Re: Thinking of going home
 

Thanks for answering! What exactly is boring about it? The people - the location itself, like the suburbs vs. the city??

I hate to open a can of worms, but thanks for answering.


To the person who asked why not move upstate - actually, I love Upstate, it's very nice and my family has a lot of property and land there, however, I am looking for international experience. It's just something I'd like to do.

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Thanks Elvira - I did a bit of research and it seems to indicate that VCE is equivalent to O'Levels, but you're right I should chat to the Uni's. Unfortunately my OH thinks that it's way too soon to be investigating all the ins & outs as protocol can change so quickly with education, government rulings, etc. that what we learn now could be different in 2 or 3 years time.

I think we have talked before Elvira (during my last real down spell, which I think was about 3 years ago). You used to have the avator of the very theatrical looking lady...is that right?

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Yep, that was probably me :o

By the way - it's GCSEs now............ I think O Levels went out under Thatcher! And it's never too soon to start your research - recognition of qualifications is unlikely to change drastically any time soon. In any event, discussing your son's case with an Admissions Officer is likely to clarify a lot of things for you.

And don't give up if the first person turns out to be not totally helpful. I can tell you from personal experience that most AOs are happy to talk to parents and potential students. (But do a bit of research first, i.e. look into subjects your son might like to study. Ideally have him standing by during the call so the AO can perhaps talk to him as well.)

If your son does end up having to do A Levels, I would send him to a Sixth Form College rather than a Secondary School with a Sixth Form (college is more 'grown up' ;))

Re: Thinking of going home
 

That's right - I should know as I sat GCSE's myself - my year was the guinea pig year back in 1988, the first year that UK students stopped taking O-levels and started with GCSE. I think I say O-level out of habit to be honest :)

Well I know roughly which area we want to re-locate to, which is somewhere around York, so I expect Leeds or York Uni's would be a good start. My son isn't sure what he wants to do right now...he has touched on the idea of architecture, but this could certainly change over the next few years. Still I will definitely do some investigation sooner rather than later. Don't know of any sixth form colleges in that area, but I'm sure the AO can help with that.

Where are you Elvira - UK or abroad?

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Sunny California - land of nuts and flakes........... going bankrupt and running out of water :eek:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...ing-state-debt

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Wow...what an interesting, but somewhat alarming article. Have you been majorly affected by the housing/employment issues? Are you looking at returning to the UK at all Elvira?

Re: Thinking of going home
 

No, we are amongst the lucky ones - no risk of losing job and/or house. But definitely planning to return home in a few years! :)

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Are you waiting for a good time to move back - such as kids leaving school or the economy to pick up? Where are you from originally & do you plan on returning back to your home-town? We are from Lancashire and could not return there as it has deteriorated beyond belief...lots of poverty, which tends to breed crime & drug issues unfortunately. We have decided to move back to Yorkshire which is still a beautiful shire with lots going on and within an hours drive to our original home-town. I'm hoping to bump into Bill Bryson (the american author of some comedic travel books) when I'm back - he's hilarious & has also chosen to settle in Yorkshire too.

Re: Thinking of going home
 

No No no, land of fruits and Nuts, come on get it right :rofl:
Did you read that article in the Guardian :eek:

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Aint that the truth!

Very very sorry just about describes it today! A 4 hour drive - one of which was on dirt - and the entire time the scenery barely changes except there were bits with more trees and bits with fewer trees. FFS the highlight was a stop at the Nimmitabel Bakery (nothing disparaging about the bakery per se but you know it was as boring as b*tsh*t when that was the highlight!). No mobile phone coverage for 90% of the trip - not that that mattered really, got no one except the DH to talk to and he was sitting beside me anyway. This followed 3 nights in the bush about 20km from McKillops Bridge (yeah, see if you can find that one on a map!) where there was not much except flies, birds and a nice selection of mosquitos. The power went out one night which was fun (yeah right) but no radio, no tv, no broadband - at least it had a flush loo and a shower. The highlight was spending it with my 2 year old granddaughter who very generously shared her headcold with me so now I feel like cr*p as well! Rant over - wine calls!

Re: Thinking of going home
 

I know.....sat through pics of our friends' trip to the Red Centre and all I could think about was 'why would you bother'! I really wish I could see the beauty in it...I'd be far happier here then.

Re: Thinking of going home
 

I went to Underhill Primary School in Fortuneswell!!

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Have lived abroad for 10 years and have always embrace change and tried to adopt to the new place and stopped comparing previous countries. Just enjoy wherever you are in the world! Life's too short, forget the past, live for today and plan and hope for tomorrow...

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Yes,yes and yes to all three points made above.

Re: Thinking of going home
 

Always thought so. Keep it plain and simple. The nomadic lifestyle has gone out of vogue for this generation and Australians have lost a lot of dare devil get up and go attitude for a large part. Security or perceptions of, feature very large out here..Far more different life styles can be found in Britain.
Also the return to wanting more traditional life style kids and house in burbs suffocates any alternatives to a large degree.