Valentina Vazquez

 is a contestant from Survivor: Jeju Island.

Profile
Name (Age): Valentina Vazquez (56)

Tribe Designation: Jeonsa

Current Residence: McKeesport, Pennsylvania

Claim to Fame: Over 35 years of nursing at the exact same hospital and being so recognised and valued by my staff for my work and contributions. Let me tell you that it helps so much speaking a second language. I learned English really quickly when I got here but never lost my native language. It helps so much when a Spanish-speaking patient walks through the door.

Inspiration in Life: My parents, who gave up everything when I and my siblings were so young to move to a country that spoke a language they barely knew, so it would give us a better opportunity in life. I never forgot that and I’ve made the most of every moment.

Hobbies: I volunteer down at the local soup kitchen whenever I have some free time and I like to play the harp since I started learning a few years ago. I’m also great at Italian card games, Scopa and Briscola. I have my own set of Italian playing cards and it’s really fun to teach people how to play!

Pet Peeves: Intolerance, the racist people who jump up and down about how immigrants are taking over the country. People need to realise the value that immigrants bring to the country and we aren’t all lumped in with the horribly negative stereotypes.

If You Could Have 3 Things on the Island, What Would They Be and Why:

1) Definitely my Italian playing cards. I think I’d be able to make quite a few friends teaching them how to play the card games!

2) The necklace that my husband, Rodrigo, gave me for our 30th anniversary not too long ago. It would be a great, sentimental, reminder of home.

3) Some laundry detergent, soapy water, something like that so I could wash my clothes cleanly and make sure they smelled nice.

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Natalie Anderson. I see a lot of myself in her. She knew when to talk and when to bite her tongue, and she knew how to fly under the radar and take advantage of any opportunity given to her.

Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: I want to explore my devious side, and what better way to do that in a game for a million dollars?

Why You Will Survive SURVIVOR: Being well trained in first aid, if anybody or myself were to run into some trouble, I’d be able to treat them and become a valuable member of the tribe.

Why You Will Be the Sole SURVIVOR: I want to be an opportunistic person and take advantage of anything that comes my way. I don’t want to leave the game with regrets and ruing what might have been, so if a better opportunity comes, I’m taking it. I’m also very socially aware, so I’m not one of those people who’ll make a big move for the sake of it. Quality, not quantity, as they say.