“Yards!” I cried as I caught the Harrow Football for the first time. The ball came from nowhere, drifting in the ice-cold air somewhere near me. The force of it was not quite what I expected and all I hoped for as it sent me somewhat backwards was that I was doing the right thing.

It was only my first day at Harrow when we had our first house Harrow Football game. I think as soon as they heard I was South African they roped me into their side. My house’s name was The Knoll, a newish house not particularly known for its Harrow Football side. The game Harrow Football can in no way be explained and this soon became clear as soon as I saw the game for the first time. I asked a few of my teammates what the rules were and all they could say was, “the only way to learn is to play”. I believe this was probably the best technique as the rules are almost arb. The ref on the field becomes more of a coach teaching everyone the rules as we play. Everyone has trouble with the rules. Although fun, we did unfortunately lose that game. I did manage to pocket a consolation goal though. Beckham style.

When I first heard about the thing known as exchange I was a little taken back I must admit. It was probably the most outrageous thing I had ever heard of, sending a boy away from Hilton for a term to go have a term overseas somewhere. It was an opportunity I knew I would strive for. It was an opportunity that would change my life.

There are many differences between Harrow school, the school where I was fortunate enough to attend for the first term of this year, and that of Hilton. The main one being that it’s in England. And the one main thing that comes with going to England is the weather, and boy did it get cold.

On being told I was going to Harrow one of the thoughts that came into my head was that I was gonna have to live with some weird poms for a term. And when I first arrived there they seemed the sort. But that was why exchange was so good to me…it made me step out of my comfort zone and it forced me to do things that I later was very proud of doing at the time. I’ll never forget that first night. That feeling of what the term had in store for me was turned into rather am I going to survive it. But by breakfast the next day things had gotten considerably better. The guys were actually very friendly and, although they are not as welcoming as the boys are here, I was soon accepted into groups of friends who would later become some of my best friends. These guys were really keen to get to know more about me and more about Hilton. The bond between Hilton and Harrow is still very strong which made my term even more special. Hilton is also the only school Harrow does exchange with which says a lot about Hilton I think.

Things were different there to say the least. The priorities of the boys there were so different from that of ours. For instance the week after Johnny Wilkinson made his return to rugby and had a blinder there was hardly talk about the game. Instead the talk was mainly on what we were gonna get up to the following weekend or about how their work was going. I think if Butch James had done the same thing here that would be the talk of the week. Things just were looked at differently. Stuff that we take very seriously did not even affect the guys over there. The thing, which did affect the guys the most, was of course football. And boy did I watch football. I remember one day some first division game was on at the same time as the Ireland- French game and no prizes for guessing what I had to endure for 90 minutes. The football.

It was also football season the term I was there and I was privileged enough to be the keeper for my House team. I think they just saw that I was rather long and they through me straight in there. I unfortunately cannot brag about any Lehman like saves. I also represented the school 5ths and various other teams while I was there. Soccer is probably taken the most serious over there and thus the 1sts were rather skilled. I also played hockey while I was there. I played in the school 2nds which, although may seem some feat, was more social than serious. We did manage to complete a clean sweep though. Unfortunately, though, not going our way. Played 12 lost 12. I think the record speaks for itself about the skill level of our side. I did manage to tour the country though and I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed my season. I then, as mentioned above, played for my house Harrow Football side as well as playing for the school water-polo side, golf and squash side. In also played some badminton and completing a still water canoeing course.

I also became a member of the Harrow Core division. This is an army like training programme that goes on once a week. Tasks involved; a first aid task, a recon mission, weapon analysis and various other military drills. I was drafted into the marines, which really take the opposition on on the battlefield. Core, at a high level, is taking very serious for some as various awards are given nationwide concerning Core. University scholarships are also awarded.

Harrow, like here, is a full boarding school. It has about 850 boys catered in 10 houses. The first three years are allowed 2 leaves, called exeats, a term. Because I was in form 4, called lower 6^th, I was allowed another leave. The exeats last from midday Friday to late Sunday which gives boys enough time to have some time away. I was very fortunate enough to be hosted by many boys over these exeats and I must say I was surprisingly well looked after. Because there are many influential people’s sons at the school I was lucky enough to be able to go to some top class places and clubs. I also went with one mate to the Fullers main brewery, which was, some experience. There was also a ten day half term in which Villy came over and joined me for a couple of days which was really awesome apart from when mud prawn kept getting us lost.

Exchange for me was so much more than a term to experience new things. Exchange was an experience that has helped mould me as a person. It has made me look at things from a new light and has made me realise how fortunate each boy is here. I believe that exchange has truly had a huge effect on my life. It has broadened horizons and has not only created life long friendships but also had made me savour every second of this short life. I strongly urge all those who have been thinking about applying for exchange. In life you get given chances that will inevitably better your life. This is one those. I would like to thank the exchange committee for giving me this extraordinary opportunity and especially Mr Guthrie- the man who makes it all possible.