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Emma Turner

I am currently studying for a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages (French and Spanish) at Cambridge University (Robinson College).

What are your future plans and ambitions?

In the future, I’m hoping to be able to use my languages on a daily basis, as well as learning more languages. It would be a dream to become an interpreter for the United Nations or alternatively I’d like to be able to work for an international charity or inspire others to study languages by going into the educational sector. I’m keeping my options open for now.

What has been the highlight of your life so far after leaving school?

Starting university has been amazing; I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people from so many different backgrounds, gaining so much more independence, and trying out lots of new things.

What is your favourite Teesdale memory?

If I had to choose one favourite aspect of Teesdale, it would have to be all the amazing school trips over the years – from a history trip to the Belgian battlefields to winning a competition to go and visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg, I learnt so much and really appreciated so many exciting opportunities.

Advice to my younger self...

Stop worrying about what others think, and stop worrying if you’re doing well enough. Do your best, but don’t push yourself too hard – just relax and be who you are! (Oh, and maybe try doing your homework the day you get it, not the night before it’s due!)

You can invite one person to a dinner party - who do you invite and why?

I would invite JK Rowling, because she has been an inspiration to me since childhood thanks to the effect of her books on my love of reading and words. I’d love to ask her for writing advice and get the chance to delve a little further into the lives of her characters. I would like to thank her for all the good work she has done not only in inspiring individuals like myself, but also in using her talent to help with charity work and stand up for less fortunate groups of society.

JK Rowling