Elisa Angelino ’26, a dual citizen of the United States and Italy, has achieved a remarkable perfect record on her university applications, securing offers from all five institutions she applied to in the United Kingdom. She will attend King’s College London to study Geography and Environmental Science, with aspirations of pursuing a career in environmental consultancy. Her other offers came from University College London, Durham University, University of Exeter, and University of Bristol. An English and Italian speaker who is also learning Spanish, Elisa spent three years at TASIS and completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Her academic foundation also included taking AP European History during her first year on campus in grade 10. Beyond the classroom, Elisa was deeply involved in campus leadership and community engagement. She served as a prefect in the Residential Life program, founded the school’s Rotary Club, and earned a seat on the student-directed Global Service Program Board after acting as a student leader for a service trip to Nepal. A versatile performer and athlete, she took the stage in three fall plays and a spring musical while competing for the volleyball, badminton, and track & field teams. Her broad campus involvement was rounded out by participation in the Journalism Fellowship, TASIS Speaker Series Committee, Dante Club, Ski Club, and Fishing Club. In a reflective interview shortly after her graduation in May 2026, Elisa shared how her time at the school prepared her for the next chapter. She noted that TASIS prepared her both academically and socially for college, citing her experience in dorm life as teaching her to live and collaborate with others in both discomfort and tranquillity. Academically, through the IB and AP curricula, she learned to better manage stress and time and to know when to seek out her teachers. She also pointed out that because UK university work is largely self-study, many components of the IB have prepared her well. The College Counseling Office played a key role in helping her narrow her UK university selections and offered valuable advice as she decided on her program. They were also very supportive in her courses and always let her relax and let go of her stress on their couches.
When asked about the experiences she found most inspiring at TASIS, Elisa highlighted the Global Service Program. It opened her up to the world and to new people at her school. Traveling to Nepal with a small group of students she was unfamiliar with gave her new friendships and experiences she would not trade for the world. She still reminisces on pictures she took of Nepal, the people they met, and the food they ate, and the trip remains a topic of conversation with the other students she went with—even those who left TASIS. The trip also influenced her course of study after learning how Tibet’s history and Nepal’s current struggles largely play into the interdependence between countries’ economic development, their location, and their relationship with the environment. Reflecting on the courses and teachers she will remember most fondly, Elisa praised the entire IB Program for influencing how she acts and views the world. She thanked Ms. Anderson for being a supportive and amazing coordinator even through stressful times, and Mr. Skove for making each economics class fun while also being an amazing teacher. Ms. Yuçel left a significant impact on her learning and helped motivate her through her mathematics journey, offering to help review during her free time. Ms. Bragger will always remain in her heart not only as the most caring dorm parent but also as the warmest person she met, and her dedication to helping the dorm team while being an amazing teacher will always push Elisa to be more considerate and unconditional. Mr. Zanecchia was thanked for being a fun advisor and coach who was always there for the students. Lastly, being in Dr. Love’s class for the past three years taught her so much about a world beyond the tangible, and it was a true honor to sit in his classroom. As she looks ahead, Elisa said she will miss the community that has been so supportive each day and how there are never any boring moments on campus. She will miss seeing her teachers each day and living with her friends in the dorm, noting that she never acknowledged how much of a blessing it is to be constantly surrounded by people who brighten your day.
