This is an All Ears English bonus episode, Sandra's Adventure Story.
English confidence on the beach after a weekend in Boston.
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Today we have Sandra to tell us about her experience on the adventure in Boston.
Hear how she built confidence in Boston and it stuck with her during an English conversation that she had on the beach back in France.
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Hey, Sandra.
Welcome to All Ears English.
How are you?
Hey, Lindsay.
I'm so fine.
And you?
Hey, we're happy to have you on the show today.
I know you're a listener of All Ears English and you joined us in Boston for the first Urban English Adventure.
How do you feel coming off that program?
Yeah, it was amazing, you know, it was just incredible thing.
But yeah, I'm in Paris now and, you know, it's time fly.
I know, the time has really flown by fast.
That weekend went so fast, didn't it?
Yeah.
Oh, it's incredible.
They say the time flies when you're having fun, right?
Yeah, exactly.
It was just amazing.
Yeah.
So let's talk about it.
I think our listeners want to hear a little bit more about this weekend.
So what was your favorite part of the whole weekend?
My favorite part of the weekend was the drama lab.
We were in the park with native speakers and Michel and you, and this moment was so spontaneous.
Everybody was happy to be here and having fun, you know?
And just let me to explain what this lab.
This lab consisted to play in pairs and said the same sentence with different voice intonations.
And in a second part of this lab, we had to invent a short show and play it together in front of the others.
And at the same time, you know, the others had to guess what kind of story we played.
It was really funny.
That was so funny, wasn't it?
Yeah, everyone was laughing.
And did you have a native speaker in your group?
Who was in your group?
Do you remember?
Yeah, it was Angela.
Okay, awesome.
You know the singer.
Yeah, she is an opera singer.
How cool is that?
An opera singer from Boston.
Yeah.
And was there another student in your group also for that skit?
Yeah, it was Rodrigo from Brazil.
Oh, great.
OK.
And what do you think was the main way that you benefited from the drama lab?
What did what did you get from the drama lab?
Spontaneous, you know, spontaneously.
I think this is a war because.
We were so exciting but at the same time it was so funny and you can be like you are when you play.
You know.
Yeah, exactly.
So, now that it's been about a week since the program finished, are you carrying that spontaneity into your life?
A little confidence, more confidence.
Yeah, I think so.
I think so.
I have an example, but I don't know if I can tell now or maybe for the second question.
I don't know.
I'm not so sure.
Maybe the other one question.
Okay, maybe the next question.
I'm sure you tell us.
We want to know.
So let me ask you another question.
So if you could describe this trip in just one word, what would it be?
For sure.
Incredible adventure.
Awesome.
Was it better than you expected?
You know, I'm this kind of person.
I don't have any perspectives or expectations, you know.
And when I arrived at Boston, it was just, wow, I'm here with...
Eight learners, wow, it was just incredible.
And at this time, I could realize I was here.
And I just lived step by step the moment.
That's a good way to be, right?
It was so intense that that was the only way to do it, right?
One moment at a time.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And how about our group?
I mean, how did that feel with the other listeners, the other eight lucky listeners?
How did that feel to you, our group?
About, you know, to be with other learners?
Yes, exactly.
You know, for me, it was like a summer camp, you know, because...
You don't know anyone and you have to talk and break down the barriers to understand quickly who they are and to trust them.
So to me, we weren't like learners, but more like Erasmus students in a different country.
So we had to adapt ourselves, you know, to the situation.
Yeah, I love that.
And I think, the fact that you guys were in such an intense experience together.
You had to become close very quickly.
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah, of course.
Of course.
It's amazing, you know, like you like we were a teenager.
Yeah.
Yes, that's right.
We were kind of playing all over the city, right?
Running all over the city, getting into games and having fun, laughing.
That's awesome.
Well, what about your English?
I mean, that's the reason you joined the group.
The primary reason is to improve your English.
So, would you say that your English got better?
Yeah.
It's easier for me to understand the American accent.
Hmm.
And to speak naturally.
And this is my example.
You know, I was on the French beach, calm and so quiet.
And suddenly someone arrived and disturbed me.
My tranquility.
So I had to explain something to this guy, you know, and I found immediately my words and I was so confident in myself.
So I think this trip, you know, was like just two words for me.
It's confidence and understanding.
Hey guys, by now you've heard a few of these adventure stories.
So time is running out.
We're only accepting 12 people and the special low price goes up September 20th.
So go now to allearsenglish.com forward slash Boston to apply.
I hope to see you in Boston.
I love that.
I love that.
So did this happen on the beach just a few days?
Did this happen in Boston on the beach after the program?
No, no, no.
No, in France.
No, in France, in France, but to the French beach, you know.
Okay.
Okay.
And was the person speaking English to you or was it just more you were confident in general?
No, no.
She was speaking to me with a Russian accent.
In English, right?
Exactly.
For sure.
Oh, my goodness.
Okay.
So you had a chance to right away test out your confidence right there.
Exactly.
Exactly.
So it was really interesting to see it and to observe, you know.
That is so cool.
And I know for your work, do you do some corporate work?
Corporate work?
Do you use English in your work at all?
Oh, no, I'm sorry.
Not at all.
But, you know, I applied for a new job in London.
So maybe we will see.
We'll see.
Yeah.
So, hopefully in that case, you'll be able to use your English and you'll feel that confidence.
Exactly.
I love that.
I love that.
Okay.
That's great.
That's a good story.
It's a great result.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you.
And in this program, you know, we invited native speakers, local people, to come and join us for the social events and some of the challenges.
What did you learn from those native speakers, Sandra?
A lot of things, you know, because the American native speakers were so, so amazing.
So first of all, their American culture.
Secondly, an amazing enthusiasm and kindness.
And certainly I met new people and I had new connections.
To continue to improve my English after this adventure, obviously.
Awesome.
That's fantastic.
I think one of the first activities we did was the article, right?
You read the article.
Do you remember that?
Yeah, of course.
Yeah.
How was that for you to learn the other person's perspective on the election of 2016?
Hmm.
You know, it was really interesting because in France, we had the same basis here.
And to compare American and French, it was really interesting.
Yeah, interesting.
But at the same time we can compare our culture and your culture and my culture, and expectations are really really same.
Even if you are in America and even if I'm in France, I think we want the same thing.
You know the
Like having not fun but having a good job and raising our kids, and to be safe when we walk, for example, when we walk on the street, you know.
So I think we have the same expectations.
I think so.
But in a different way.
But I think we can... Yeah, we are humans.
We are humans.
So we can...
You know what I mean?
I know, I know exactly.
I know, I know exactly what you mean.
I think that is maybe the larger piece of this program that we realize that we are so connected, right.
That's part that ties in with the connection, not perfection.
Exactly human level.
On a deeper level, cross cultural level.
We know that we yeah, we want to.
We just want to be able to support our families and do well in life and reach our goals.
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
This is kind of thing.
Thanks.
No, that's great.
You articulated it very well.
I'm glad that you felt that because that is one of the goals of the program.
I love that.
So cool.
Okay, so Sandra, we have just one more question.
I have another question for you.
Yeah, yeah, I'm ready.
Okay.
So in your mind, I mean, how is this program different from a language school?
So different, you know, because we were immersed in the culture and just not sitting on a chair.
And because we had to practice again and again during more than eight hours per day.
So it was really intense and definitely satisfying to observe our progress, you know.
Awesome.
It was intense, right?
We had long days.
I remember we had the happy hour, right?
At 8pm on Thursday.
And you guys were tired because you had just gotten off the plane.
I think when you arrived, you looked tired.
But then, you know, I said, guys, we're meeting at 8am tomorrow morning.
So be ready.
But, I mean, did you like that fast-paced style, that intensive style?
Yeah, of course, because you know you have just three days and in three days you have to to do so many things.
So you have to be in this mood, you know, okay, it's eight o'clock tomorrow.
No problem.
I know that.
So it's for sure.
I'm here for for this, this kind of thing.
You know not to be here at 11 o'clock and Yeah yes, yes.
That's what I thought too, right?
Exactly.
And I mean, you can sleep on the plane.
You can sleep when you get home, right?
But when you're in Boston on this adventure, you're here to practice your English, speak with natives and build connections right.
That's the point.
Yeah, yeah.
I love that.
Yeah.
I love that.
So any final advice for one of our listeners who might be thinking of joining the next session in October.
Be yourself and trust in Lindsay and Michel because for sure it will be really, really amazing.
And so...
So an expected way.
Yeah.
In an unexpected way.
I love that.
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
I love that.
Oh, so good.
Oh, Sandra, I'm so happy that you were a part of our group.
You added so much to the group and we loved getting to know you.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Me too.
For me, it was so, so nice.
Really, really.
Awesome.
And thanks for hanging out with me today on the podcast.
For sure.
I'm really happy.
I'm really happy.
Thank you so much.
All right.
We'll be in touch.
Talk to you soon.
Of course.
Bye bye.
See you on the day.
Bye bye.
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