From student to mentor, Pooja (India, 2014–2016) came to Surval Montreux to complete her final two years of secondary school. Surval has remained a constant thread throughout Pooja's academic and personal journey. What began as two formative years as a senior student evolved into a meaningful opportunity to return and give back to the very community that helped shape her future. Today, after graduating with a degree in Political Science from Lynn University, Pooja is pursuing her professional career while carrying with her the values and confidence that Surval instilled in her.
I was a student at Surval Montreux from 2014 to 2016, completing my Grade 11 and Grade 12 studies there. Those two years were truly transformative and played a significant role in shaping who I am today. Surval was not only a school, but a close-knit community that nurtured my confidence, independence, and global outlook.
After graduating in 2016, I continued my studies at Lynn University in Florida, USA, where I earned a degree in Political Science in 2020. The strong academic foundation and personal growth I experienced at Surval prepared me well for university life abroad.
In 2019, I had the wonderful opportunity to return to Surval as part of the Summer Camp team. This time, I experienced the school from a completely different perspective — no longer as a student, but as a mentor and role model for the girls. I supported them in their daily activities, accompanied them on excursions to Geneva and Bern, and helped create a warm and welcoming environment where they could feel at home.
I also introduced Zumba sessions and shared Indian music with the girls, bringing a little of my own culture into the Surval community. It was incredibly rewarding to give back to a place that has given me so much.
Surval will always feel like home to me. The values, friendships, and experiences I gained there continue to influence my journey, and I will always be grateful to be part of the Surval family.
