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23 July 2024
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
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How Was Gordonstoun, Bruno?
Hello from a summery Richmond,
Our interview series with boarding school students who have attended schools in England, Scotland, and Ireland takes us to Scotland this time. Bruno talks about his stay at Gordonstoun School and how the year there shaped him. In his experience report, the former boarding school student gives us insights into his time at the internationally renowned school and talks about exciting moments, challenges, and the differences between schools in Scotland and Germany.
Bruno’s Start at Gordonstoun School
Bruno, please introduce yourself.
My name is Bruno Staats, I am 17 years old and I live in Berlin. Currently, I am a student at the Catholic Theresiengymnasium and I am in the middle of preparations for my Abitur. However, I will only take it next year because I had to repeat the grade as my school year abroad is not recognized in Berlin. I was 16 when I attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland from summer 2022 to summer 2023.How did you come up with the idea to attend a boarding school in Scotland?
I wanted to see the world and improve my English. So, I thought this would be a great idea. I chose Great Britain, specifically Scotland, because I speak English. Although I know a bit of French, my English is much better. Therefore, Great Britain or the USA were obvious choices for me.I chose Great Britain because it is simply closer. My parents and I contacted Mr. Steinbeis and told him who I am and what my wishes and ideas for a stay abroad were. He then recommended several schools that might meet my needs, including Gordonstoun, Windermere, and Stonyhurst. We looked them up on the internet and then traveled to Great Britain to visit them. I then ultimately chose Gordonstoun School.
Why did you choose Gordonstoun School?
Gordonstoun School was my first choice because I really liked the educational concept of the school. Here, learning is very hands-on. In many schools, including my current one, teachers just stand at the blackboard and write something while students just copy it – pure theory. At Gordonstoun School, there is learning by doing; for example, in geography class, you might spend classes outside and study rocks in geology.Gordonstoun House, the main house of the school
Compared to other schools like Stonyhurst, which are very strict and focus heavily on grades, I liked Gordonstoun much better. Windermere was similar to Gordonstoun, also more practically oriented, but the school was smaller and did not offer as much, which put me off a bit. The people at Windermere were nice and the school looked nice, but there wasn't much besides a lake. Gordonstoun had a lot more to offer, so my choice was easy. And Scotland with its Highlands is simply a beautiful country, much more beautiful than England.
How was your first day at Gordonstoun School?
My first day was very exciting, I didn’t quite know what to do. But the school was really well organized, so I always knew what was coming next, which made the first day relatively relaxed.Bruno's Life in a Boarding House at Gordonstoun School
What were your house and your room like?
My house was called Bruce and it was an all-boys house. There were between 60 and 70 boys, some of whom were only there for a semester. We were not very different from the other houses except that we had a covered fire pit where we could sit in the summer, which the other houses didn’t have. Our house included grades from 9 to 13, and you usually spent most of your time with people from your own grade.
Bruno's single room in Bruce House
The house was often very lively, even at night. So I was quite glad to have a single room where I could be alone. Otherwise, it was common for younger students to share a room. Overall, I found it very pleasant there.
How was the relationship with your house parents?
The relationship with my house parents wasn’t particularly close, but they were nice and gave me a very warm welcome. And we had, of course, a respectful and friendly relationship with each other, so no problems there.Was homesickness an issue for you?
At first, I was homesick, but it passed quickly because the school day was so structured and I was always busy. The school founder believed that tired teenagers get up to less mischief, whic is so true. That really helped me. I was often so busy with friends and had so much to do that I hardly had time to think about home. In the evenings, I just fell into bed exhausted. After about three or four weeks, I felt completely at home at Gordonstoun!When did you first make friends?
I met someone at lunch on the first day, and we spent the whole day together, learning how to get around the school. Many people made friends in their own house first. That wasn’t the case for me, as the person I met on the first day came from a different house. Luckily, my circle of friends included students from many different houses. There were cliques, but no one was excluded, which I found incredible! Everyone quickly found their place.In the courtyard of his boarding house, Bruno spent many evenings with friends from other houses
I don’t keep in touch with everyone today, especially because I was in a group of about 30 people, but some friendships have lasted. A friend has visited me in Berlin twice, for example. I occasionally write or call the others.
Were there any arguments?
There were minor disputes, but nothing really dramatic. Everyone was very nice to each other. I personally never had any major arguments. If there was a disagreement, you just didn’t talk to each other for two days, and then it was fine. If you really didn’t like someone, you just ignored them and didn’t sit next to them, for example.What were your weekends like?
I only had Sundays off. On Saturdays, I also had to go to school, but I didn’t have many lessons, only until about 11am. On Sundays, like every morning, we first went to the cafeteria for breakfast and then to the chapel for a service. There, we sang and discussed important things for the coming days. After that, there was a house meeting in each house to discuss or resolve any issues.At house meetings, the school provided pizza and snacks
After cleaning up, we had free time until about 5 pm. During that time, I usually went to the gym or the nearest town. Then there was another house meeting at 5 pm and after dinner at 6 pm, we had some time for ourselves.
How was the relationship between the boarding students and the locals in the surrounding community?
The school is located in the countryside, and the nearest town has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. We had little contact with the locals, except for occasional trips to buy snacks, and with those who worked at the school, like some teachers and the kitchen and cleaning staff. Nevertheless, the relationship was good.How was the food at Gordonstoun School?
Breakfast was really a typical English breakfast. It was unfamiliar to me, but I usually ate toast and cereal. For lunch and dinner, there was always something hot, and everything was very tasty. We had a wide selection of dishes with meat, fish, and vegetarian options. Eating vegan was very difficult, though, as there was almost none. That wasn’t a problem for me since I eat meat.Breakfast, lunch, dinner: there was something for everyone!
On holidays, there was also haggis, the spicy, offal-filled sheep’s stomach. I really liked it personally and even miss it a bit.
Were there any special school traditions or events at the boarding school that you particularly liked?
I remember a summer festival where a student band performed. Otherwise, there were occasional disco nights, concerts, and so on.A Gordonstoun student band performing
How was the community between the houses? Were there competitions?
There were often sports activities, such as competitions between the houses that lasted for half a day. The various houses competed in soccer, rugby, or shooting, and everyone tried to win, of course. The nice thing about it was that the whole house came together for it, creating a closer community.Scotland vs. Germany – Bruno Compares
Was there anything about boarding school life that surprised you?
Yes, the rigid daily structure really surprised me. I knew it would be structured, but such precise planning was new to me. You wake up and immediately go from one engagement to the next on the schedule. Having free time in the evening was really a relief!The covered fire pit in front of Bruno's boarding house is a popular gathering place for students
What differences did you notice between the teachers in Germany and those in Scotland?
The relationship was very, very good – much better than in Germany. In Gordonstoun, the classes are smaller, with about ten students, and the interaction is friendlier. If you had problems in a subject or needed help before exams, you could use the time after classes and before afternoon activities to meet with the teachers. They really took the time to address individual difficulties and find solutions.What were the biggest differences between Germany and Scotland for you in terms of school?
We had to wear school uniform. We had a regular one and a finer one for Sundays. At first, it was a bit strange because I wasn’t used to it. The uniforms were also not always comfortable, but I got used to them quickly and found it good because I didn’t have to think about what to wear every morning. I just put on my uniform and was ready.At the inter-house rugby competition, all houses waved their flags and competed against each other
Were there significant differences in your daily life between Germany and Scotland?
I didn’t have much free time in Gordonstoun. Usually, I finished school at 2 or 3 pm and then had sports or other activities right away. That usually lasted until 4 or 4:30 pm. After that, we had to do homework and prepare for the next school day at prep time. I never really had any free time in between, maybe half an hour to an hour, which was difficult for me as I was used to having free afternoons. I only had real free time from about 9 pm, but by then, I usually went to bed.Academics: Learning at Gordonstoun School
How did you cope with lessons in English?
I didn’t have any language barriers and I was definitely able to improve my English. If I didn’t understand something, others explained it to me. The only difficulty I had was with my music teacher, who was a real Scot and had a very pronounced accent. At first, I could hardly understand him at all, and I had to get used to it.What was a typical day like for you at Gordonstoun School?
After getting up, we had breakfast and then went to the chapel. After that, we had our first lesson. All lessons lasted at least 60 minutes, sometimes longer, so I had three to four hours of class a day. In between, I sometimes had one or two free periods. After lunch, we usually had one more lesson.Studying rock layers on the Scottish coast: geography class can be exciting!
I completed the A-Levels, and my main subjects were English, geography, history, and psychology. I had English more frequently as a non-native speaker and had to take an IELTS test – a test for universities to assess your English proficiency. I scored 7.5, meeting the requirement to attend an English university.
At Gordonstoun, I didn’t have math or physics, which makes it difficult to return to Berlin and do the Abitur. I could have chosen math and physics for the A-Levels like many of my classmates, but I’m not good at math, so I didn’t choose those subjects.
Did you have a favorite subject?
I liked all the subjects I chose, but I would say psychology was my favorite. It interested me a lot, and I hadn’t studied it before. Also, the teacher was very good.Was there a subject you had trouble with?
I had some trouble with history because I couldn’t remember all the dates as well as others in my class. The French Revolution and the British Empire were particularly challenging for me. My history teacher was sometimes a bit stricter, which, compared to German teachers, was still very relaxed, but sometimes it did take away some of the enjoyment and caused problems.Studying in a beautiful setting in the library of the main house
In other subjects, I kept up well, although I wasn’t an overachiever. There was also a tutoring system in the boarding school, organized by students. I signed up to help others with geography problems, but it was never really needed.
Did you have a favorite teacher?
I had a very good relationship with my psychology teacher. She gave me the opportunity to write a thesis in psychology and helped me with it. As a result, we talked a lot and developed a closer bond.Sports and Extracurricular Activities at Gordonstoun School
What sports did you participate in?
Every semester, I could choose from different activities, such as fitness, shooting, fishing, or swimming. Swimming was particularly great because I had wanted to do it for a long time. In Berlin, it’s difficult to get a spot in a swimming course; you often have to wait one or two years. But at Gordonstoun, I could swim three to four times a week.The school's modern gym
There were always 20 to 30 activities to choose from. Every day after school, I could do something different, except on Sundays. After dinner, I sometimes went to the gym until 10 pm. There were plenty of opportunities to exercise.
Did you participate in other extracurricular activities?
I started playing the bagpipes and the drums – I still play the bagpipes! Once a week during school time, I had lessons where all who played the instrument met, and I was in a pipe band.I was involved in coastal and nature conservation, which was part of the service volunteering projects. We would go to the sea, about ten minutes away, and cut back bushes that threatened the coast. Sometimes I also took care of visiting elementary school students from the surrounding area, guiding them through obstacle courses or taking them to the boats by the sea to clean them. I also continued my existing passion for shooting. My grandparents have an air rifle, so I chose that as an activity and was able to practice it there.
Through the school, I could also organize my own trips. During the Easter holidays, I went to the Isle of Skye with friends, for example. Sometimes the school organized trips to Inverness, where we went bowling, to the cinema, or attended a concert by a Scottish folk band.
Bruno's Highs and Lows at Gordonstoun School
What did you like best about Gordonstoun School?
What I liked best was the freedom from my parents. That may sound harsh, but despite the structured day, I always had time for myself. Especially in the evenings, I could just sit in my room, watch a movie, or sleep without having to sit at the table and talk to everyone. I could do what I wanted in my free time.What were your best experiences?
Some of my best experiences included the expeditions and sailing trips, which were also my biggest challenges. During our expeditions, we were out in the Highlands with a few friends and a supposedly “absent” teacher for a weekend. We had to cover up to 16 kilometers a day with our gear and provisions.Expeditions in the Highlands
The expedition was often very exhausting – constantly going up and down in the terrain and with sore feet. Despite the hardships, it was a great experience. It may sound like a cliché, but looking back, I am very proud of the challenge I overcame. The special thing about these expeditions was the time spent with good friends. In the evenings, we sat together, talked, and got to know each other better. The sailing trip was different because we were on the water all the time with no shore leave, but the sense of community was similar.
What did you like least about Gordonstoun School?
What I didn’t like as much was the very structured system, although I generally found it great. It was an adjustment that could be tiring. For example, a good friend of mine wanted to go to sleep during prep time from 7 to 9 pm because he had no homework, no exams coming up, and nothing to do. He thought he could just get some extra sleep. But he was woken up and had to at least read a book. This prep time was taken very seriously, and you always had to do something. I found that a bit tiring sometimes.Bruno's Reflections and Advice for New Students
Would you do it all over again, or would you change something?
Theoretically, I would do more, even though I already did a lot. On Sundays, for example, I usually just got snacks and lay down because I was often too exhausted for other activities. Others went to the beach during the week or met for half an hour or an hour in the evening. I did that occasionally, but in hindsight, I think I should have done it more often.At a live music festival on the South Lawn of the school, there were lessons in traditional Scottish dances
Did your time at the boarding school in Scotland influence your life and career goals?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do professionally before, and I’m still not sure. But I discovered psychology for myself and now see it more as a hobby. It’s not a direct career option, but through the subject, I now have a qualification in psychology. I don’t know yet if that will help me in Germany, but I feel better prepared for my future after my time at Gordonstoun.Did the school influence your values and personal development?
The boarding school definitely influenced me in terms of my values and personal development, especially through the many people and cultures I got to know. The school had about 40 to 50 percent Scots or English, and the rest of the students came from all over the world – many from Germany, China, and other countries.Every year, Gordonstoun House is decorated for Christmas, for the Chinese New Year and holidays of other cultures
As a result, I got to know many different cultures, which definitely changed my view of the world a bit. Overall, I would say that I gained a bit more self-confidence and trust myself more, although that still needs some improvement.
What was the biggest advantage you gained from attending boarding school?
I learned to live alone and make my own decisions. At home, my parents mostly did everything for me. At the boarding school, I had to take care of everything myself. For example, if I wanted to go to an event, I had to register and organize everything myself. I also had to keep my room in order completely by myself, and it was much more strictly controlled. The regular selection and trying out of new hobbies also helped me become more independent. Overall, I became much more self-reliant.I also took some things from my time at boarding school, such as prep time. Although I hated it back then, I realized it was effective. In the evenings, I could sit down and concentrate on homework or studying for two hours. That helped me a lot personally.
What do you recommend to students considering attending a British boarding school?
Be open to everything that happens at the school, even if it sounds strange. For example, there was an evening when a Scottish folk band played. That might sound boring, but it was three musicians who created a really good atmosphere, and in the end, everyone danced together. You should go along with it.Do you have any final words about Gordonstoun School, Bruno?
The boarding school experience definitely gave me what I had hoped for. I experienced so much, attended many school-organized events, and made far more friendships than I had hoped for. I can only recommend Gordonstoun School and generally the step of going abroad to learn something new. It is truly a valuable experience.Thank you for the interview, Bruno!
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von Bülow Education
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com