Band 9: The younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience. Write a letter to your friend's sister. In your letter • tell her where you studied during your year abroad • describe what you learnt about the country you studied in • explain why your year abroad was helpful for your studies

Dear Sarah,

I hope you are doing well. I am pleased to hear that you are considering spending a year abroad as part of your university course, and I would like to share my experience with you.

Last year I spent a year studying in Canada at a university in Toronto. It was an exciting experience, as it was my first time living in a different country for such a long period.

During my stay, I learnt a great deal about Canadian culture and lifestyle. One thing that impressed me was how multicultural the country is. People from different backgrounds live and work together, which gave me the opportunity to learn about various traditions and perspectives. I also discovered how important punctuality and respect for rules are in everyday life.

My year abroad was extremely beneficial for my studies. Studying in a different academic environment helped me develop independent learning skills and improved my ability to conduct research. In addition, I became more confident in communicating with people and working in multicultural groups. These skills have continued to help me in my university studies even after returning home.

I would highly recommend taking part in a study-abroad programme if you have the opportunity. I am sure it will be a valuable and rewarding experience for you.

Best wishes,

Maryam