“A STRANGER BECOMES FAMILY IN A FEW DAYS”
Naia A.
Bloom Graduate, 2019
Accepted into the Maritime Law Programme at the University of Plymouth, England
Naia has been a part of the Bloom family since she was 9 years old. Having always attended small schools, she has a strong sense of community. For Naia, Bloom was like a “comfort zone” when she first arrived. “If you’re looking to fit in somewhere, there’s no more friendly and open school.”
At Bloom, students are open to different opinions, and slow to judge their peers according to Naia. “From a young age, Bloom taught me to express myself constructively. To reflect, and to be respectful of others, despite our differences.” In particular, the school provided a rich social-emotional environment because “so many students speak more than one language, and many students have parents with different nationalities.”
At Bloom, she even learned to think of herself as both Bosnian and British. With the support of a Bloom staff member, she came to realize that her mixed heritage blessed her with “a gift.” She believes that having a healthy perspective on the world is an advantage that she can leverage.
Naia had the opportunity to cultivate her love of art at Bloom, thanks to the dedication of a few teachers who encouraged her to develop her talent. Her works have won the admiration of her peers, inspired younger artists, and even helped her win a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school in England for two years.
Bloom also equipped her with an ability to manage herself. “To be left to my own devices for how to get work done is important for my future.” However, she cautions other students to understand that “you need to be motivated here. You have to have the inner will and drive to do well.”
A future in Maritime Law makes sense to her because she enjoys arguing, debating, and memorizing facts, but she also loves the sea as it is a “huge part” of her life. Naia feels her career path is a great way to help the environment and do something worthwhile. She plans to study law in Britain, and then possibly return to work in the Balkans near the coast.