The friendships we make at Concord College can last a life-time. We believe that our students should continue to benefit from our vast and varied network long after they leave. We asked our Alumni “what makes Concord College special?” Take a look to see what some of them had to say.

Who: Filip Skierski
Concord Alumni: 2013-2018
Nationality: Polish
“Concord had and still does have a fantastic reputation for its academics. Alongside the incredible cultural variety, I believed it was the best place for me to develop academically and as a young adult. Concord sets you challenges far beyond those of other schools. More importantly, they challenge you to be independent, which for me, really made the step into university much smoother.

“Besides academic success, some of my fondest memories are the time spent with friends and involvement in the ‘house’ competitions. Everyone was always so welcoming and friendly. I certainly made some friends for a lifetime.”

Who: Desiree Renee Chong Ren Rui
Concord Alumni: 2015-2016
Nationality: Singaporean
“Concord seemed to be the best place that offered me opportunities to grow as a person. Concord gave me lasting friendships, and the strength and knowledge that I am able to achieve my goals no matter the obstacles faced. My experience in Concord has taught me true strength, and that it is okay to ask for help.”

Who: Patricia Vlad
Concord Alumni: 2009-2011
Nationality: Romanian
“Concord seemed like this fairy-tale place where diversity and academic excellence were in perfect harmony. I really connected with the values when looking through the website and applying.

“Perhaps my fondest memory was sitting in my first assembly and tearing up at the realisation that I was a Romanian among so many other nationalities that I had never met before in my life, and that these people were going to be my friends.

“My experiences at Concord helped me continue my education at Cambridge. Mr Hawkins taught me a lot of valuable lessons about leadership that I cherish and use to this day. I certainly hope to keep being involved in international education. Maybe someday, I will return to work in Romania and get involved in politics.”

Who: Sujeeporn Tunboonheng
Concord Alumni: 1996-2001
Nationality: Thai
“Someone once told me: Concord means harmony. Back then, this statement did not really make much of an impact, but now when you look back, you’ll have to agree that Concord was and still is a harmonious place. My time at Concord College was a big chapter of my life. As a child, coming to a foreign land could be quite intimidating. However, that was not the case with Concord. The teachers made you feel welcome. The people you met, all from diverse backgrounds, became your companions. I believe they were a big influence in my life and helped to shape me into the person I am today.

“What made Concord College special is probably the people who were there with you. We were different in many ways: cultures, religions – but that did not stop us from making friends and being there for each other. Once we left the college, what we could take away with us are only the memories we share and the friendships that would last for many years to come and of course, a now thriving Alumni community.”

Who: Gursel Karacor
Concord Alumni: 1988-1989
Nationality: Turkish
“When I attended Concord College, it was my first time in England, moreover, my first time abroad. Concord not only helped me adapt to the English culture, but also to the international culture very fast, and that is a thing to last, and it did last. I have always benefited from that. I love my Concordian friends.”

Who: Ane Valverde
Concord Alumni: 1985-1986
Nationality: Spanish
“Concord is a representation of the United Nations in Shropshire. An example of how people from different countries and cultures and religions can live together in peace and harmony. Since leaving Concord 30 years ago, I still keep in touch with many of my friends from those days and am so grateful for that.”

Who: Reza Stephan Amiri
Concord Alumni: 1978-1981
Nationality: Iranian/Greek
“I think attending Concord was the best time span of my life. The best thing about Concord College is the international environment, meeting with other students from so many different countries. This has given me a much better understanding of the different cultures we have in this world.

“Today I work for a big international company travelling to many places in the world. It’s Concord College that gave me the confidence to be able to communicate with people having so many diverse cultures. This would not be possible if I had visited a local school. Also, it is wonderful to have been at a college that has such a high educational standard, in which nearly all of the graduates achieve A grades and better. As a successful student at Concord, it gives you so many great opportunities to start to study at excellent universities around the world.

“Last but not least, it’s wonderful, to still have so many friends around the world that have also attended Concord College. Concord will always remain a part of my life that I will never want to miss.”

Who: Mohammed Abdul Shafi
Concord Alumni: 1973-1975
Nationality: Jordanian
“Apart from the fact that Concord College has the highest educational standards, management, staff and more, it really has the elite & the cream level of students from many different countries who have added positively to the success of Concord College.”