English Language and an Authentic Aussie Lifestyle
19 Aug 2022
After finishing high school in southern Germany, Johannes Mayr headed to Australia to do something out of his “comfort zone”. He’s a big surfing fan, so the Gold Coast was an obvious destination. He has already surfed in France, and after he leaves Australia he’ll be doing the same in South Africa. But before that next adventure, he’s got an English course to finish at The Language Academy in Broadbeach.
Q: Why did you choose to study on the Gold Coast?
I am fascinated by the culture and nature. It's just beautiful here, especially in the sunshine – and the waves are very good!
Q: So you like surfing?
Yes, I'm very keen on surfing, but just learning. I visited a surf camp in France for four weeks during my school days, which was really nice. So I want to continue. Actually, when I was surfing at Currumbin Beach recently, I saw (international pro surfer) Kelly Slater. He was practising. Oh my god… very cool guy.
Q: Apart from the beach, what else do you like about the Gold Coast?
I like how open-minded people are here and the cultural diversity – there are so many different people coming together. And the many activities you can do like SkyPoint (observation deck) on the Q1 building, or going for a hike in the forest at Springbrook National Park.
Q: How difficult was the process to come here to study?
It was actually pretty easy. I did this through an agency, and I think I was one of the first students after the borders were opened again. I got here on March 19. It was a very nice feeling when I arrived. The [COVID-19] measures were pretty low already. There were not so many restrictions, and it was easy to get comfortable in Australia.
Q: How is your English coming along?
According to the feedback from my teacher and my whole family, it has improved a lot. That's also one of the main benefits of studying English in a native-speaking country. I get to speak English every day, which is better than if I did this course in Germany where I would have four hours of speaking English then switch back to German. Here you can reach a much higher level of progress and the teachers at The Language Academy are so helpful, it’s been a great experience.
Q: And it must help living with a homestay family on the Gold Coast?
Yes, I get a lot of chances to practise. All the time. I live with a family with three kids, and I'm kind of doing a daily care program with them. Like, in the morning I'm studying, and after that – on three particular days – I take care of the kids; take them out; do some activities with them. I took them to The Spit one time and to Burleigh Heads to have a barbecue. I get to use the family car to take them. I feel like I am kind of getting an insight into the authentic Aussie lifestyle.
Q: What are your plans after you finish at The Language Academy?
I'm doing a road trip from Cairns down to Melbourne, all the way down the east coast. I actually planned to do it on my own, but I made a post in a Facebook group for backpackers that has like 200,000 people. So I think now that I will be doing at least part of the trip with some new friends. After that, I'm going back to Germany, then I'll spend one year volunteering in South Africa. That was also one of the things on my bucket list. I am going with an agency, and I will be supporting the English teachers in the area where there are impoverished or disadvantaged kids.
Q: Whereabouts in South Africa are you volunteering?
It's in Johannesburg. So I'm also going to be doing a lot of surfing again. South Africa, like Australia, is one of my favourite countries. There are so many different animals in Australia. When I go to Cairns, I want to go to a national park and see those crocodiles. That will be amazing.
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