“Avenor offered me the proper environment to develop as a person. Unlike normal schools, I met some amazing professors who made me enjoy studying their disciplines, I had the opportunity to become fluent in English, so much so that people ask me if I am actually Romanian, I was able to take globally recognized exams that opened many doors for me, and I had the pleasure to participate in a multitude of activities that shape your way of thinking and remain imprinted in your memory, such as the beautiful internships, one-day trips, volunteering activities, and famous guests that were invited.” Alex – Avenor alumnus, class of 2019.
The first generation of the Avenor International High School graduates, Alex‘s generation, finished college and is already employed. Their story is the best guide for our current students who are looking into the future.
Avenor: Please tell us a few words about Alex Gheorghiță – newly hired employee.
Alex: In the beginning I felt immensely joyful and anxious at the same time, as it was my first serious, full-time job, showing me the reality of adulthood and both the responsibilities and perks that came with having a job. While personal time has decreased substantially from what it used to be during Faculty days, it also meant a huge increase in personal and technical skills development, representing a stage of maturing. As months passed, I overcame the shock that everybody experiences when they first start working for real, and slowly but surely gathered substantial amounts of knowledge and skills to, at some point, become a professional Full-Stack engineer.
Avenor: At this point in your life, how close is reality to the projection you made when you were a student?
Alex: Well, the funny thing is that when I was a student at Avenor I really wished to become a civil engineer. I even participated in some internships to two architecture studios and a construction site, an experience which I will never forget. However, in grade 11 or 12 my Computer Science professor, Mr. Ali, told my parents that I was really good at programming and that I should maybe consider it as a career for the future. I am more than glad to say that you were right Mr. Ali, it is a much more satisfying and creative career. Therefore, I thank you very much!
Avenor: How did Avenor help you to become the person you are today?
Alex: Avenor offered me the proper environment to develop as a person. Unlike normal schools, I met some amazing professors who made me enjoy studying their disciplines, I had the opportunity to become fluent in English, so much so that people ask me if I am actually Romanian, I was able to take globally recognized exams that opened many doors for me, and I had the pleasure to participate in a multitude of activities that shape your way of thinking and remain imprinted in your memory, such as the beautiful internships, one-day trips, volunteering activities, and famous guests that were invited.
Avenor: How difficult or easy was the transition from student at Avenor to student at the University?
Alex: In all honesty it was not a difficult transition, and that is because all the studying and preparation for Cambridge exams at Avenor prepared me mentally and gave me the necessary discipline to easily manage life at University. I can say that at moments, studying for Cambridge exams felt like being in University already. However, from a social standpoint, the aspect that changed at University is that I have met and befriended people from all around the globe, from the United States all the way to the Middle East and Asia, friends that I still talk to and go out with even today.
Avenor: What is your most vivid and cherished memory of Avenor?
Alex: There are many such instances of cherished memories. In spite of this, I have to say that the first few weeks at Avenor is the memory that is most alive to me. Why? Because until then, coming from a normal, public school where students would constantly be stuck in a survival mode, I had never thought that there could be such a wonderful school-experience. Besides the jaw-dropping building and hallways that I only saw in movies, the lessons that I attended those weeks left me speechless and craving for more.
