The exchange program that is in place here at Hilton College, is not only an extremely smooth running and efficient system, or one that links our boys and the school itself to the ever changing and all important world out there, but additionally; it is a program that offers the boys the opportunity to make friends with total strangers, to enrol in different cultures, adapt to unique situations and learn what it takes to enjoy life in new circumstances.

I had been granted the chance to attend Gordonstoun School in Scotland for the first term of the 2007 year and one thing was certain, I was going to take this opportunity with both hands, go about it smiling and relish every second of this chapter in my book.

Gordonstoun School is a co-educational institution in the Northern parts of Scotland and it goes without saying that the temperature levels were not of South African standards - it was 'refreshingly' cold. The school itself ran on many of the same principles as Hilton and the similar ethos of the school was welcomed. My first impressions of the school as well as the biggest difference between Hilton and Gordonstoun, was the unmatched internationalism of the school. It was absolutely incredible to learn of how many different countries my new friends came from, what cultures they brought with them and the enormous value they would add to my 2 months there. There were 9 houses, 8 of which were individual sex houses and only 1 that was mixed. I was lucky enough to be allocated into the mixed house. I had never been with girls in a school environment and now, not only were half my classes occupied with them, a reasonable portion of my house was female too! It truly was a new situation that I wasted no effort in adapting to!

Gordonstoun is well respected around Scotland for the level of sport they play. It was the hockey season while I was there and I thoroughly enjoyed playing for the unbeaten 2nd XI. Despite the fact that hockey was the main sport, the rugby definitely took centrefold for me. Only the 1st XV had practices and matches for the second part of their season, as they were in the Scottish Schools Cup that saw us in a knockout fixture every weekend. The rugby had a far greater influence on me than just being able to play the game I love, but it introduced me to many of the friends I was to make. It created common ground between us and helped with settling in. On the academic side of things, I enjoyed the wide range of subjects available and valued being able to study something I would not normally have had the chance to.

The friendships I formed at Gordonstoun are ones that will last for ever. I will never forget the good times my mates and I shared together, the laughs and jokes we were all a part of. Their ever-present zest for life was inspiring and I benefited so much from their spontaneous enthusiasm. Good friends of mine came from places ranging from The Canary Islands to Germany, from Dubai to Ireland, my 2 closest friends actually lived within 2hours from Gordonstoun, in the Scottish highlands. I was treated to a full spectrum of unique colours as such, and just the combined atmosphere of it all was one of my highlights of the trip!

At the top of my list of highlights, was the weekend I spent at one of my friends’ houses in Glasgow. A group of 6 of us were flown off to his parents’ 100 acre estate in their private Lear jet, and treated to many fantastic luxuries. It was a weekend of amazing proportions and goes down in the books as one of the best! With the fondest of memories, I look back on learning how to cross-country ski and being under falling snow for the first time! Some of us were taught how to sail a small boat and we realised just how cold the waters of the North Sea were.

Playing rugby in the wet and muddy conditions was a huge bonus as I had long since wanted to play in such circumstances. I spent one weekend pheasant shooting with a friend who lived close by and being at a co-educational school, Valentines Day was very ‘interesting’ to say the least! Learning how to dance the ‘cha-cha’ and the ‘jive’ and trying to master Scottish Reels was great fun! As there were over a dozen exchange students there whilst I was there, the school treated us to many day trips, in which we were able to view and appreciate the magnificent country side, visit many famous heritage sites and gather a good feeling of what life in Scotland would be like. Being lucky enough to fit in after just 2 days and making better mates than I could ever have wished for, was a huge highlight of my exchange and with that social grounding, everything was possible!

Gordonstoun School places the importance of social confidence within students very highly. The school made a huge effort to develop social skills in every student, and gave all of us ample opportunity to interact with people we did not yet know and people very different to ourselves. They felt that it was vital that we as young adults could cope socially in the world by the time we left school and that we had the ability, as well as the confidence, to adapt to new situations! I strongly agree with their feelings and benefited so much from being part of what they were doing in terms of social development.

In conclusion, I look back on my entire exchange period and hope that I have portrayed how brilliant, life changing and undeniably valuable my time spent at Gordonstoun was. I hope I can share all that I have learnt with the wider Hilton Community and give back to Hilton what it has given me.

Thank you to all those involved in making my exchange possible.