Students and teachers alike have reached midterm break, marking a month and a bit since school resumed in September.

During this time, I had the chance to meet Hannibal Ladegaard, a 16-year-old from Denmark who has joined Warwick Academy as a foreign exchange student.

Why did you decide to do the Foreign Exchange programme?

“I chose to do the exchange programme because I wanted to experience a new culture and become better at English. I also wanted to experience how it is living in another country and going to school. My sister also took a year abroad, so when she came home, and we talked about all the experiences you get, I got the idea of going myself. And that decision is probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life!”

When did you get to Bermuda?

“I got to Bermuda on the 30th of August, so I’ve been here for nearly two months now.”

What was your first impression of Bermuda, is it what you expected?

“My first impression was that it was hot! I come from a rather cold country, so I’m not used to it being 20-30 Celsius (68 to 86F) in August–September.

“Then after some days I got used to it and went around the island and saw all the amazing stuff you have here. It is truly an amazing island. It is a lot more than I expected. I knew that I would be coming to a small secluded island, but it is truly beautiful here! You have wonderful and helpful people and the nature is amazing.”

How has it been so far as an exchange student at Warwick Academy — was it scary, or were you fine?

“It has been great. It was kind of scary at first but before I left Denmark, I had gone through a lot of practice, so I came prepared. At the first day everyone was so kind and helped me out if I needed help and the first day went by so quickly. All the teachers handle me as a normal student which I really enjoy because that’s what I came here for; the experience of how it is living a normal life on Bermuda.”

What have you learnt about Bermuda, yourself and life in general since you arrived in Bermuda?

“I have learnt so much. I have learnt about Bermuda, history about the island and how it is now. I’ve also started to appreciate my life that I had back home in Denmark a lot more, because in Denmark I had my family nearby and I had friends living close to me. Now I’m thousands of kilometres away and I can’t just go to my family if I have a problem, I have to fix it myself. This island is very special, you all seem like one big family and everyone is so kind and wants to help if I need it.”

What would you say to someone if they were considering doing the exchange programme?

“Go for it! It is such an amazing experience, I have only been here for two months, but I have already met so many people and seen so much! You really get to meet a lot of great people that you will keep in contact with even after you went home.

“The exchange programme is truly an amazing way to see the world through another perspective because you get insight in how other people live their life.”