LESSONS at a York school have been getting a flavour of Eastern Europe, thanks to an international visit.

Sandra Laja, from Estonia, and Nita Zeqiri, from Kosovo, both 14, are guests at The Mount School for a month to gain insight of life in a British boarding school.

The pair won a scholarship through a competition organised by the British Council offices in Tallinn and Prishtina. They both wrote a letter and gave a speech explaining why they wanted to come to the UK.

Diana Gant, head teacher at The Mount School, said: "We hope that Sandra and Nita enjoy their time at The Mount School and that they will be inspired to consider further study in the UK.

"We also hope that they will be able to pass on their positive experiences to other potential international students once they return home."

Meanwhile, The Mount School pupils presented a cheque for £3,000 to Lesley Schatzberger of Jessie's Fund to help provide music therapy for children in hospices.

They raised the cash after teaming up with Bootham School and Ackworth School, Pontefract, to sing at York Minster.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, June 06, 2003