Class of 2022 Sharing – Benjamin Tandy Ortega (Gap Year)

What is your name?
Benjamin Tandy Ortega

Are you studying or taking a gap year?
Gap Year

Where is your gap year?
Hong Kong SAR

What do you do during this gap year?
Playing professional football and doing an internship (at a sustainable engineering company called Arup)

How do you describe your gap year?
Quite busy but very diverse and worthwhile. I wanted to ensure my gap year was enjoyable but also a meaningful experience which would grow me as an individual and make me a more rounded person. I think I have achieved a good mix of this as I am pursuing something which I am truly passionate about (playing football) but using my spare time in the afternoon to gain work experience at a globally renowned company which hasn’t just taught me specific skills in the engineering sphere but has also taught me about general life as an office worker, providing me with an insight as to whether this is something I might want to pursue in the future.

What is the happiest experience in your gap year?
Making my professional debut playing football. This was something that has always been a goal in my life so to achieve it was a special moment for me. I cherished the experience and it proved to me that I truly am passionate about playing football.

What is your top tip/advice that you will give to Sha Tin College students on their Higher Education?
Don’t just go down a path because it is ‘conventional’ or commonplace to do so. In the grand scheme of things, waiting a year or two before going to university is not a huge deal. If you have a passion for something else and you are able to try and pursue it for a year or two then give it a go and see what opens up for you!