Student Story: Seonyoung
In our latest edition of the Student Story series at Bell English, we are excited to share Seonyoung’s inspiring journey. Seonyoung, from South Korea, came to study with us at Bell Cambridge after a recommendation from a friend. Her story is filled with growth, friendship, and an undeniable love for the city and the school.
“My Korean friend was studying in Cambridge before, so he recommend for me to come to the city because it was relaxed and there were not many Korean people!” Seonyoung shares, knowing that to truly improve her English, she needed to be in an environment where she would have to communicate in English to make friends and connect with others, pushing herself to practise every day.
“Time has flown by. I really, really want to stay here longer, and I want to live in the UK forever because this city is so nice.”
She wanted a school with a large campus, gardens, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy her surroundings. That’s how she discovered Bell. “I told my agency that I wanted a really big campus with gardens and they recommended Bell Cambridge to me.”
Seonyoung has been studying at Bell for four months now, and although she initially thought that would be a long time, she has found the experience to be too short. “Time has flown by. I really, really want to stay here longer, and I want to live in the UK forever because this city is so nice.”
Coming to Bell was not without challenges. When Seonyoung first arrived, she could barely communicate in English. “When I first came here, I didn’t speak any English; I could only say yes or no. My English was really terrible, and my listening was also very bad.” However, with support from her teachers and new friends, her English quickly improved. “Now I think my English is much better than before. I talk with my friends a lot, and I ask my teachers many things, and they are really helpful.”
One of the things Seonyoung appreciates most about Bell is the teaching style. “The classes not boring, so I can focus for a long time. Before, when I started learning English, I couldn’t focus in class, but the teachers helped me a lot.” The teachers’ ability to adapt their teaching methods to each student’s needs has helped her stay engaged and make progress in her learning. “They change the way they teach, so it’s really helpful for me.”
Since arriving, Seonyoung’s English level has improved significantly, moving from A2+ to B1+, and she is on her way to B2. “I think I’ve improve a lot. At first, I couldn’t speak well like this, although I still need to improve more.”
Beyond the classroom, Seonyoung loves living in Cambridge. She enjoys going punting and often participates in activities with her classmates. “Sometimes we go bowling with friends, and it’s also a way to study and improve English with them, so it’s really nice.” She also enjoys practising her English with local people through small talk, and the British teachers at Bell help her learn more about the culture. “They often tell us their stories and stories about British Kings and Queens, about UK history. So, I think it’s really helpful for learning the culture too.”
The international atmosphere at Bell has given Seonyoung the opportunity to learn about many cultures. “I’ve made so many international students here, and I’m the only Korean at the school, so it’s really helpful for improving my English.” She has also had the chance to explore different cuisines on trips to London, experiencing food from places like Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Italy.
Reflecting on her overall experience, Seonyoung says, “I’ve learned so much about cultures from around the world, and I think that’s one of the best things about being here.” For her, Bell is “the best language school in Cambridge,” and she encourages new students to focus on building their vocabulary and practising with confidence. “The most important thing is to memorise a lot of vocabulary and use it with your friends to learn how to use it. Don’t be afraid, just be confident and speak as much as you can.”
Seonyoung’s journey at Bell English shows how, with determination and support, language learning can be a rewarding and life-changing experience.
To see our full interview with Seonyoung, watch on YouTube by clicking here.