Advice from alumni: Ra Salah

Ra Salah from Brazil graduated from EF Academy Torbay in 2014 and is currently studying Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University in England. Find out a little bit more about our featured alum:

Why did you choose to go to EF Academy?

It was always my dream to go and study in the UK so when my parents gave me this opportunity to study with EF Academy, I went for it. Honestly, I was a bit scared at the beginning since it was my first time leaving my family and being on my own. In hindsight, this was very beneficial for me since I had to become more mature and independent.

Aside from the annoying fact that I had to buy four to five umbrellas during my time in Torbay, I have never regretted going to EF Academy. I can not say enough about how good of an experience it was. I met so many good friends and teachers that I still keep in contact with.

What university did you go to afterwards? What did you study?

I am studying Aerospace Engineering because I have always been fascinated by airplanes; everything from how they are built to how the technology has developed. I was initially studying at Kingston and was also accepted to Queen Mary but I felt like I wanted to really challenge myself. That is why I chose to go to Brunel, one of the top engineering universities in the UK, and I am really enjoying myself here.

Tips to current students that want to study what you study?

Try your best – work as hard as possible!

Don’t give up – if you want something, don’t give up!

Do you keep in touch with your EF Academy classmates?

YES! I built so many great friendships during my time at Torbay. Friends like Peyman Norouzi, Chidera Egbujor, Nima Mrz and Reham Fouad I keep in regular contact with. I also often meet up with people in London.

What’s your favorite memory from EF Academy?

I found my first relationship there! I was together with the sweetest girl for six months and we were often referred to as the cutest couple. She has moved back to Mexico but I hope we will be in the same city again some day.

Another amazing moment was when I was awarded with the ‘The Physics Student of the Year’ prize. I was not expecting it so I became completely speechless but I was so, so happy! It was truly an amazing day!

What do you miss the most?

Without a doubt, my friends. I can still remember our seating arrangement in class everyday. We would always help and support each other – like a family. Compared to university where you work and live more individually, it was a true ‘team’ feeling.

What is one thing that you learned from EF Academy that you found valuable for university? For your work life? For your personal life?

How to be responsible, organized and mature. An example of being responsible and being organized can be shown by just looking at my room – it is not clean right now because we are Skyping but it is always clean. At the beginning of my Engineering studies, I was overwhelmed by the amount of statistics involved but I learned that I have to keep going until I understand. My mom is very happy to see this development in me and I like to see my mom happy because I did well!

What tips would you give to current students?

Enjoy your experience as much as possible, make as many friends as possible, and, of course study hard. But make sure you do enjoy this unique experience. Today we have and tomorrow we have not.

Short questions:

Name: Ra Salah

Age: 20

Nationality: Brazilian

How many languages do you speak? Five: English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, and I understand Italian

EF Academy campus: Torbay

Graduation year: 2014

Program: A-level (Physics, IT and Mathematics)

Residence or host family: 1st year in great residence and then host family

Favorite subject: Physics because of Oliver Chapman – it was the way he taught the subject, always trying to go beyond the actual curriculum.

Favorite teacher: Sydney War, my tutor who always made time for me and helped me understand and get comfortable with the subject. I remember how different my first class at university was, the teacher just came in and taught the class and then left without making sure we understood.

Favorite club / society: Football club, I was co-captain.

Which is the next country you want to visit? Germany. I’ve heard a lot about Germany, including that it has the safest highway. France as well!

Who to interview next: Peyman Norouzi – one of the cleverest people in the class; he is currently studying Engineering at Penn State University in the US.

Shouts outs to:

• All my friends
• Anna Ireland and Debbie Chatterton
• Bernard Paiva – my Regional admission director and friend
• Bryan Heavens, Oliver Chapman and Adrian Harrington – my awesome teachers at EF Academy Torbay