Sarah Outen
Sarah Outen – first woman & youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean talks to MyDaughter about her school days and offers advice on making choices and her plans for the future.
Q. Your name?
Sarah Outen
Q. Your school?
Stamford High School
Q. Your current occupation?
Motivational speaker, adventurer, writer
Q. Your favourite subject at school?
Biology, English and PE
Q. Your best and worst memory of your school days?
I loved my sport and all the different expeditions over the years. I wasn’t so keen on the dance lessons forced on me as a very unwilling ten year old, in a bid to improve my gymnastics!
Q. What or who inspired you to follow your career?
My sixth form biology teacher Mrs Owens gave me the courage to apply for Oxford, and it is my parents who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. It is a good mantra – at the end of the line, you will only have yourself to answer to.
Q. What do you feel you gained by attending a girls’ only school?
I think there are enough hormones flying around during the teenage years that life is confusing enough without boys thrown into the equation during school. Co-ed sixth form seemed to work very well, so I think I had the best of both worlds at Stamford.
Q. Any advice for parents choosing a school for their daughter?
Do the research and speak to the students when you visit new schools – they are the best mouthpiece for the schools. Ultimately, make sure it suits your daughter and that she is happy with the decision, too.
Q. Any advice for girls planning their university and/or career choices?
Be true to yourself and aim high. Work hard, play hard and enjoy life.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
I have adventure running through my veins, so plans are bubbling away for further expeditions. Meanwhile I am using my experiences to inspire others, particularly young people, to get out there and live their dreams. I am also book writing on the side, and looking at branching out into media. Who knows where I’ll end up?! We’ll see what serendipity throws my way…
Visit Sarah’s website for more
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