Student Spotlight: Natalia Almeida (Peru 🇵🇪)

May 28

👋 Can you introduce yourself?

Hi! I’m Natalia Almeida, I’m 16 years old, and I’m greeting you from the beautiful city of Lima, Peru. I’m currently in my last year of high school, which is really exciting for me.

📚 What motivates you in your daily school life?

For me, it’s definitely when the teacher welcomes us with a smile and a positive attitude. It may seem like a small thing, but it completely changes the energy of the class and makes me feel motivated for the rest of the day.

🎶 Tell us about your passion for music.

I love music—my main hobby is singing. For the past two years, I’ve been the lead singer of a rock band, and we mostly perform 80s rock classics. I absolutely love being on stage with my bandmates and making music together.

Music has always been in my DNA. My mom introduced me to classical music when I was little, and my dad inspired me with 80s rock.

🎤 How did you start your band?

After taking singing lessons for a few months, some friends and I decided to start a band. I became the lead singer, and since then we’ve been rehearsing and playing small gigs together.

To be honest, I wasn’t always good at it. I had to work really hard. I even started taking singing lessons while I was already in the band because I wanted to give my best to my bandmates and really perform well.

🌟 What is it like performing on stage?

Performing is definitely a challenge. Having so many people watching you can make you nervous, but I try to see it as an exciting challenge.

I focus on having fun on stage, connecting with the lyrics and the rhythm. And having my parents and friends in the audience gives me a big confidence boost—it makes me want to show everyone what I can do.

📖 What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

When I want to relax, I really enjoy reading young adult books—they’re so calming. I also like working out to stay healthy and keep my energy levels high.

☕ If you could meet anyone, who would it be?

It would definitely be Elvis Presley. He’s my favorite singer of all time. I admire his career, his voice, and his unique style.

I would love to ask him about his stage presence and the impact he had on the history of music.

💪 How do you stay motivated and disciplined?

When I feel tired, I remind myself of what I want to achieve and why I started in the first place.

I’ve learned that motivation comes and goes, but discipline is what keeps you moving forward. Even when things get tough, I stay focused because I know the hard work will pay off.

🌱 What does success mean to you?

For me, success is looking back and seeing how much I’ve grown as a person.

It’s about setting goals, working hard, and enjoying the process. If I can make my family proud and feel proud of my own effort, then that’s true success.

📚 Do you have a favorite book or movie?

My favorite classic book is The Little Prince because it teaches about love, friendship, and seeing life with a pure heart.

As for movies, Mamma Mia! will always be my favorite. It’s fun, energetic, and actually the only musical film I really like.

🎧 What kind of music inspires you most?

My favorite singer is Elvis Presley. His performance of Suspicious Minds is one of my top favorites because of his live energy and interpretation. I also love his version of Unchained Melody.

⏰ What does a typical day in your life look like?

My days are very active! I wake up at 5:00 a.m. and go to the gym for about 45 minutes of strength and cardio.

By 7:10 a.m., I’m at school. After classes, around 3:30 p.m., I go straight into extracurriculars like singing lessons or school projects. I usually get home around 6:00 p.m.

It’s a long day, but after finishing my homework, I make sure to get a good night’s sleep to recharge.

📖 How do you like to study?

I like my study space to be clean and spacious because I get distracted easily. I prefer studying in silence with only my notes around me—it helps me stay focused.

☀️ What is the school year like in Peru?

Our main summer break is in January and February, which is our warmest and sunniest season. School starts in March.

We also have short one-week breaks in May and October, and instead of one big exam period, we have continuous evaluations throughout the year.

🌍 What advice would you give to new students?

Enjoy the journey and appreciate every lesson. Don’t just focus on grades—focus on how much you’re learning and how these subjects expand your world.

It’s an amazing experience if you take the time to really engage and have fun with it.

🤝 What advice do you have about joining clubs or activities?

Just go for it! It’s a great way to connect with students from all over the world who share your passions.

You get to do fun activities, share your ideas, and make great friends. It’s an experience you won’t regret.

✨ Natalia’s story reminds us that success is not just about achievement—but about passion, growth, and embracing every step of the journey.

Kim Kontos