“At Roeland camps I learned how to make my voice heard”
Did you know that Laura, during covid, learned morse code and a couple of phrases in Portuguese out of sheer curiosity? She is obviously not afraid to try something new, and that goes for language camps as well. “I always thought I was a rather shy person”, she says, “but I noticed that it is easy to loosen up and be your enthusiastic self, given the right circumstances.”
Laura (age 20) is a former language camp participant, and now she is also a teacher. She combines her law studies at Ghent University with a classical guitar training at Ghent Conservatory. “I like to keep myself occupied doing different things”, she smiles.
How was your very first camp experience?
“My very first camp was in Bure during Easter holiday, I was 14 at the time. A friend asked me to join, but we barely dared to speak French. I remember we left for camp with a minor case of the jitters. Not the best way to kick off, but luckily it did not stop me going back for more!”
“So, a year later I returned, this time to Virton, with my younger sister. And this time it was an instant hit: super fun memories! During covid I skipped a year, but after that I went to the ‘intercultural fun’ camp at Sutton Valence, for 2 consecutive years. The first time there I had so much fun that I simply had to go back a year later. And I also promised some newly made friends that I would come back.”
What did you learn at camp?
“First and foremost: to step up! Dare to speak and show what you’ve got. It is a bit daunting at first, but the people you’re addressing are often incredibly grateful if you take that first step towards a conversation.”
‘I have also learned to go easy on myself now and then. Not a single person speaks prefect French or English, and that is perfectly acceptable. You are here to learn. Making mistakes is a part of that process.”
What are your best memories?
“Oh, that is a tricky question. But I can pick some: the casino game, the group singalong moments, and obviously the closing party we organized the last evening. I always felt like a rather shy person, but at camp I learned that I could step up and be just me, if I am in the right place with the right people.”
“Oh, and in Sutton Valence, one of the teachers brought a telescope. We went stargazing that very night. Magical moment!”
In your opinion, what is Roeland’s strong point?
“The personal approach, no doubt about it. The teachers and activity leaders are truly invested. They understand better than anyone that learning a foreign language can be daunting, and they help you to lower the threshold. They create a great vibe, they organise fun workshops and they guide you gently into the camp atmosphere. So, you get to meet a lot of people quickly, and that fear of speaking up in a new language has disappeared before you realize it.”