweets and fun) can hurt your children. I met many young students who spent parent’s money for cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. And Russian young students would not inform teacher about these problems – it is one of the basic Russian traditions too.

All of these shops have good equipment, computer terminals, and friendly stuff. But they have a very different selection of merchandise. First one have a lot of high quality goods – fresh fruits, berry, organic food, meet. Another one (‘Lids’) have only everyday choose – potato, salt, beer, juice, milk, bread, detergent.

I bought organic juice and black berry in Mark&Spencer shop. I heard that New Zealand scientists prove that using black berry can stop growing old process into human body and sometimes can reverse this process (I don’t believe to any superstition but who knows, specially after British’s’ scientists discoveries). Anyway, I was eating black berry as often as I could – from France and Spain.

I had some problems with sound ‘th’, because we have not this sound in our language and no one guide book has recommendations for Russian speakers. Our teacher had showed our imperfections and asks everybody to help each other – correct them. I don’t know about another pupils but we correct each other without another hesitating. I spent many hours for improve some my English sounds (friends help – is power).

We had many role-plays at our lessons. And we had made film about one investigation (road accident). It was very interesting watch yourself by TV with teacher comments about your grammar and pronunciation. I was happy, but our young pupils were unsatisfied – they were needed more grammar and work with book. I was disagreeing with them because teacher Carrie was giving for us more important things about English language, things that we couldn’t find into our books.

Our guide Andrew had taken mini-van for this night raid rounds the pubs. Our group consists of eight students - one woman from Switzerland, Ukraine, some men from France (scuba diving instructions), cool businessman from Ukraine and I am. We were going to visited three different pubs nearby our town.

Many English men start they drink at 8 p.m. from the one pub and then relocate to another. They raid would had been finished at after 11:00 p.m. We had the same schedule. First pub has Queen’s name and beautiful view on the valley. I had ordered black tea – unusual customer for any pub. One French man explained that at the top of this valley placed nuclear power station and if they have a problem with the radiation - flood would go here. I think, he likes black humour and I didn’t guess that I am living nears to the nuclear power station.

The second pub was near a beautiful castle. It is a famous full functionally castles – lovely place for moviemaker (I could remember that I saw this place in the film about Robin Hood). We couldn’t visit it because it was late and had started rain. Into the pub was not crowded. Man from Check republic asked our guide about relationships between England and French ‘All this castles had been built for protect England against French Army. You proud that at this place at 1066 year enemy forces (French forces) were destroyed. And what about relationships between France and England?’ Had became very quietly but after some seconds French men and English people in the pub had started laughing. Yes, all this fights into the history (I hope so).

I had started my long jump into obscurity at 6:45 at the central Hastings’ railway station. I didn’t see any stuff – it was holiday and very early. Train was new (for Russian measures) and cleans enough. Smiling female conductor checked my tickets (I had two because returned trip ticket costs cheaper). After about thirty minutes our train had arrived to the station where we were asked leave our train. It was surprise for me (it was my first trip by train) and I asked one superior railway officer when we can continue our trip to London. He explained me all very polite that after five minutes we continue and it would be good for me if I occupy more comfortable van. Yes, no one in Russia would give me this polite advice! I had sitted into the more comfortable van and I had my first fellow traveller – blonde with cellular phone. She was looking at me for five minutes and asked where am I from. I said that I am from Russia, here interest disappeared and she asked my permission for sleep. Yes, English people have no inferiority complexes and they behaviour are very natural.

I had arrived to London on time but it was only one at this day. I had to use tube (underground) for reach another railway station where would be another train to Cambridge. Main transport in England is Government property – trains, railways, and buses. It all really good! I used to one my ticket for all of them! Very conveniently, but some people in the British Government want destroy this system. I can give advice to them – welcome to the Russia to see semi-private separated system. In the UK is a very good railway now!

London’s tube not so good like in Moscow, but for me it was OK, because I had reached my destination without any problems and additional money. There was my first problem – my train had been cancelled. But near platform was railwayman who explained how could I reach Cambridge by another train and bus (without any additional money or any tickets!) I had done it because I know English language, but I could see how two students from China missed they train (they were very cool and reach with cellular phones) and I hope they could reach Cambridge by another train. I called to Johnatan about changing my destination and he said that he could intercept me at this new station.

Johnatan is a scientist and he sent into his e-mail his picture, so I could recognise him without any problems. It was very exiting meeting for me because it was my fist friends in England. I had a lot of questions about the UK and a British lifestyle and nobody could answer except Johnatan and Nancy. They showed me Cambridge’s environs with very good explanations. We were speaking all time when I was with they – tonnes of new information.

Cambridge is a very beautiful city with a lot of historical and scientific traditions. I could see a lot of places that I had read before – universities, college’s churches. Every place in Cambridge connected with world history and you have to see this place by yourself (it would be unforgettable impressions into your life). My guides couldn’t clearly explain how work this huge educational system (I drew the obvious inference that all are very complicated).

Education for England is the most important business. This business gives revenue for country and promotes English lifestyle around the world. Now I can understand why so small (geographical) country had, has and will have large influence around the world. English people use they brain a lot for it – they sell knowledge and the English language. It is difficult to say what was the first – knowledge or language, but the English Language is main for conversation between countries and English University degree recognised everywhere. This policy is on a Government level – if you want study and have enough money – you could apply British visa without any problems. I am delighted with this policy!

Few hours pass through like several minutes and I had to return to Hastings. This trip showed for me that my impression about England was wrong – the UK is very flexible country that can change infrastructure for new kinds of business. I could saw the business system like in the US – many modern international companies at the one place (the silicon fen). I like this country!