" A home away from home" - Our student Valerie on her time at Dollar Academy in Scotland

Valerie only wanted to go to England for two or three terms in her Year 11. It turned out to be a three-year stay. This summer, Valerie graduated with honours from Dollar Academy and sent us her great feedback: "I liked so many things! The enthusiasm and passion of my teachers not only made the lessons more exciting, but also inspired me to try new things, such as debating and philosophy, where I learned a lot about argumentation, about thinkers, about history and politics. I also really liked the structure of  boarding life, such as the "Prep time" (study time from 6-8am), and I can now organise my own learning much better. I have really enjoyed living with lots of girls, including new best friends, and loved hearing new stories and perspectives from people all over the world: I now have best friends not only in Scotland, but also in Brazil, the Czech Republic, Armenia and Ukraine. The Boarding House has always felt like a safe place - a home away from home - as I have always been supported by my girls and my Houseparents - no matter if there were problems with my health, at school or at home in Germany. I have grown as a person from these experiences, becoming more independent and self-confident."