From Brazil to Worthing College: Student Union President Beatriz Shares Her Amazing Journey

Meet Beatriz Ferrari Boness, who may be one of the most travelled SU Presidents to study at Worthing College.

Born and raised in Brazil until she was 11, ‘Bea’ arrived at Worthing College in September 2024 via Italy, Spain and Portugal. We asked her a few questions about her education journey, her involvement with the Student Union and time at the college.

Where are you from and can you tell us about your travels?

I was born in Brazil and raised there until I was about 11. My family moved to Italy in 2019 then we lived in Cambridge from September 2020 to May 2022. We then moved to Spain from May 22 to August 22. We then moved to Portugal from August 22 to April 23 when we came to Worthing.

I spent year seven in Italy, year eight and halfway through year nine in the UK. And then I came back to the UK after spending the whole of year 10 in Portugal doing completely different subjects. We moved back here (England) in April 2023 and I went to Worthing High for the last two months of year 10 and then did my GCSEs passing in six subjects.

You’ve done a lot of travelling – do you think that makes you more outwardly looking and gives you more resilience?

I would say so, mainly because of the amount of moving and having to leave some people behind and still trying to be in contact with them even if there’s a time zone difference.

And maybe life changes, where each one of us can’t talk as much. So just like building up a barrier I would say, like being able to concentrate and being able to, if you need to move tomorrow, being able to talk to everyone and say ‘I’m going – I’ll be back one day, maybe.’

What are you studying?

Double Business and Politics.

How have you found the college?

It has been a great experience for me because all the staff members are really welcoming as well.

I started on Level 2 Business with English Language at GCSE in first year. Then I started A Levels in September 25. All the resources and support I needed was here, even my friends, most of them came here and they were a big support as well.

So, and the new friends I made as well, because within the classroom there were many other students going through the same stages that I was.

Can you tell us about your involvement with the SU?

My first thought when I got involved was because I was not raised here, so I had a different background and, at the time, I was thinking about going to unis. So, I had this thought that, it they look on my curriculum and saw that I did three years in college, they might want to know more reasons why. So, I thought getting involved might kind give me extra points because it shows that I care for others as well.

What are your plans for the future?

I will take a gap year and work in different places to find out what I want to do for the rest of my life. I was thinking about working a cruise for the first couple of months to do some travelling and make money as well.

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