Interview with Bonita and Barali Burford, Class of 2020
7 May 2024
Interview with Sarah Horne, Admissions and Marketing Manager
Bonita and Barali, we are so happy to see you on campus!
This trip is extra special because you were asked to speak to the Y12 and Y13 classes about life after LANNA. Your words of wisdom were sure to help ease their minds about transitioning to University. As alumni, you are always welcome back to campus, where you will forever be an integral part of our story!
And, while we still have you here, I thought you could share a few other memories about your time at LANNA. That said…
What are some of your favourite moments from your time at LANNA?
Bonita: I think some of my favourite moments at Lanna were participating in the International Award. We got to go camping with friends which was fun – and I also learned so many skills from it. During the Silver Award process we had a “survival experience”, and we had to build bamboo houses and construct shelters. All while being stranded in a forest! It was great that Lanna offered that as an extracurricular. Especially because it was one that built up throughout the years, and it got more intense each time. It was very goal-oriented and rewarding. It built up our confidence and showed us that we could do hard things that build our character.
Plus, now I know how to survive in the forest – but only if I have a machete!
Barali: We also did Community Service every week with a local Thai school. We went in and taught English, and could really see the progress. It was a real motivator to do even more community service.
How do you think the Academic curriculum prepared you for higher education, and as you start your careers?
Bonita: I think the A-level courses prepare you very well for University. A lot of the work I did in the first semester of Uni, were things that I already did in A-Levels. So LANNA gave me a really good foundation. One that made it that much easier to transition to University. And, I felt more confident. Knowing that I had the knowledge made things less stressful than being slammed with so many things that you don’t know.
Barali: And not just the knowledge, but the skills we had from LANNA were really great for me to start using at University. Like the lab experience I got here at LANNA, I used in University. For example, I had to do a group project in the first days at school, and I probably had the least amount of trouble doing the lab report because I had built up the skills from doing it at LANNA already.
Bonita: Definitely. Having done A-levels it really felt like such a smooth transition.
How has being a part of the international community here at LANNA influenced your world-view and played a role in your life?
Barali: I think it means I’m a lot more open-minded. It’s easier to navigate communicating with people from diverse backgrounds. I think the most important thing is that when I first went to University, I noticed that there were a lot of people that hadn’t been around others of diverse backgrounds. It made me appreciate being at LANNA, where I formed friendships with people despite our differences and connected with them really well. I think LANNA helped me be able to adapt to new environments.
Bonita: I completely agree!
If you could give one piece of advice to current students, what would it be?
Bonita: To take every opportunity you can do. Even if it’s something you know how to do or aren’t sure about doing. Like, if you’ve always done sports…try signing up for a drama production. Being comfortable with trying new things is just a good skill to have when you go to University.
Barali: Yes, that’s true. LANNA had so many opportunities for us to do things. You can just do and sign-up for anything. There was never a limit on how many people can do things, which I found at Uni. So, take advantage of the opportunities while you’re here at LANNA!
Bonita and Barali graduated from LANNA in 2020 and went on to attend the University of Melbourne, a Top 50 University worldwide. Barali was also accepted into Cambridge University — but she turned the offer down to pursue medicine at the University of Melbourne!
