English at University: 1 - Learn phrases to say to people who are going away

Join us for this funny and exciting drama series that brings you the English words and phrases you need to help you through your first year of study abroad.

In episode 1 we meet Mary, who's got a place at a British university to study Business but this means leaving home for the first time. It's a great opportunity for her but as you'll see and hear, her mum and dad are sad to see her go.

TRANSCRIPT
Narrator
Hello and welcome to English at University - the series that brings you the English words and phrases you need to help you through your first year at university.

We're going to follow new student Mary, who's about to begin her first year of study abroad - at The University of Studies – that's the UK's thirty-second best university. She's been offered a place to study for a degree in Business. It's a great opportunity for her but her mum and dad are sad to see her go…

Mum
… and she's flying to London today… London in the UK… yes, she's done very well. I'm so proud of her but… but I'm worried she's not going to eat properly and she might get in with the wrong crowd and…

Dad
Your mother is so emotional. It's the opportunity of a lifetime for you Mary. Make the most of it – forget about us, we'll be fine.

Mary
Forget about who?!

Dad
Ha ha. Now have you packed everything? Clothes, books, toothbrush...

Mum
Sorry about that. That was your Grandma on the phone – she says good luck and send her a postcard from Paris. I think she meant London. She also said 'Don't do anything I wouldn't do!'

Mary
What?

Mum
It's a joke. She learnt it from her English friends. It means 'Have a good time and don't get into trouble'. Now have you packed everything? Passport, student visa, your acceptance letter from the university and your new laptop – you can use that to video-time us.

Dad
Good idea – very sensible. Have you got your credit card and cash?

Mary
Yes Dad!

Mum
Ah, that sounds like your taxi. Well… bye bye darling. Safe journey! Have a good trip and keep in touch.

Mary
I'll call as soon as I land in Paris… I mean London!

Narrator
It can be scary leaving home for the first time, but Mary seems quite cool and calm about it, even though her mum's getting a bit mushy – she's getting quite sad and emotional. While Mary says her final goodbyes, let's go over the words of encouragement you can give to someone who's leaving home for the first time…

I'm proud of you.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Make the most of it.
Safe journey!
Keep in touch!

To practise these phrases – and to learn some more like this, visit us at BBC Learning English dot com. Now, back to Mary, and her dad's looking a bit tearful… He's a big softy really – that means he gets emotional very easily.

Mary
Err Dad, are you ok?

Dad
Bye Mary… I love you!

Mum
Bye Mary. Bye. Oh no, look, she's left her 'good luck' teddy bear behind.

Narrator
Come on Dad, you'll be fine! So Mary is off to the UK to study. In the coming weeks you can hear how she gets on dealing with university life, studying and eventually taking her exams. And I'll be here with some English words and phrases to help her on her way. So join me again soon for English at University. Bye!

#learnenglish #bbclearningenglish #vocabulary

[nahidgolzadeh]

It is really the opportunity of a lifetime that I have ever had to study English .
I hope make the most of it for taking my exams.

[thatasfe]

What excellent channel! This can gives me more encouragement and tips about the university life! Thanks BBC!

[rachelwu]

I enjoy watching this kind of series. Thank you BBC.

[knoxofy]

Thank you BBC for the interesting channel

[poorvi.r.]

Absolutely It's An Indian Accent wow Very Glad About Our Indians 😘❤❤❤

[DictionarysShowTV]

I always recommend BBC learning English.

[itsriyadbd]

This video is very advantage for all international students. I like it.😆😆

[hieunguyenminh]

it's great, thank BBC Learning english so much...

[nuonghoang]

this is amazing episode! love i'm gonna finish all of these series: English at University
study abroad is a dream of my life, but i went to the wrong path and now i'm 21, i have 1 6-month-son
i know it will be more challenges to keep studying, but i also know that i won't give up my dream
maybe my son and i will go study abroad at the same time in the future ^-^
that's okay right!!
i love my son, i love my husband and i also love my dream

[firman]

Keep in touch always. Good luck and make us proud of you....

[Josuefabiann]

THIS IS GONNA BE A REAL ADVENTURE !!!!

[nasnas]

sounds fantastic series, I can't wait^^

[nguyenthingoctu]

Oh I love this video. and the accent makes my day.

[omarabdelslam]

Thanks, this video helped me alot to gain a little new experession but, its good

[saleembashadevarakonda]

wow..what an excellent marvelous fantastic I have to cordially appreciate and thank for this :)

[marcelopinto.]

Poor dad in the video. She will be fine.

[wt]

I love this video! Its like a chain of videos making up a complete story. I always hope that i would 1 day graduate from University but my EL has to be eloquent too. This suits me so much.

[qequitu]

Oh...it seems very interesting series...lam very excited to watch the next episode🤓🤓

[nhidinh]

great channel <3 thanks a lot <3

[manhhoangtien]

she's left her 'good luck' teddy bear behind means she for got it at home or she wore it on her back ? thank you!