Itchen Sixth Form College is known for bringing together students from all over the world, and the story of Hugo and Tom exemplifies the strong, lasting connections that can form during a student’s time here.
Tom’s Journey
Tom attended Itchen from 2012 to 2014 and was actively involved as a student ambassador, helping international students settle into life at the college. He guided them on trips to iconic local spots such as the New Forest and Winchester, fostering a sense of community.
“Marie-Flor (his Spanish and French teacher) asked us to be a friendly face to the internationals,” Tom says.
It was during one of these social gatherings, a barbecue, that Tom met Hugo, a Brazilian student on a six-month exchange programme.
The pair quickly became friends and, after Hugo returned to Brazil, they kept in touch, Skyping weekly to stay connected. Tom’s international friendships grew when he also met another Brazilian student at Itchen and, in 2014, he took the opportunity to visit them both in Salvador and São Paulo. Hugo and Tom even embarked on a memorable road trip to Rio de Janeiro together.
“It was only about a seven- or eight-hour drive,” Tom mentions, at which point my jaw drops.
Tom’s passion for travel and languages, nurtured at Itchen, led him to pursue a TEFL qualification, initially hoping to teach English in Brazil. However, his career took an unexpected turn, and he found himself teaching at a summer camp in China – an experience he fondly describes as “madness.” His time there not only deepened his love for cultural exchange but also led to him meeting his wife. Today, Tom works for Apple, utilising his language skills in a global role, all of which he credits to his time at Itchen.
“If I hadn’t gone to Itchen, I honestly don’t think my life would have turned out the way it did. Without the international school, I wouldn’t have met all these people who changed my life in the most amazing ways.”
Hugo’s Story
For Hugo, studying at Itchen was a dream come true. His mother runs an agency specialising in international exchange programmes, and from an early age, Hugo had his sights set on England.
“It was a dream for me,” Hugo declares with an authentic smile.
What attracted him to Itchen specifically was the high academic standards and the opportunity to immerse himself in English culture, away from large Brazilian student communities.
At Itchen, Hugo chose to study English Literature, preferring it over traditional ESOL courses, and he embraced life in England wholeheartedly. He fondly recalls his first trip abroad to Poland, which shaped his perspective on travel and culture.
“Kraków was a great experience,” Hugo says with a solemn undertone. “It was a history trip, and it was so important to learn about and visit Auschwitz.”
Hugo also remembers many adventures exploring cities around the UK. His time with Tom was a highlight, describing their relationship as “Samwise to my Frodo” – a reference to their camaraderie, especially during their visit to Winter Wonderland.
After returning to Brazil to finish high school, Hugo’s educational journey took him into law, before he pivoted to a career in marketing and communications. He graduated in 2019 and has since worked across Brazil. Now a Product Marketing Manager for Parfin, a digital assets startup with ties to both Brazil and the UK, Hugo is able to work remotely and travel extensively – something he attributes to the skills and confidence he gained during his time at Itchen. He also highlights the importance of his history classes with Christian, a teacher he found both inspiring and engaging, and notes how studying British history shaped his academic interests in Brazil.
Hugo’s bond with the UK remains strong, with his sister now living in London and a long-term aspiration to return and potentially build a life here. He even has ambitions to pursue a legal career in the UK one day.
A Lasting Impact
Both Tom and Hugo agree that their time at Itchen was transformative. For Tom, it opened the door to a career that combines his passion for languages with technology, while for Hugo, it was a stepping stone to a career that allows him to work on an international stage. More than that, though, their story is a reminder that the friendships formed at Itchen can last a lifetime, transcending borders and creating shared experiences that span continents.
