Maria Szafarz

Student of History and Politics at the University of Cambridge

What have you been up to since you left Akademeia?

Since I left Akademeia I have been studying History and Politics at the University of Cambridge. I am in the Blues squad for Boxing, I do Latin dancing and I volunteer for Amnesty International. I have not been up to much sleep, but I am trying to wing it.

How studying at Akademeia helped you prepare for university?

It taught me writing skills that are easily adaptable to the requirements of the university; it prepared me to manage timed conditions during exams and the ability to become interested in almost everything that I am currently studying.

What are your three favourite things about Akademeia?

My three favourite things about Akademeia are my teachers, my friends and the fact that it is not academics that end up mattering most when it comes to reflecting back on my experience there. Indeed, in comparison to all the other things that I have gained and lost during my time in Akademeia (all those you will have to experience yourselves), the 'study’ element of the whole picture plays an inferior role (but it will take up a significant amount of your time, especially if you have any academic achievements in mind).

Looking back at your own school time, what advice do you have for current Akademeia students?

Enjoy your time in Akademeia. I know it lasts forever, it’s often a struggle, most of the time it is really difficult to understand what is going on, and it takes a lot of effort to complete it. However, once you finish it, you realize that it might be one of the best and most invaluable experiences, as well as a starting point of a completely new chapter in your life (far less forgiving and comfortable than Akademeia, although I dare say more exciting and worth the work).

P.S. Read books! You will have less time to do that at university. Equally, make sure to catch some nice plays in Warsaw. Theatres in England are definitely not as good as the ones in Poland.

What are your projects for the future?

After my undergraduate studies, I would like to complete a Master’s degree in Economics as well as a law conversion course. Then, I would like to become the Polish Ambassador to Jamaica.