Advice from alumni: Reham Fouad
Reham Fouad, a former A-Level student from EF Academy Torbay, graduated in 2014 and took a gap year before starting the Pharmacy program at University of Durham. She says that what she took from the A-Level program is “to try out what I think might interest me and then stick to what I think is right for me, what benefits me and what reflects my passion.” Learn more about her experiences in Turkey and Korea during her gap year, and what her favorite parts of life at EF Academy were:
Full name: Reham Fouad
Age: 20
Home country: Iraq
Languages: English, Arabic and a little French
EF Academy campus: Torbay
Program: A-Level
Grad year: 2014
Favorite club: Chemistry Club
Favorite subject: Mathematics
University: Studying Pharmacy at University of Durham
Why did you decide to attend EF Academy?
It’s not really common for people from where I’m from to study abroad, but I had wanted to do it since I was 15. I started looking around and I found EF Academy and I was drawn to it because it’s so international. I also looked at the alumni community to see what schools they have attended after their graduation and that also helped me make my decision. At first, I wanted to go to the school in New York but in my case it was better to attend a school in England.
What is your favorite EF Academy memory?
My favorite memory is probably from the first time I arrived! It was my first time traveling this far alone and everyone at EF Academy Torbay was so welcoming. My roommate was from Thailand and I was fascinated with how international the school really was. It all felt like one big family.
What did you find exciting and challenging about the A-Level program?
I studied in Arabic my whole life up until I started at EF Academy, so when I started the A-Level program it was my first time studying in English. It was a big jump to study biology and chemistry in English – I spoke English but didn’t know all the scientific vocabulary. But most people were in the same boat as I was.
What advice do you have for current students?
The last two years of high school can be very overwhelming, and it feels like you’re deciding the path your life is going to follow; with that in mind, remember it is only going happen once. Grasp every opportunity you find and use your time very wisely, get as involved as you possibly can and cherish the memories you are making. EF Academy is really international – I know someone from almost every country – and I made friends for life that I still visit to this day. It’s a time in your life where you will meet a lot of people and learn so many things so take advantage of your time there and don’t miss out!
What is one thing you learned at EF Academy that prepared you for university?
University is a transitional place; every student is spoiled with the amount of options and opportunities surrounding them and it can be hard to choose at times, but what I carried with me from A-Levels is to try out what I think might interest me and then stick to what I think is right for me, what benefits me and what reflects my passion. At EF Academy Torbay I was surrounded by people from all over the world and that gave me an appreciation of different cultures and made it easier for me to make friends at university. Time management is a big one too.
Where are you studying now and why did you choose that university?
I’m studying at University of Durham, one of the top five schools in the UK. I applied here as it is one of the oldest universities and it is very traditional. I am old fashioned. It has a collegiate system that makes it easy to meet people and feel part of the community. In addition, I have big love of sports and so Durham is the place to go.
How did you choose your program?
I really like chemistry and math and I also enjoy helping people. Pharmacy combines these two things. As a pharmacist, you can be in touch with patients all the time, but you still have the scientific background at hand.
You took a gap year between EF Academy and university. Why did you take a gap year, and what do you think the benefit is?
During a gap year, you get to go out in the real world and discover something outside of the school routine. I traveled a lot, met lots of people and got real-world experiences. I learned that pharmacy was really what I wanted to do because I had the chance to take a step away and think about my decisions in a different environment and whether they were right for me.
While I took my gap year, I went to Turkey and volunteered at refugee camps, then I went to Korea and visited friends and took part in a women’s society where I heard stories and experiences from other women in the group. And then I traveled all around Europe.
What is the accomplishment you are proudest of?
I think stepping out of my comfort zone and being on my own at a young age is a big step that I’m proud of. And also getting into Durham was a very big deal to me! Also, this summer I got to do a summer session at Stanford University which was a truly incredible experience.
What is your dream for your future?
I would really love if I could do research and at least be part of discovering a new drug. I’d also like to start my own pharmaceutical business someday, and I would love it if I can do all the traveling I want at the same time.