Success story of Dmitry Vinogradsky

My name is Dima, I am from Rostov-on-Don, I am 18 years old. Now, in 2020, I am a first-year student at UCL University (London) studying economics.

(approx. UCL – University College London – one of the most prestigious and respected universities in the UK, number 1 in London for research (Research Strength (REF2014), where Dima entered after 3 years of study at a British school!) p>

University College London< /p>

My story began back in 2016, when my father decided that he wanted to give me a good Western higher education. However, entering a good foreign university after graduating from school abroad is much easier than entering as a graduate of a Russian school. 

Parents contacted the Paradise company, discussed possible school options, after which they interviewed me to understand my wishes for schools and my level of English. This helped Paradise suggest us SCHOOLS SUITABLE FOR ME.

On the one hand, I understood that the decision to study in England was excellent, and, on the other hand, I absolutely did not want to leave for England or any other country for two reasons. The first — my doubts about my level of English and the resulting difficulties that I would have to face. Simply put, I was scared to step out of my comfort zone. For those who are facing the same problem, all I can say right now is that by stepping out of your comfort zone, you become a better person.

The second problem was much more significant for me: my friends. I was very lucky to find really good, loyal friends. I understood that when I left, I would not be able to maintain regular contact with them. This caused fear of losing them.

However, one smart woman told me: “Take this as a test of strength. If these friends are really as loyal as you think, then your departure will not affect your friendship." The fact that I only saw my friends in person once every 2 months only strengthened our friendship. Our meetings have become much more interesting and fun, and most importantly, we have become convinced of the strength of our friendship. 

So I want to say to all those who may encounter a problem like mine: don’t worry! Your friends, if they are real, will not go anywhere. If they run away, it means they are not so real, and such friends are not needed at all.

According to the results of entrance tests to the school Queen Ethelburga's College, which was my favorite, I showed a good level of mathematics, but I needed to improve my English, and then the Paradise company offered me a summer school course Bishopstrow College. What makes Bishopstrow special is that it is not just a summer camp. This is where real lessons are taught. This greatly helps ADAPT TO THE ENGLISH EDUCATION SYSTEM, as a result of which it becomes much easier to start full-time studies at a British school.

Bishopstrow college

There is a very serious and strict approach to learning here: during the school day everyone communicates only in English. There are “no other languages” from 8 a.m. to 5-6 p.m., and students face severe penalties for violating the rules. Undoubtedly, this is a great way to speed up learning a foreign language.

So, I completed training at the summer school Bishopstrow and came to study in < a href="https://paradise-education.ru/countries/britain/secondary_education/queen-ethelburgas-college/">Queen Ethelburga's College. 

The first week of September is entirely devoted to organizational issues and helps new students adapt:

1. Checking in new students to the dormitories;
2. Meeting classmates and teachers;
3. Select items;
4. Exploring the school grounds.

At this stage, there are usually no difficulties, especially because high school students and simply students who have been studying at this school for several years now actively help the new students. 

The only advice I can give is to visit the schools early and get to know them before the school year starts.

When I acted as a high school student responsible for helping to settle new students, I was surprised that the parents who arrived with the students asked to show them the school and tell them what and where it was. It turns out that some students and their parents (who most likely entered the school directly, and not through an agency) saw the school in person for the first time only on September 1, which amazed me.

WHEN CHOOSING SCHOOLS, I ADVISE YOU TO VISIT THEM, because quite often this can radically change your choice. In addition, there is some information about the school that it is advisable to familiarize yourself with before arriving at the educational institution. In this regard, the company "Paradise" performs its functions perfectly, informing its clients about all the important aspects of training and the intricacies of the schools themselves.

Throughout the entire training, head teachers and regular subject teachers will regularly inform students about what needs to be done and what is required of them. Therefore, in terms of studying, everything is quite simple: you want to study well — learn and listen to the advice of your elders.

Queen Ethelburga's College

It is worth noting that the curriculum in Russia and England is very different, including the order in which certain topics are studied in the subjects. For this reason, in most cases the English material is from an academic point of view (excluding difficulties arising due to a low level of English ) seems very easy to Russian schoolchildren. So, for example, my classmate, who was a C student in specialized mathematics in Russia, turned out to be an excellent student in the same specialized mathematics in England.

It is worth noting, however, that this difference arises because in England certain topics are covered later than in Russia, and not because England has a less strong program in mathematics or any other subject. Some students do not understand this and begin to put less effort into their studies, as a result of which after a year or two they already end up with C/B students in England. 

I advise you to use this “head start”, which arose due to the difference in training programs, as an opportunity to study the material in English.

For understanding, let me compare me with my peer at QE (also from Russia): we were both excellent students in Russia, and both knew mathematics very well. However, we both had certain problems with the English language. Quite often it happens that in a math task it is necessary to solve some example, so even without a confident knowledge of the English language, performing several arithmetic operations does not cause any difficulties. In this situation, however, I read both the condition and the question, and learned new words and terms applicable to describe certain mathematical expressions. My Russian friend, on the contrary, did not read the questions and simply performed arithmetic operations. This led to the fact that after a year this student stopped studying specialized mathematics, and after a year and a half he was no longer successful even in ordinary mathematics. And all because he simply did not understand mathematical terms in English.

I, on the contrary, having correctly used time and opportunities, was able to create a certain database of terms and keywords (key words), which helped me successfully study specialized mathematics throughout my schooling. 

The same approach applies to other items.

Finally, I would like to remind you that STUDYING AT A BOARDING SCHOOL – This is not just a change of curriculum from Russian to English, it is also a STEP TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFE. A huge number of decisions will be made directly by the student himself. Therefore, I advise everyone to think carefully about where they want to be in 5-10 years. I'm not talking about a specific job/profession. Just answer these questions for yourself:

1. I want to study at a top university?
2. I want to become a professional in my industry?
3. Do I want to become successful in life? 

The nuance of studying at a boarding school is that the school provides many opportunities. But some people confuse responsibility for their actions (independence) with freedom and impunity. Some students stop studying, playing sports, and attending clubs. Perhaps these guys are still having fun and are happy with their lifestyle. However, in most cases, such people achieve very little results in life.

Appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to study in England, in an education system where students are given a choice of subjects that interest them. Can't study? No problem! Play sports. Schools provide tuition discounts to students who are members of school sports teams that compete. QE has athletes who compete for ENGLAND PROFESSIONAL TEAMS. That's great too. There are students who have organized large volunteer events. There are winners of various art exhibitions.

The main thing – this is that the guys develop and improve in certain directions.

Ultimately, a large list of personal awards and achievements helps increase your chances of getting into a good university, and also simply helps you become a more well-rounded and interesting person.

In my case, the main success factors were two components:

1. The ability to work productively without being distracted by anything.
2. A desire to follow the advice of QE teachers and head teachers as it is their job to do whatever it takes to make us the best version of ourselves. And therefore, the advice they give must be effective (which turned out to be true).

As I mentioned earlier, starting your studies at a boarding school is the first step towards independent living. School will give you a lot of opportunities and help, but it also gives you choice. The choice — it's your responsibility. What you choose will determine the development of your personality and who you become in the future. The only question is what choice you make, how many opportunities you use...

As they say in QE “Do the best that you can with the gifts that you have” (“Work to the maximum of your capabilities, using all your talents.”)

Queen Ethelburga's College

Bishopstrow College