Clara swaps Cantabria for Coleraine College

Clara Llera Puertas enjoyed life in the area and her studies at Coleraine College so much she decided to stay for the whole academic year - despite the pandemic!

15-year old- Clara, from the Cantabria region in northern Spain, came to Coleraine as part of a cultural exchange programme as she wanted to experience life abroad and develop her English.

Coleraine College was a natural choice as the school has been hosting Spanish students for the last four years as part of the same programme.

Principal Richard Marsh, said: “We welcome students from any background and fully appreciate the diversity it brings. Clara is a great addition to our school community and has already done a presentation to her Form Group about what life is like for teenagers in Spain which was both informative and interesting.”

Clara said: “Northern Ireland is famous for its warm welcome and that was certainly the case for me with my host family and everyone at Coleraine College. As a result, I found it very easy to settle in. I also really love the scenery.

“There are so many cultural differences but I find them interesting rather than a challenge. The houses here are very different to the ones at home and the food as well as when you eat. At home, we do not have dinner until 9pm or 10pm but here it is much earlier. That took a little getting used. And of course, the accent and the slang!“

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