Advice from alumni: Ana Maria Santiago
Ana Maria Santiago from Spain graduated from EF Academy Oxford in 2015 and in February she will be heading Down Under to Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. Find out a little bit more about our featured alum:
Name: Ana Maria Santiago
Age: 18
Nationality: Spanish
EF Academy campus: Oxford
Program: IB Diploma
Residence or host family: Residence, which was great because I never felt lonely
Favorite subject: Biology and Math Internal Assessment – it is really fascinating to see how mathematics are everywhere in the world, e.g. shapes of the lips. For my Math IA, I created a mathematical formula to try to explain why the tiger population in India has decreased.
Favorite teachers:
> Joan Wilisoni, Biology, for always going beyond the immediate topic of study
> Robert Murphy, Philosophy, for his ability to make me see things from different perspectives and because he listened to our ideas and discussed why we thought like we did. He taught me to understand the driver of a person’s opinions rather than judge the opinion itself.
– Favorite club/society: Photography Club
– Fun fact about yourself: You know those movies when you see a veterinarian put their body into an elephant – that is my dream. Exotic animals fascinate me!
Why did you choose to go to EF Academy?
Before EF Academy, I was studying at an international school in Spain. Through that school I had the opportunity to study in Ireland and I really liked the international experience. I also knew I wanted to study IB but I was not satisfied with the IB programs in Spain. That’s why I thought that EF Academy Oxford was a perfect fit for me when I looked at the school and IB page online. Firstly, the university placements and grades of previous students showed that the school offered the academic level that I was looking for. Secondly, the school seemed to provide the freedom that I was looking for. There were, of course, rules and people watching over you, but the school seemed to allow students the freedom to try new things outside the school itself.
What university will you attend? What will you study?
I will study Veterinarian Medicine at the Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, and I look forward to specializing in wildlife and conservation in the future. Did you know that animals that live too long in seclusion develop mental disorders? For example, lions that live in seclusion sometimes develop a tick: they lick themselves until they reach their bones because the endorphin that is produced makes it so they do not feel the pain. I am very excited to have the opportunity learn more about these kinds of things.
What tips do you have for current students who want to study what you study?
1. Find your passion in the passion.
For me, it was finding out that I was passionate about exotic animals within the field of veterinary medicine. The more passionate you are about something, the more motivated you will be to pursue it. It is challenging studying for the IB and living abroad, but it is important to set goals that keep you happy and motivated.
2. Gain as much experience as possible.
I used contacts to get two internships during my studies – one at a zoo and one with a team of equestrian vets. I also contacted a company that arranged courses in elephant conservation – I spent 10 whole days with elephants. It was through this experience that I realized that I wanted to work with exotic animals.
3. Believe that things always work out, but maybe not the way that you thought.
Of course, not everything will turn out exactly as you want it to. For example, I applied to study veterinary medicine in the UK but I did not get accepted because they did not want to focus on wildlife veterinary medicine. This was very tough for me but I needed to move on. That is when I learned that just because Plan A does not work out, it does not mean that Plan B and Plan C do not exist, you just need to find them.
What tips would you give to current students?
Stop for a moment and actually experience the present moment. On one hand, one needs to be determined and focused. On the other hand, one needs to get as much from the high school experience as possible, so do make sure to relax a bit. So much has already happened in my life thanks to EF Academy, so I can only imagine how much will happen in the rest of my life. But there is no rush!
Do you keep in touch with your EF Academy classmates? If so, how and have you met them recently?
YES! There are issues with time zones but I Skype or message with someone every day. Some have even come to Spain to visit. Even though everybody is busy, I believe we will keep in contact for a long time.
What’s your favorite memory from EF Academy and what do you miss the most?
There are so many things but the main thing is the student and friend environment. I love the fact that I could always start talking to people when I overheard something interesting, no matter if it was going back from class or in the canteen. Everybody was welcomed and no one would think that it was weird, thanks to the sense of instant friendship and belonging.
What is one thing that you learned from EF Academy that you found valuable for university? For the work life? For your personal life?
Limits are in your own mind. Before I went to EF Academy, most people around me mainly considered going to university in Spain because they were more nearby. Only some would think or talk about going to the UK or to the U.S. for university. When I came to EF Academy, I was struck by the number of options that were out there and every option was accepted. It could be a Korean student wanting to study in The Netherlands, or a Mexican student wanting to study in France. That was when I realized that the limits you set are in your own mind, not because of close-mindedness but simply because it’s not the norm. I just started thinking about the things no one else thought about.
Why do you think it is important with the EF Academy alumni network?
Honestly, I have not had that much contact with alumni so far. However, I do remember some alumni coming back to school to tell us about their experiences. I found this very helpful since it made me realize what is possible. It served as a reminder that there are people who have gone through the same thing that I am going through; it’s simply not the same hearing this from the teachers. It is like looking at your future self!