Advice from alumni: Stephany Aymerich

Stephany Aymerich, an alumna from Venezuela, was invited to the EF Academy Torbay graduation ceremony as the commencement speaker. During the speech, she shared some of the things that she wished she knew during her time as a student at EF Academy.

You studied at EF Academy Torbay between 2011 and 2014. How would you describe your overall experience when looking back?

I would describe it as something unique. It gave me the opportunity to learn and to grow as an individual; my experience is filled with fantastic memories and not so good ones that helped shape me into the person that I am today.

What did you do afterwards?

 After obtaining my IB Diploma, I went to university. I am currently studying Ancient History and Anthropology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. My degree is something that I am truly passionate about, although it was not the most evident, or ‘logical’ choice for lack of a better word, it is one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

How did you feel being invited back as the commencement speaker at this year’s EF Academy Torbay graduation?

I felt a bit surprised when I got the call. I was excited about the prospect of going back to my old school, but at the same time a bit nervous about having to deliver a speech.

What inspired the speech you gave at the graduation ceremony?

One of the first questions that I asked myself was, “What did I want to hear when I graduated?” Instead of focusing on student life, or what to expect at university, I decided to focus on the journey. I decided to address the transition that one must go through, from our childhood up to where we are now, and the best way for me to do that was comparing the journey to the one of a rocket.

What advice do you have for the students who are graduating?

• See as many places as you can and meet as many people as you can. Make sure to be part of everything that you are able to be a part of because you will not have that much time later.
• Take risks and do what you really want to do, don’t be afraid of making a fool of yourself and trying new things.
• Make sure to enjoy yourself and create as many memories as possible because that is the only thing that remains with you at the end of your experience.

What do you remember about your own graduation?

I remember the sense of happiness in the room. My IB group was a small one and not many parents were able to attend the ceremony which meant that we had each other as family and in a way it was a reflection of how close of a group we had become. I remember that it was a happy occasion yet it made us realize that soon we would have to say goodbye to not only our teachers and friends, but also to being able to see each other every day and that made it slightly bittersweet.

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

At EF Academy, I got to meet people from all over the world and to build my social network. I had the opportunity of opening my mind to different cultures and point of views, I found this to be a priceless experience since it not only helped me to become more confident but to be able to work with people that might think or view things from a completely different perspective.

Short questions:

• Name: Stephany Aymerich
• Age: 20
• Nationality: Venezuelan / Spanish
• EF Academy campus: Torbay
• Graduation years: 2014
• Program: IGSCE, IB
• Residence or host family:  Host family
• Favorite subject: English and Theory of Knowledge
• Favorite teacher: Wynn Morgan
• Favorite club / society: Duke of Edinburgh (won Silver Medal)