20 EFA Academy Times ES

EF ACADEMY TIMES www.efacademy.com

2020

Students from around the world, stories from our schools

NEW YORK | PASADENA | OXFORD

The study abroad advantage Three ways studying abroad gives high school students an edge Living in another country is an eye-opening experience with infinite chances to learn – a new culture, a new language, a new way of life. Studying abroad in high school has a plethora of benefits that will help you achieve your long-term goals. Not only can this experience enrich your learning, but it can better prepare you for life at university and beyond.

Learn in a new way The consistency and predictability of studying in the same location or in the same types of schools can be comforting. You always know exactly what you are getting out of the educational system. Sometimes, however, making a change can be an extremely

beneficial move for students. Studying abroad gives students an opportunity to learn similar curriculums, but in ways that they’ve never seen before. Learning in a different environment will help you engage with different parts of your brain as you apprehend new ways of thinking and new approaches to solving tasks.

Especially in today’s world, where ideas and norms are constantly evolving, changing your education and learning new ways of problem-solving will better prepare you for the future.

cultural immersion that goes hand-in-hand with the study abroad experience is unparalleled. The novelty of living abroad will encourage students to learn the customs, traditions, and language of their new place. It also broadens their worldviews and helps them consider different approaches to life. Having the ability to look at issues from multiple perspectives is an invaluable skill for students as they enter post-secondary education.

Studying abroad and having a better understanding of different perspectives will positively impact you for life.

university, as they already know what it’s like to live in a new environment away from home. Whether it’s a new language, new friends, or a new perspective about the world, you will be grateful for the lessons you learn when moving to a new place. You will be more independent, more confident in your choices and their goals and more adaptable to what the future holds. You will graduate a global citizen – and what better thing to be in this international, interconnected world?

Open your mind to new perspectives Living and studying in a different country allows students to get to know an entirely new way of life. The

Become more independent Students who study abroad during high school are often a step ahead of their peers when they begin

Written by Madeline Ames EF Academy News Team

in other words

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

Malcolm X

Campus News

California calling EF Academy’s Pasadena campus in Southern California to open in September 2020 Pasadena will soon be home to our new international high school with a 16-acre campus and an academic program modeled in the tradition of the world’s best boarding schools. EF Academy Pasadena will eventually welcome an estimated 975 high school students hailing from 75 countries for an academically rigorous program centered on expanding students’ worldviews and building global citizens.

“Pasadena is thrilled to welcome EF Academy’s first-class institution and international young scholars to our city,” said Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, who also spoke at the official groundbreaking ceremony. “We believe the school will complement

our diverse, vibrant community and that students will benefit from the many opportunities available right at their doorstep.”

Building connections EF Academy will stand out among California’s educational institutions for its focus on preparing students for a future with no borders through a rigorous curriculum, multilingual education and experiential learning across the curriculum. Offering a full pathway to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma as well as elective credits, students not only have a challenging academic experience but also can aspire to the most selective universities.

EF Academy is currently building connections with renowned local universities like California Institute of Technology, Art Center College of Design, the University of California network and more to offer students access to practical experiences, such as lectures, programs and other experiential learning opportunities while in high school. Partnerships with established organizations such as the Norton Simon Museum and NASA Jet Propulsion Lab are also planned.

Global opportunities EF Academy students can also take advantage of unique opportunities based on the institution’s affiliation

with the broader EF Education First company, such as working side-by-side with local community members in Peru or the Dominican Republic during an immersive service learning tour or attending the EF Global Leadership Summit and hearing from some of the world’s most influential thought leaders.

“With an incredibly diverse student body hailing from around the globe, EF Academy’s curriculum is focused on building bridges between cultural groups and understanding diverse perspectives,” said George Stewart, incoming head of school. “We see education as a force to unite people, nations, and cultures in order to create a more peaceful and sustainable world.”

University preparation

University applications How to successfully navigate the process and make the best impression when applying to university

“Our approach to university advising is to really look at each student as an individual,” said Michael Muska, Associate of University Advising for EF Academy. “We know that every student is different and each bring their own dreams, goals and expectations of how they hope the college process will go. We look at what they’ve accomplished during their time here at EF Academy, we look at what their aspirations are, and we try to find the right fit for them.”

A key part of any student’s high school career is the decision to apply to university. But with so much information online about entry requirements, personal statements, admissions tests and more, it can be tough for young people to navigate the application process. This, coupled with fierce competition for university places, can transform what should be an exciting time, into an overwhelming experience.

So, how can students get good guidance through the noise? And what can schools do to give their students a fighting chance?

Look for fit Finding a selection of universities that would prove a good fit for the individual student is the first obstacle. Location, course of study, accommodation, community, facilities, and co-curriculars are just some of the aspects of university life that should be taken into consideration. With top universities located all over the world, each with their own specialties and characteristics, it’s important that students are given the right advice in school to guide them towards a decision.

Set yourself apart But with applications piling up in admissions offices at universities all around the world, making a decision on where to apply obviously isn’t enough. The next question is: How can students out-shine the competition once they’ve made this big decision about where they’d like to be? The answer is thorough preparation. The earlier a student is supported towards making a choice about higher education, the easier it becomes to equip them with the right knowledge and experiences that ultimately, will set them apart.

“At EF Academy we organize all of our efforts around what we call pathways, which is essentially a package of activities including support classes, visiting speakers, visits to universities, visits from university representatives and careers events,” said Dr. Mark Zumbuhl, UK Head of University Guidance, EF Academy Oxford, and Former Admissions Officer at the University of Oxford. “We help students find out about the opportunities that are available to them, identify what skills they need to acquire in order to get to those destinations and successfully execute whatever plan of action they need to get to where they need to be.”

It’s clear that schools play no small part in preparing students for success, and with the right guidance and the right framework of co-curricular activities, learners will be better equipped to navigate university applications.

Written by Rebekah Clayton EF Academy News Team

Academics

Alumni spotlight

Going experiential Why experiential education is future-proof Experiential education is an ideal learning model that allows for direct, hands-on engagement with academic materials and course content. This model of learning encourages students to constantly reflect on their experiences as they develop practical skills and better understand themselves in relation to its communities, both local and global. With this model, students are given the opportunity to practically apply the skills they learn in the classroom. Through engagement with the outside world, students are able to connect with their communities and realize their passions in a more tangible way than with traditional schooling. In such a rapidly changing world, hands-on experience with problem-solving, project-building, and collaborative learning are important skills students will need to succeed.

Modern age, modern approach In recent years, many academic curriculums have begun to shift away from traditional classroom teaching and embrace the collaborative, engaging style of experiential education.

Traditional schooling as we know it today was born during the industrial revolution and mimics an assembly line: students learn subjects in isolation from one another, keeping content confined to the classroom. With this traditional model, students don’t always get the chance to see the practical application of their studies. In order for students to feel that their course content is relevant to their lives, they need to see classroom theories applied in real-world situations. By giving students a well-rounded perspective on how their education is relevant to the world, we set them up for lifelong success and fruitful careers in this technological age.

Experiential learning in action at EF Academy As the average person changes career paths multiple times in their lives, what matters in addition to content acquisition are skills such as project development, direct problem solving, awareness of multiple perspectives, and collaboration – all skills that lend themselves perfectly to experiential learning. EF Academy gives high importance to the development of such educational and practical skills through both the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) for All program. These hands-on programs encourage every student to develop these skills while discovering their interests and passions outside of the classroom.

Teachers at EF Academy are experts at getting students involved with course content in a real, tangible way. The science department has taken students to coding competitions, Columbia University science labs, and Hudson River clean-ups as a practical application of skills learned in Computer Science, Biology and Chemistry. The humanities department visited the United Nations to understand international diplomacy firsthand. They also went to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s home to learn more about an important part of US history, and attended conferences to work on solutions to the problem of mass incarceration in the US. Preparing for the future EF Academy is, on the whole, an immersive atmosphere dedicated to experiential learning. By giving students the opportunity to explore the things they love, experiential education sets students up for success in college/university, their careers, and beyond.

Not only does hands-on learning promote better awareness and understanding of core educational concepts, it also encourages students to consistently reflect on themselves and their world.

Developing such well-rounded perspectives and having an acute understanding of how they fit into their communities, gives students a lifelong sense of curiosity and a commitment to ongoing self-development. By applying their learning in the real world, students can understand all the possible things they can be in their lifetime. Experiential education sets up students for futures that are truly limitless.

Written by Alexandra Levitt Director of Experiential Learning at EF Academy New York

The journey from EF Academy to Microsoft We recently caught up with Federico Angioni ‘17, EF Academy Oxford alumnus, to talk about his experience at EF Academy, life at the University of Leeds and his recent internship at Microsoft.

Why did you choose to study abroad?

Where I come from, the environment is quite conventional and I wanted to be in a place that was more open-minded and full of opportunity, especially in terms of career and university options. I had a friend studying at the New York campus who told me about EF Academy, and in the end I decided to go to the Oxford campus. It was a great decision!

What was your focus of study at EF Academy?

I chose to study the IB Diploma. I’m a business person so I decided to study higher level business, economics, and English, and at standard level I chose French, math and chemistry. Originally, I wasn’t planning to study business at university, but after I started to read books about business, how businesses operated and how to motivate employees I knew it was the right direction for me.

How did you get an internship at Microsoft?

I completed a lot of applications before landing the Microsoft internship and had quite a few setbacks during this time. I even turned a business down because I wasn’t satisfied, but I didn’t give up and kept looking for the right fit. In the end I got through to the Microsoft assessment center.

I really wanted to be at Microsoft, as I’m a bit of a tech geek. I showed a lot of passion, interest in the company, interest in the culture and essentially I got the job.

Can you talk me through your ‘Year in Industry’?

My role is a Territory Channel Manager (TCM) which is a sales role that works with small- to medium- sized businesses. My role consists of trying to help partners sell more products to customers. So for instance, we have call out days when we go to partner offices and walk them through a product through demos. They say the first three months at Microsoft are learning, learning, learning. I’ve only been here for three weeks so I’m still trying to understand my role, but so far it’s going really well.

What do you miss about EF Academy?

I would say the best thing that I took from the experience was the people.

I managed to learn about so many different cultures and that opened my mind because I can understand how other people think. If I had left Italy to go to university in England for the first time without going to EF Academy, I don’t think I would have been able to integrate as well with other people.

It was the most amazing experience.

Interview by

By Ed Davies EF Academy Alumni Coordinator

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Home country: Lebanon EF Academy campus: Oxford

Home country: Brazil and US EF Academy campus: New York

Home country: Taiwan EF Academy campus: New York

Honestly, I have learned so much from people here. Not just about cultures, but about ways of life. For instance, my African friends taught me so much about strength, independence and giving. My roommate from China and her group of friends are the absolute sweetest. I think what I’ve learned from them is to take advantage of time. Whether it’s a school day or the weekend, my roommate wakes up every morning around 7-8 a.m., gets dressed and goes into town. She tours the center of Oxford like it’s new because there’s always something different to learn.

I’ve been living in international environments for most of my life – my parents were expats and we moved around a lot. But living in this diverse environment was even more interesting, to see how different cultures interacted and mingled with each other. Living with other people taught me to be more respectful and helped me understand the intricacies of other cultures.

I’ve become more open and more engaged. Students in my country tend to be silent and shy; at EF Academy, I learned how to reach out to make friends. I’m not only focused on my academic record anymore, because I realized that life isn’t only about grades. If there are opportunities for volunteer work, then I participate. Before coming here, my parents told me that I would have more chances in the US and that I would have more opportunities to socialize and to understand how society works. I think they were right.

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