Since the age of about five, Andria Zafirakou can remember wanting to be a teacher.
‘I’d line up all my dolls and teddies in front of me, and call a register. Rather than running around outside, or playing shops with my plastic till, I’d be teaching English, Maths and Science to my “pupils”,’ she says.
At school, as a pupil herself, Andria, now 44, soon fell in love with Art.
‘Even now, I can remember the creative projects that I worked on when I was six and seven years old. I’d put so much effort into whatever I was making, always wanting my finished drawing to look the best.’
When Andria, from Brent, northwest London, went to secondary school and began to consider a career, she didn’t even have to give it a second thought.
‘I wanted to be an Art teacher,’ Andria says. But her parents, who had migrated to the UK from Greece and Cyprus, didn’t approve.
‘My mother and father thought I should be focusing on Science, Economics, History – subjects that would help me to get a job as a doctor or a solicitor. “What job can you get with Art, Andria?” they’d say. And I knew that that meant choosing to pursue art wasn’t an option.’
Andria picked History instead, with her parents’ blessing. But just two weeks later, she knew she had made the wrong decision.
‘I begged my tutors to let me switch to Art, the subject I’d wanted to do all along. Then I had to go home and have a really difficult conversation with my mum and dad!’
Thankfully, while they may not have fully approved of her choice, Andria’s parents didn’t stop her pursuing her dream.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
10 OF THE BEST Buys for CHARITY
Look great and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October
How to HAGGLE
Save those £££s by plucking up the courage to negotiate
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Here to help
LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Good to GLOW
Plant your bulbs now for a lovely bright start to spring
Painted VASES
Prettify empty jars and bottles with this quick craft project
Escape to OXFORD
Delve into the city's rich cultural heritage for a wonderful weekend
Sail through menopause WITHOUT WEIGHT GAIN!
Middle-aged spread may seem inevitable - but it really doesn't have to be
Woodland wonders
When you go down to the woods, you'll find a whole new world teeming with life
'We should all be dancing'
Singer and actor Toyah Willcox on overcoming adversity, ageing and Strictly Come Dancing