We had the ever-popular Swiss Cooking activity this afternoon.
Claudia had nine students at start of the hour as she took charge of Yvonne’s classic Cheese Fondue recipe. However, by the time I went down to the kitchen to take some photos, there were a lot more students enjoying a dip. Everyone really enjoyed it, even those who’d never tasted fondue before. And DK said that since it contained schapps and wine, nobody would be able to do any homework tonight!
Two of the students took the recipe home so they could make it again at the weekend. And here it is it below in case you want to try it out at home.
Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
600g shredded cheese (50/50 Gruyere and Emmental)
I garlic clove
A third of a bottle of white wine
3 teaspoon of cornflour
3 small glasses kirsch
Ground pepper and nutmeg to taste
Method
Rub a heavy saucepan or fondue pot with the split garlic clove.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the kirsch.
Put the cheese and wine into the pan and slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
When the cheese is completely melted, add the kirsch and cornflour mixture, stirring vigourously.
Continue to cook and season to taste with pepper and nutmeg.
Serve over an alcohol lamp or candle plate warmer so the cooking can continue on a low heat.
Now enjoy by dipping in small pieces of bread, meat or vegetables speared on a fondue fork.
This week, Sammy’s English and Cooking Options Class made some delicious Japanese pancakes called Okonomi Yaki. The pancakes are filled with seafood and vegetables and covered with a delicious sauce.
Yesterday, Josie’s Upper Intermediate class, pretended to be me and interviewed each other in order to write a Happy Student profile. Below are two of the best, Isaac’s profile of Miguel and Aline’s profile of Andrew.
Andrew at Skateboarding
Andrew at Coffee Club
Andrew
Why did you choose Byron Bay?
Because it doesn’t have many Korean people so I can speak English a lot and I like the beaches and the nature a lot.
What do you like the most about Byron Bay?
It’s a small city so it’s easier to make friends and go anywhere by bicycle. I can go to the beach every day and people are friendly and happy.
What do you like most about Lexis?
Grant: he is so friendly, he makes a lot of activities, helps me to find a job and gives me a lot of advice.
Is it different to what you expected?
Yes, I thought Byron Bay would be really tiny but it’s bigger than what I expected.
Miguel at Salsa Raggaeton
Miguel at Skateboarding
Miguel
Why did you choose Byron Bay?
Because I heard it is like a paradise.
What do you like the most about Byron Bay?
The nature in Byron Bay is amazing!
What do you like most about Lexis?
The interaction with other students; meeting people from lots of other countries.
Is it different to what you expected?
Yes, I thought it would be quieter than it is so I was happily surprised.
Today, the students in the English and Cooking option are making risotto from a recipe supplied by Swiss Italian student Simone.
Simone, Marco and Satoru stir the rice
The students have been working hard this week to share their favourite recipes – learning all the recipe specific language along the way. And today, the fun part happens when they cook up the recipe of their choice. The finished results look amazing.
The recipe – in excellent English with some Italian translations
Our Upper Intermediate class saying Good Bye to Camila!
Today at Lexis Byron Bay we say goodbye to a very lovely student who has been with us for 6 months. We caught up with Camila and asked her a few questions.
Camila – 24 weeks – Brazil – Upper Intermediate
What are your plans now that you are finished here at Lexis?
I’m going to stay in Byron Bay and work and hang out and then I am actually coming back to Lexis to do a Cambridge course in a few months.
On a Bush Walk
How did you like the last 6 months at school?
It was perfect. I couldn’t speak one word at first and now I can hold conversations.
What was your favourite part?
Meeting all of the other students from around the world and making friends. Also learning about all of the other cultures from those other people.
Camila at Orientation her first day!
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Try to just speak English. Go outside the school and learn about real Australian Culture. Try the food and see places and meet the people. Travel as much as possible.
We are all very sad to see Camila leave but luckily she will be coming back to improve her English even more and we are all looking forward to her return!
So, you’ve decided you want to study English Australia but you are not sure about where to stay, during your studies, or how much it will cost? Here at Lexis Byron Bay we offer students three different options to suit their objectives, needs and budgets.
Homestay
Photos from the home of homestay providers – Claudia and Byron Bernardazzi
Many students elect for the traditional option of a homestay as it not only provides a safe, comfortable living environment, but also plenty of opportunities to meet local people, make lasting friendships and get in lots of English practice. Homestay options include half-board (breakfast and dinner), B&B (breakfast only), executive homestay (own bathroom) and twin room. Prices (2015) range from $160 (twin room B&B) to $270 (half-board executive).
CAE students Samy Ben Miled and José Da Silva Barbosaare currently in a twin-share homestay. José explains below why he chose this option and why he is enjoying it so far.
“I chose homestay so I could have contact with locals and experience another culture. It’s also a great way to improve my English. My experience with my family has been really good because the father has the same interests as me; football (soccer). Only yesterday, we went to watch a game together. I’m really lucky. “
Jose (far left) and Samy (front centre) enjoying the beach with other Lexis students
Student House
Front of student house
Twin room in student house
On the other hand, many students prefer the independence of living in a student house and if you like to cook, don’t mind doing your own cleaning and washing and can get on with a house full of sharemates from around the world, this might be the option for you! Rooms start at $160 for a twin share, while the most expensive option is a single room at $200.
Reto Neuhaus, a current Swiss German student, booked to stay in the student house for the entire 20 weeks of his studies. Below, he explains why.
“I thought it would be a great way to meet other students and make friends quickly and also enable me to live more independently than a homestay. When I arrived, I discovered that it was right next to the school, which is perfect!”
Student house kitchen
On-site Accommodation
Twin bedroom in on-site accommodation
Kitchen facilities for use by on-site accommodation residents
At Lexis Byron Bay we also have one other very special and unique option; students can live on-site in a purpose built accommodation block attached to the school. Students living on-site, share the lounge, kitchen and toilet facilities with the school while sleeping in brand new, light, bright, airy bedrooms. Laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi are included and standard prices range from $150 for four-bed dorm to $225 for a single. In addition, there are “Specials” at certain times which make the prices even more appealing.
I asked Sora Kim, from South Korea, how she enjoyed living on-site.
“It’s so good because you meet many people from lots of different countries and we all sit together in the evening and talk. Whenever I’m feeling lonely or homesick I can just go down to the kitchen and there’s always something going on. Also, because it’s attached to the school, I don’t have to worry about the weather or getting up early!”
The onsite student accommodation at Lexis school has been opened since late 2014 and has proved extremely popular with Lexis students, who can choose from single, twin or four bed dormitory style rooms.
For those of you that haven’t seen inside the accommodation, below are some photos of these gorgeous, clean, bright rooms.
It’s nearly six months since the opening of Byron Bay Student Accommodation (BBSA). I asked current Lexis English student and onsite residence Pedro Cesco Litwin, who has been here since February, about the benefits of living on campus.
Pedro (centre) in the student lounge
1. Location
“First of all, you don’t waste any time travelling to and from school. But also, it’s really close to the supermarket and other shops and facilities like the library. Most importantly, it’s in the middle of all the best beaches and surf spots; the Pass, Tallows Beach and Wategoes.”
Surfboard rack for accommodation residents
2. Flexibility
“My girlfriend is studying at university in Melbourne. She came up to visit me earlier this month and, even though she didn’t study at Lexis, she was able to stay in the accommodation with me. This is a benefit you don’t usually get from a homestay or a student house. Also, while, I started in a twin room, I’ve recently moved into a four-bed student dormitory in order to save some money. This was really easy for me to do.”
3. Friends from all over the world
“When I was studying in Melbourne I stayed in a homestay and then a share house. Both of these were great at the time and enabled me to meet many native speakers. However, I really like the fact that, in the Lexis accommodation, I’m living with people from all over the world. It’s a real insight into other people’s cultures and ways of life. In the evenings we often share food or get together to play cards, ping pong or soccer or even to watch a movie.”
Thanks for sharing, Pedro. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Byron Bay and your travels before you head back to Brazil.
Camila – 24 weeks – Brazil – Upper Intermediate
