HOST is a brilliant initiative!

have a look at my photos from Xmas 2006 here

I'd like more people to know about it - both local residents, and international students. For us students it's a great chance to meet locals, get out of the university treadmill for a little trip, and find out how friendly British people are. For the hosts, we bring a change into the routine of their daily lives and maybe even manage to convince them that foreign students are nice and interesting people, too!

I greatly enjoyed my HOST visit in Cornwall last Christmas, so I thought I'd love to do something crazy for HOST. And here is the chance to do it: The Two Castle Run in June. If you know anything about me, you'll know that I've never ever run as long a distance in one go! I'd rather...uhm - walk it. Perhaps even with one or two beer-related breaks...

Why am I running then?

Because I thought that running from one castle to another for the first time is a very similar experience to that of an international student in Britain taking part in a HOST visit:
...You pack your things, make sure you look cheery, muster all your courage and leave your own fortress-home to crash in other people's fortress for a day...
...You mobilise all your skills (be they running or English-speaking ones)...
...You learn things you didn't know about British people, British countryside and...yourself...
...you have your photo taken many times...
...You try to make a big thing out of it and let everyone know, because it is a once in a lifetime experience...
...you tell your mum...
...you tell all your friends (who laugh at you  but think they could maybe do the same)
...You want to thank the organisers and, above all, your HOSTS for the lovely experience...
...You get home tired but happy...
...Whether everything goes well or something goes wrong, you are sure to remember the day...
......And you smile all the time!



Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: HOST will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor HOST (http://www.hostuk.org.uk/)  now!

Many thanks for your support.