Bright World at the Study World Conference

This is Lana and James, Directors of Bright World Guardianships at the Study World Conference in London - Lana is committing to some advertising spend with a new agent for us in the Ukraine, 'Business Link'.

The photograph was taken by Ekaterina Shapovalova, their client manager. She took this photograph so we would never be able to deny agreeing to the spend!

We very much look forward to working with them in the future, and being UK guardians to their students at UK boarding schools.

Are you missing home? Some helpful advice if you're suffering from 'culture shock'

No matter how old you are, or how experienced a traveller, being away from home can be both an exciting and frightening experience. You may find that you miss family, friends and pets, and even things like eating different foods to what you are used to can cause people to become anxious and upset.

We use the term 'Culture Shock' to describe unexpected or unwanted feelings when someone is taken out of their familiar comfortable surroundings and placed in an unfamiliar and new environment that they are unsure of.

Although experiencing culture shock is normal, it is not pleasant. But do remember that it will pass.

We have made some suggestions below of how you can help to ease the effects and feelings of culture shock:

Contact - keep in touch with your family and friends back home. If you don't have a mobile phone, then send an email. Schools often have a computer which students are able to use if they don't have their own laptop. Ask your teacher or houseparent for the times when you are allowed to use it, or the times of when you are able to use Wifi for your own laptop. If you have a mobile phone, send a text home or ask your parents to call you at an agreed time. Please do check with your mobile phone provider for costs. Alternatively, use Skype to video call home.

Diary - keep a diary, and write down your experiences of your first few weeks at school. Write down how you feel each day, what has made you smile, the new people you have met, and what you have learned.

Communication - Talk! Introduce yourself to other students, find out what you have in common. Involve yourself in games and social activities with others. Often, speaking with someone else who is also experiencing culture shock can help, as you can talk about how you feel to someone who understands. Your houseparents will also listen to you if you want to talk to an adult about how you are feeling, and may be able to offer useful advice, as they will have spoken to many pupils experiencing culture shock before. Your Bright World Buddy is also only a phonecall away.

Letter - write letters to your family and friends and ask them to write back to you. Its always a nice surprise to receive a letter in the post!

Photographs - put pictures of your family and friends on your wall, or on your desk in your room. Ask your parents to send a favourite teddy, or posters or postcards from home that you might find comforting.

Food - although you are not allowed to bring certain types of food into the UK from overseas, you may find that a local shop imports and stocks snacks that you are familiar with.

Lastly - use Facebook!! Being the worlds number one social networking site, its a fantastic way of keeping in touch with everyone. You can upload your pictures, and post messages on your friends' walls. Stop by the Bright World Guardianships Facebook page and tell us how you are getting on! We would love to hear from you!

Bright World Welcomes Another New Member!

Bright World are pleased to introduce you to another new member of our fast-growing team!

Cory Holden joined us recently as our newest Guardianship Care Manager, and has been working tirelessly to organise transfers for our students coming to study in the UK this September.

It's our busiest time of year with all our students returning to the UK at almost the same time, and Cory is doing an excellent job keeping up with all your calls and emails!

Countdown To The Start Of The Academic Term

As the start to the new school year approaches fast, you may ask yourself if you have made all the necessary arrangements for your child’s return to school here in the UK. For parents of new students especially, it can be worrying trying to remember to do everything you need to. So Bright World have pulled together a checklist of things you will need to consider.

Guardianship – while your child studies here in the UK, he or she will require an educational Guardian, who will provide or organise accommodation during half term holidays and exeat weekends. The guardian will also provide emergency contact, in case of illness, or any problems at school. Bright World guardianships is highly recommended by UK schools as a first class provider of guardianship service. If you would like to read more about our services, please Click here.

Visa – for all non-EU residents, your child will need a visa to come and study in the UK. Bright World work in association with a Visa Advisor who will be able to help with any queries you may have regarding your child’s visa. You can contact Lana Foster with your questions.

Flights and Transfers – Please give the full flight details or inward travel arrangements to your childs’ Guardianship Care Manager at Bright World. We will make the necessary transfer arrangements, and ensure that your child is escorted safely to school. Sometimes flight schedules mean that students arrive before school re-opens. In such cases, we will be pleased to find a host family to look after your child until they can return to school.If you are accompanying your child to school personally, it is equally as important to let us know the details.

Uniforms – quite often, parents who accompany their child to the UK will be able to book an appointment with the school Uniform Shop, via the school website, or over the telephone. Staff at the Uniform Shop will be able to measure your child up for their school uniform and offer advice, but if you are at all concerned, either the houseparent or your child’s Bright world Buddy may be able to go along and offer assistance where needed.

Mobile Phone – In the UK, children under the age of 17 will require an adult to be present when they purchase a mobile phone contract or SIM card. Upon request, Houseparents often take their students into the local town to do this soon after arrival.

Registration with Local Police – Shortly after arriving in the UK, your child will by law, be required to register with the schools’ local police. Usually the houseparents will organise this – if in doubt please contact your child’s houseparent, or your Bright World Guardianship Care Manager, and we will be able to check for you.

We hope that your child’s journey to the UK is a safe and pleasant one, and we welcome any questions you may have about your childs Guardianship with Bright World.

Bright World welcomes a new member to our team

Bright World Guardianships is so pleased to welcome a new member to their team. Tammy Lindsay joined us on Monday 16th May and is already working hard with her colleagues in the guardianship team. As Guardianship Care Manager, Tammy is already helping to sort out all our guardianship students for their forthcoming half term holiday where they will stay with local host families or fly home to Mum and Dad.

Tammy is also already busy planning next academic year as well as we are predicting another increase in student numbers for September.

Bright World Education & Guardianships: British Boarding Schools Workshop

Bright World Education & Guardianships: British Boarding Schools Workshop

British Boarding Schools Workshop

Sheena Trist and Lana Foster both had a great time and some very successful meetings at the recent British Boarding Schools Workshop held in Windsor.

We met up with old friends - many UK boarding school Heads and Registrars as well as made some new contacts.

Lana was busy meeting current agents - and also made some new contracts. Our existing agents had nothing but good things to say about our guardianship service which made us very proud.

Here is Lana at the stand - shame she didnt iron the table cloth really!