USC Old Scholar 'Survives' on Reality TV Show
Baden Gilbert (far left) with USC Principal, Anita Zocchi (second from left), and USC students, Veronica Pena Negrette, Sophia Benton, Alex Giannopoulos and Howard Wu.
Congratulations to University Senior College Old Scholar, Baden Gilbert (2012), who finished as runner up on the most recent season of Australian Survivor.
Baden said the experience was a weird, once-in-a-life-time opportunity. “It was great to build friendships, learn to trust and face challenges. My plan going into Survivor was to be friendly and approachable to everyone.”
Keeping his Australian Survivor application a secret, Baden confessed his family and friends were shocked when he told them he had been selected. “The most difficult part was keeping it quiet from everyone when I knew I got into Survivor.” Admitting that he found the experience tough, Baden said he struggled with the lack of food and the extreme weather conditions while also having to being mindful about his conversations, and to think twice before acting on his thoughts.
Baden enjoyed the company of the people he met on Survivor and said they weren’t characters he would normally encounter in everyday life. He admits the experience also taught him not to be too “pre-planned” when it comes to his future. “Spontaneity is good and taking a risk can pay off. You really need to just put yourself out there!”
Feeling that appearing on Survivor was similar to starting at University Senior College, Baden commented, “Both were very similar experiences and Survivor was USC on steroids! I started off at USC not knowing anyone and had to learn to connect very quickly with new friends. The staff at USC made this easy for me and the skills I gained from my experience of starting at USC came in handy when I started on Survivor. USC definitely prepared me for where I am today and equipped me with the necessary skills to overcome a challenge like Survivor.”
Baden said choosing to attend University Senior College was a welcome change when he started Year 11 in 2011. “I needed a fresh start and needed to reboot myself. USC helped me reinvigorate myself socially in an academic setting. I was pushed and supported by passionate teachers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at USC.”
After a very hectic few months, Baden is now back in Adelaide, focusing on and preparing to finish his PHD in Physics at the University of Adelaide.