Advice from alumni: Valentina Bruno
Italy’s Valentina Bruno was the leader of the Italian Club at EF Academy Torbay and was awarded the IB Diploma upon graduation in 2015. She made a major transition from her Italian language-focused high school to EF Academy Torbay where she realized her interests also included sciences. After graduating, she began studying Biology at the University of Sannio in Benevento, Italy. She then realized her interest in the sciences and her Italian culture could be combined and will switch biology for agricultural science and development at the Catholic University in Piacenza. In addition, she’s looking forward to expanding her travels in North and South America.
How did you hear about EF Academy and why did you choose to attend?
I knew I wanted to do study abroad. The high school I went to in Italy was focused on learning new languages and I have always been fascinated by different countries and cultures. So naturally, the first thing I did was an internet search. That’s how I found EF Academy Torbay. I was immediately interested and went to Naples where I met with the EF Academy team. They were really helpful in giving me more information and guidance and answering some questions. It was a really fast decision but I am so glad I made it.
What university did you go to afterwards? What did you study and why?
At EF Academy, I realized that my interests were not as narrow as studying new languages. As I followed the IB program, I noticed that biology and chemistry were subjects that I wanted to study further. Essentially, EF Academy helped me realize that I loved sciences! This is something I would never have been able to realize in the high school I attended in Italy because the curriculum included little science. From there I realized that I wanted to study medicine, and when I didn’t get in I decided to study biology at the University of Sannio, close to home. After a year I noticed I was more interested in agriculture. I like the nature and science behind it but I also respect the work. The subject gives value to what is the basis of life: food. I think it’s one of the most notable fields that exist. Therefore, I am going to start studying agriculture at the Catholic University in Piacenza next year.
What do you want to in the future?
My dad’s job has to do with selling agricultural machinery, and I’d like to have the skills and knowledge to keep my father’s business running. It would also be great to have my own farm – a farm booming with new technology and developed systems. However, I also hope to get into the field of gastronomy, like wine production and mozzarella production. I really want to be able to give value to the products.
What tips do you have for current students who want to study what you study?
Firstly, I definitely suggest enrolling in the IB Diploma program. The program helps you develop skills that will benefit you not only at university, but also in life. I learned time management and the value of hard work; I also built up my self-esteem. The IB is hard, and at some points you’ll likely find yourself struggling or not doing well on an assignment. That’s when you want to quit and do something easier, but the IB and my tutors taught me that you need to stand up again no matter how hard the work is and just finish what you’re doing. Secondly, sometimes not knowing what you want to do is okay, don’t bring yourself down if you’re unsure. Eventually you will find it, like I did, and then you can follow your dreams.
Do you keep in touch with your EF Academy classmates?
Yes, every day. I talk to my closest friends daily and others I’m in touch with on a weekly basis. At EF Academy, you build friendships that are hard to build at university. I am actually going to visit my close friend and ex-roommate in Palma de Mallorca in July. I think the people at EF Academy become your family and friends, I loved that.
What’s your favorite memory from EF Academy?
My favorite memory has to be when I graduated. There was a huge mix of emotions. Imagine living in a country that isn’t yours for two years; it’s where you grow up, change and evolve. At graduation you remember how you changed, and what is most beautiful is that you’re surrounded by people you love. I also loved finishing the IB Diploma. In general, I’d have to say graduation and prom night and everything around those two events make up my best EF Academy Torbay memories.
What do you miss the most?
I miss my friends and living in England. I loved living in England because there was a kind of freedom since I was away from my family. Moving away meant that it was time for me to grow up, and I think I did. I loved living in both cultures, my Italian one and the British one. There was a thrill in living in England and then every three months going back to Italy for full immersion in the Italian culture. It was almost like having a double identity, and I really like that because it’s hard to get bored. I also miss the teachers though; in university the teachers are very different. At EF Academy, they kept me up to speed and were always there if I needed emotional support, they really supported me and guided me towards my goals. My host family was great, so I miss them too. Basically, I miss everything!
What is one thing that you learned at EF Academy that you found valuable for university? For work life? For your personal life?
I learnt about time management and believing in myself. When I first came to EF Academy, I wasn’t a confident person, especially when it came to scientific subjects. It was the first time I was seriously studying the sciences and I didn’t think I’d be able to do well. However, I learnt how important it is to believe in myself, and how to ask for help when I think I can’t do something.
What final tips would you give to current students?
Study hard but remember to have fun. The moment you live in now, once it’s gone it’s gone, so make sure you enjoy every moment at EF Academy or another school. Also remember to enjoy the culture of the country you’re staying in. If you live in Torbay or Oxford, travel as much as you can, go visit Bristol, Exeter, anywhere.
Who is the most successful alumni that you know of?
Probably, Stephen Anthony Wijaya and Marta Roche. Marta is a really close friend and a great student. She gives herself to everyone, she’s willing to help you no matter what. She’s studying medicine in Spain and I know she’ll make a great doctor.
Any advice to fellow alumni at universities or who are starting their careers?
Once you do the IB you won’t have any problems at university, so that’s always good to know. I think it’s because at university you have more to study, as in more content, but you have the experience of handling a tough course load and you know you have the strength to get through it.
Short questions:
Name: Valentina Bruno
Age: 19
Nationality: Italian
How many languages do you speak? Italian, English and a bit of French and Croatian
EF Academy campus: Torbay
Graduation years: 2015
Program: IB Diploma
Residence or host family: Residence and then host family, I’m actually going to visit my host family this summer
Favorite subject: Chemistry
Favorite teacher: Bob East and my biology teacher Wendy Daniels
Favorite club / society: Italian Club and Culture
Which is the next country you want to visit? South America, to visit friends in Brazil, and North America
Shouts outs to:
-
- Bob my chemistry teacher, he stopped me from dropping out of chemistry after I did badly on my first assessment. He told me there’s nothing that can stop you from improving and he was right because I ended up with a 5 in IB chemistry.
- My house parent, Dave and Clau. In the first year, they managed to take care and keep up with 40 of us in the residence.
- Last but not least, roommates Raquel and Marta, my housemate Sigrid and all the amazing people that today I have the chance to call friends (too many too list them