Case Studies

R. Cheung - U6, Caterham School
During the past three years studying in the UK, as I am away from my parents, a guardian plays an important role in my school life. My guardian arranges where I am going to stay during holidays. Other than staying in school, most of the rest of my time is spent staying with different host families and guardians. Also my guardian will help me when I have problems in school. I have had a bad experience with some host families and guardians before. But luckily I have a very good guardian now. There are several reasons why I think my current guardian is good.

Firstly, my guardian is very caring towards me. When the school has a Parents' Evening my guardian is very willing to come to the school and represent my parents and to speak to my teachers without even asking her. When I was considering my choice of subjects for 6th form last year she also discussed this with me and gave me lots of advice. Also, she will contact me quite often and care about my school life and work. In addition, she has also helped me to look for work experience around her area.

Secondly, I feel my guardian has considered me as part of her family. When I am staying in her house, she often asks me what I want for my meals. Every night, I have dinner with my guardian's family and we chat together. They have also shown lots of interest in me and ask different questions about my culture. Every weekend my guardian will also take me out to have a meal. She also knows that I like to play basketball so she has bought a basketball and has driven me to the basketball court whenever I want to play. This makes me feel that I am part of her family, rather than just a random person staying in her house.

Thirdly, she has a very close connection with my parents. She sends e-mails to my parents every time before I stay in her house and after I go back to school. Also, when she has received a school letter, she will make a copy and send it to my parents in case they haven't received it from the school. Every Easter holidays and Christmas holidays, she will also send presents or cards to my parents. So my guardian is very close with my parents.

Because of these reasons I think she is a very good guardian. My parents also agree and they feel confident in her looking after me.

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