The Bridge AISB Alumni Magazine Issue IV.

Meet the alumni magazine team

Magdalen Gray Reka Sari Abel Blanco

Magda heads the Advancement Team at AISB. We take care of the outwardfacing parts of AISB life, most importantly sharing our stories of learning and growth. I am grateful to have the honor of such a rewarding role, and my work for AISB encompasses my passions; the surrounding environment, the learning landscape, and the exciting prospects we pursue. What’s not to love?

Reka is the Editor-in-Chief, Alumni Lead and Brand Manager at AISB. Her true passion lies in fostering connections within the AISB alumni community, which she finds truly rewarding. Reka loves connecting with the phenomenal Blazer community and discovering new ways to engage with them. When she’s not working, Reka enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, spending time with her family and friends. She is also a passionate dancer.

THE BRIDGE

ISSUE #4 | 2023

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

Reka Sari rsari@aisb.hu

PUBLISHER American International School of Budapest ABOUT

BLAZER UPDATES

We really appreciate your continued contributions to future editions. Please email your updates with a photo to alumnioffice@aisb.hu

STORY CONTRIBUTIONS

We would love to hear your story. Please write to alumnioffice@aisb.hu

Abel Blanco is the Design & Content Lead at AISB. There is a number of places where you can find him when he is not working on a video project or graphic design concept: He can be found either enjoying a lángos in Dömös after hiking to Prédikálószék, riding a bike up to Dobogókő to enjoy the amazing views of the Danube bend. Or lastly, in the kitchen experimenting recipes with black garlic.

PUBLICATION

The Bridge is an annual alumni magazine. Digital copies will be downloaded here at the time of publishing: https://www.aisb.hu/en/our-community/alumni/

PRINT EDITIONS

For print copies, please email us at alumnioffice@aisb.hu We are happy to ship additional copies to you at no charge.

ADVERTISING

We do not currently accept paid advertising. We are glad, however, to promote relevant items if they are mentioned within articles.

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Abel Blanco ablanco@aisb.hu

PHOTOGRAPHY

Abel Blanco ablanco@aisb.hu

Adnan Fathy afathy@aisb.hu

Schools are constantly evaluating the skills and depositions students require to thrive in the world beyond their gates. Our vision, ‘Future-ready, today’ embodies AISB’s commitment to this endeavor. One such character strength discussed at length in recent years is resilience. The pandemic made us much more aware of the need to be resilient as our lives altered significantly through the loss of our normal routines.

Sometimes, when people talk about resilience, they talk about coping. People will say they survived an ordeal or ‘hung in there’. However, at AISB, we want more than that. We hope that in times of adversity, our students will thrive, seeking out opportunities, supporting others, and solving the complex issues confronting them and their communities. In adversity there is opportunity. Scientists find cures, engineers solve problems, and entrepreneurs respond with solutions. To experience this type of success during times of hardship, people need a strength of character that is not easily or quickly learned. Like anything in life, if you want to be good at something, you need to practice. To thrive in adverse times means you need to experience some adversity in your life.

In a school like AISB, this can sometimes be a challenge as our students are well-supported by loving families and have the resources at school and home to follow almost any path. Therefore, AISB must be intentional to ensure its students will have the necessary experiences to thrive in challenging circumstances. As we embark on our new strategic plan, we seek to develop further opportunities to help our students build resilience and realize our vision of Future-ready, today.

We look forward to sharing more of our work in this area with you in the future.

Warm regards,

Brett Penny Head of School

Welcome from the Director

AISB ANNIVERSARY

AISB is proud to celebrate 50 years of life next year. We are excited to be spending the year reminiscing and reflecting on the impact that our school has had on Blazers since 1973. We would love to hear how the school spirit lives on in your lives.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our reunion on Friday, June 14th, 2024. Please put this date in your diaries, and let’s make this the biggest reunion yet! Information will be updated on our website regularly. Check it out!

On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, we will hold our first AISB fundraising gala! The event will be a fun-filled night to connect with friends and participate in forming the future of AISB and Alumni funded projects.

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a chain bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest. It is a unique symbol of the city.

AISB celebrates 50 years of history, St Stephen’s daySt Stephen’s daySt Stephen’s daySt Stephen’s daySt Stephen’s daySt Stephen’s day

Firewors is a universal symbol of celebration and in Hungary is no exception, during St Stephen’s day crowds gather to withnes the spectacle.

Photos courtesy of Kornel Thomas

Alumni in the Spotlight

KORNEL THOMAS (‘05)

This issue’s Alumni in the Spotlight features Kornel Thomas, an awardwinning conductor and composer. His latest achievement was winning the 2nd prize at the 2022 Bartók World Competition out of 96 composers from 31 countries. Composing is vital to Kornel’s’ livelihood and his work, he was a also prize-winner in the Müpa Composers Competition. Kornel’s late mother was Hungarian (Catalina Szabo-Thomas taught German and Spanish and ran summer camp at AISB from 1994-2010) and his father is American (Geoffrey Thomas, High School German Teacher at AISB from 1993-2019) he grew up in Hungary and lived many years in Austria and later in the United States and has been active in several countries.

What was the most memorable thing during your years at AISB?

This memory comes from the fourth grade when the elementary school was at its old location on Kakukk street. The entire fourth grade did a project on the Amazon rainforest. We decorated the entire hallway with our artwork of Amazonian trees, plants, and animals. To me, as a child, the scale of the project seemed astronomic. Something that has stuck with me to this day was learning that McDonalds and all the other fast-food restaurants were exploiting the Amazon, cutting massive amounts of rainforest to graze cows. It is outrageous that this is still happening today.

When did music become a big part of your life?

Growing up in a musical family meant that music was part of my life from the very beginning. As a five- or six-year-old, I would be digging through my Lego box searching for a specific Lego piece while humming a very complicated theme by Bach. My father loves telling me this anecdote. Naturally, I started taking violin lessons at a young age. However, it wasn’t until my first dabbles in composition when I knew that music is what I wanted to do in my life.

Do you remember the first piece you composed?

Yes, it was a solo violin work and a string quartet. I recently came across the string quartet. I should burn it, just like Brahms did with all his works he deemed unsuitable to the public.

What qualities will help a young composer and/or conductor to succeed?

Great education, great music teachers, extremely dedicated work ethic, immense amount of networking, perseverance, and more networking. Did I mention networking?

You have won several awards throughout your career. What was the most rewarding?

Yes, I have had success in multiple competitions. However, in my opinion competitions are gruesome, soul-crushing sporting events. Every time I have been a part of one, my state of mind deteriorates. Unfortunately, to get ahead in a musical career today, one must part take in them and finish at the top or at least near the top. The most rewarding aspect of the competitions is working with great musicians and creating concerts that are exhilarating and inspiring, which is significantly more fulfilling to me.

You have conducted the Hungarian State Opera, Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Nice Philharmonic Orchestra just to name a few. What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of in your career thus far?

Every conducting engagement is unique and thrilling. I believe the best accomplishment to achieve is the honor of being invited back. This means you are doing something right. The orchestras enjoy working with you and together you are creating exciting and meaningful concerts.

How do you find inspiration to write music?

I had an over a decade long hiatus with composing. I struggled immensely with producing my own ideas. I did not realize at the time, but not succeeding at this outlet hurt my mental health. My wife’s immense support and the pandemic lockdowns helped to open a door within me to write again. The flood gates are now open. Inspiration comes from the vast knowledge I have gained over time, the many ideas I have had bottled up within me, and my curiosity to learn about the many musical cultures.

What or Who influenced you the most?

My first composing teacher, Laszlo Draskoczy, was an immense influence on me and his teachings accompany me to this day still.

What is a normal day like in your line of work (assuming there is such a thing as a normal day)?

My days look very different than the average person’s. A musician’s life is an every day, every hour lifestyle. Even when I’m not actively studying, composing, or conducting, my brain is thinking about music. This is not always fun but most of the time I do enjoy the inner music brain. My year alternates between two different phases: conducting and composing. The conducting phase depends on my conducting engagements with orchestras. Conducting an orchestra is similar to presenting at a TED talk event. You must have a deep understanding of the works you will be conducting by the first rehearsal with an orchestra. A conductor’s preparation must be meticulous and thorough. Studying at such a deep level takes time. During my prep days I will be at the piano or kitchen table studying most of the day. Typically, concerts happen on Friday or Saturday (this is not always the case) and leading up to a concert I will rehearse four to five days with an orchestra. Depending on how hard the repertoire is, rehearsals can last between 3 to 6 hours a day. My composing phase must be during longer pockets of time when I do not have conducting engagements. Like an author, composing consumes your whole day. There are no time stamps, one can work all day without realizing it.

What projects are you working on right now?

I am currently in my composing phase. I am writing a concerto written for solo clarinet and wind ensemble, which will be performed in the states in March 2023.

What next? What is your main goal in your career?

Continuing the upward path that I have built in composing and conducting. This line of work takes time and patience. I would love to conduct in countries that I have never visited before and make my list of compositions larger by the day.

You also taught music for children to "transform and empower their lives through music". What is the most innovative idea you have seen in education, elsewhere?

I worked at a music program in Denver called ‘El Sistema’, which was dedicated to children who came from low socio-economic households. The program was completely free for these students. During my time there, I worked daily with over a two hundred students. Music was a way to teach these young students joy, vigor, perseverance, fine motor skills, and so many more positive attributes. All the students, no matter their skill level, played in an orchestra. My innovative idea: implement more orchestra/band time and opportunities for all students.

What three ideas should we implement?

I cannot stress enough how vitally important the arts are, especially music, for children. To quote Jose Antonio Abreu the founder of ‘El Sistema’: “Music has to be recognized as an agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values - solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community and to express sublime feelings.”

I worked at a music program in Denver called ‘El Sistema’, which was dedicated to children who came from low socio-economic households.

My ideas are naturally going to be biased to music. I believe schools should heavily invest in the orchestra or band culture. Have an arsenal of instruments at hand. Create easy onsite access to private music lessons. (Texas middle and high schools engage a massive number of professional music teachers to teach privately at their schools.) Believe me, the students who study an instrument at a high level are the ones who get into medical, engineering, or law school.

How does music help with resilience?

Learning an instrument uses so many parts of the brain. Fine motor skills, coordination, learning to “speak” and read a new language (yes, music is a language). There are so many layers that must coexist, I am sometime surprised our brains can do this. For the brain, studying music is like the working out the muscles at the gym. The more you do it, the stronger it gets. Learning so many different skills like this comes from failing and trying again and again; musicians learn quickly that they need to adjust quickly, taking into consideration what they hear and what their teachers ask of them.

What do you listen to when you drive?

Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast – Revisionist History

Steeped in our AISB ethos is an enduring sense of Community and Connection. It is in this spirit that we have heralded the continual growth of the AISB Alumni program. It begins, middle and ends with you!

Our AISB Values start with Community...

We believe in the importance of community as a meaningful social connection tool to keep the positive spirit of AISB alive and thriving through and past graduation.

Social Connection is more than just a group of connecting apps; it defines a fundamental psychological need of humans in the wellness tapestry of our lives. We are purposefully hardwired for connection and our digital world makes this an (at times overwhelming) breeze.

Healthy Communities form the backbone of a healthy society and the cornerstone of our evolution as ultra-social beings. We believe that a pillar of everyone’s happiness and fulfillment is a connection to a healthy community. We are helping to build that for you and keep the community alive here at AISB.

We need your help to drive this growth with us... however you can! Here are some ways you can be part of our AISB Alumni Community growth:

• Volunteer to be your class rep

• Organise an event near you

• Come to our annual reunion at AISB in Budapest

• Help connect us with other alums

• Tell us what you would like from your Alumni Program

Congratulations class of 2022

WORDS BY GRAHAM MACLURE, HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL PHOTOS BY ADNAN FATHY

Dear Class of 2022, Having missed so much class during the pandemic you were faced with a challenging return to school this year, and it was impressive to see how you all pulled together to make it through. As a class, you not only showed incredible resilience but also brought your eclectic talents and personalities, and sense of fun to everything you did. I will always remember the energy and camaraderie you all showed at the Prom.

It was enjoyable to be able to share with you some of those key events which returned to AISB for the first time in several years - the musical, interschool sports, and athletics, the art exhibition, concerts, and the Senior Dinner to name just a

few. You embraced all these opportunities with open arms and I was proud of the many ways in which, as a class, you took a leading role, continuing to show up and participate in sports, clubs, the arts, and activities, sometimes even long after your classes were over and your exams were done.

I wish you all the very best in your next adventures. My hope for you is that wherever your journey takes you, you share your talents, skills, passions, and your energy to make a positive contribution to the lives of those you touch. I hope that coming through these challenging final years has given you the strength to know that you can overcome anything life throws at you and emerge stronger and more prepared.

Remember the role that AISB played in helping you shape these qualities and the people and friends who helped you on your way. We are always here for you and hope you will come back and visit and let us know how you are getting on.

Good luck and thank you for leaving us with some fantastic memories!

Mr. Maclure

UNIVERSIT Y ACCEPTANCES

Class of 2022

AUSTRIA

Vienna University of Economics and Business

BELGIUM

Thomas More University College

CANADA

McGill University

McMaster University

Simon Fraser University

The University of British Columbia

University of Alberta

University of Guelph

University of Waterloo

York University

CHINA - HONG KONG SAR

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The University of Hong Kong

CROATIA

University of Zagreb

CZECH REPUBLIC

Anglo-American University

Charles University In Prague

FRANCE

Ecole de l'Image Les Gobelins

EDHEC Business School

ESSEC Business School

Lisaa - l'Institut Supérieur Des Arts Appliqués Sciences Po

GERMANY

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)

Cologne Business School

Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences

HUNGARY

Corvinus University

Eötvös Loránd University

IBS International Business School

IRELAND University College Dublin

ITALY

Florence Institute of Design International (fIDI) Polimoda

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Seoul National University

MONACO

International University of Monaco

MEXICO

Tecnológico de Monterrey

NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam University College

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Erasmus University College

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Fontys University of Applied Sciences

HZ University of Applied Sciences

Leiden University

Maastricht University

Radboud University

Technical University of Delft

Technical University of Eindhoven

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Tilburg University

University College Groningen

University College

Maastricht

University College Tilburg

University of Amsterdam

University of Groningen

University of Twente

Utrecht University

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Wageningen University

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Moscow State Institute of International Relations

SINGAPORE

Nanyang Technological University

National University of Singapore

SPAIN

European Business School Barcelona

IE University

Universidad Europea de Madrid

Vatel Madrid - International Hotel & Tourism Management School

SWITZERLAND

Business and Hotel Management School

EHL

Geneva School of Diplomacy

Glion Institute of Higher Education

UNITED KINGDOM

Abertay University

Bath Spa University

Bournemouth University

Buckinghamshire New University

City, University of London

De Montfort University

Durham University

Hult International Business School

Imperial College London

Keele University

King's College London

Lancaster University

Loughborough University

LSE-London School of Economics and Political Science

Richmond University London

Royal Holloway

SAE Institute

The University of Edinburgh

UCL-University College London

University of Bath

University of Birmingham

University of Brighton

University of Bristol

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

University of Leeds

University of Manchester

University of Nottingham

University of Reading

University of She eld

University of Southampton

University of St Andrews

University of Surrey

University of Sussex

University of Warwick

University of Westminster, London

University of York

UNITED STATES

American University

Augusta University

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brown University

Butler University

Colorado State University

Cooper Union

Elon University

Fairmont State University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Gonzaga University

Goucher College

James Madison University

Northeastern University

Ohio State University

Pratt Institute

Quinnipiac University

Rice University

San Diego State University

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of Visual Arts-New York

Syracuse University

Texas A & M University

The College of Wooster

Tufts University

University of Arizona

University of California-Davis

University of California-Irvine

University of California-Riverside

University of California-San Diego

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of La Verne

University of Maryland

University of North Carolina At Asheville

University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of Southern California

University of Tulsa

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wake Forest University

Western Colorado University

Wheaton College

William & Mary

York College of Pennsylvania

Pure Sailing

Laura Janssen (‘18) and Lotte Janssen (‘19) are young, passionate sisters who both have a degree in International Hospitality Management. They started to follow their dream during their university years and founded Pure Sailing, a Luxury Sailing Yacht Charter Service in Croatia.

Photos courtesy of Laura and Lotte Janssen

How do you remember your time at AISB?

Laura: I attended AISB from 1st until 12th grade, so there are a LOT of memories that come to mind. I always look back on AISB positively and cherish the time I had there. Particular memories that stick out for me are the after-school sports, where I always had fun competing in different tournaments. I also had the opportunity to travel to Senegal in Grades 11 and 12. These trips made a lasting impression on me.

Lotte: AISB has a special part in my heart, as I have spent over half of my life studying at this school. Even after attending AISB for 13 years, it never become boring, due to all the different sports, extracurricular clubs, and other activities provided. There was always something to look forward to, which sparked my curiosity to try all kinds of things. AISB is the foundation of my education and will forever remain a vibrant memory. Besides all of this, the teachers, staff, and students are what made AISB so special.

What was your favorite thing about being a part of AISB?

Laura: My favorite part of AISB is definitely the community. During our studies, we were always told ‘Once a Blazer, always a Blazer’. At the time, it was just a nice slogan, but now that I’ve graduated, I understand what it means. I love the way the AISB community is always there for each other. The international community at AISB has given me many friends from all around the world.

How did you get into the Sailing Business? Which of you had the idea?

Laura: Throughout our childhood, we have had multiple experiences with sailing, from sailing camp on Lake Balaton to renting a sailboat with our family during summer vacations. These memories stuck with us and made us look forward to our next sailing experiences. After graduating from AISB, both Lotte and I studied International Hospitality Management. By starting Pure

Sailing, we combined our passion for sailing with our knowledge of hospitality. Our businessoriented natures have inspired us to create our own yacht charter company and do it ourselves.

Tell us about Pure Sailing.

Lotte: Pure Sailing, in its essence, is a luxury sailboat charter company. However, we offer so much more than that. From the moment our guests get in contact with us, they start a journey. We really try to get to know our guests and understand how they envision their ideal vacation. Whether it’s their first time chartering a yacht or if they’re highly experienced sailors, we plan the trip to match their desires. Our mission is to create a fully personalized experience for whatever desires our clients might have. For a romantic getaway, family vacation, or business incentive, our team is at their disposal to fulfill their wishes. Unlike most charter companies, we have only one yacht in our fleet, which allows us to devote all our time to Onyx and our individual clients. That results in keen attention to detail and quality of service.

What were the biggest challenges?

Laura: For me, personally, the biggest challenge was building up to our first sailing season and the actual delivery of our boat. During this time, management was a challenge. While setting up the company and preparing everything for the sailing season, I was simultaneously completing my last semester at EHL. It was a struggle to balance Pure Sailing with my studies. This also meant I was in Lausanne, Lotte was in Marbella, and our company was in Croatia. Luckily we were able to solve the logistical issue with online meetings; however it was definitely a challenge to coordinate with everyone at the same time.

Lotte: In my experience, the biggest challenge was going through the stages of setting up our company without having previous experience. Every step we took was something new, something I had never done before. Even though we learned a lot in university about business plans, financial forecasting, and entrepreneurship, carrying out these tasks in real life and taking on the risk was a huge challenge for me. Luckily, our parents provided us with endless support, while we also had professional advisors guiding us through the process. Finally, when the Onyx was out of production and handed over to us, all the stress was relieved, and it made everything worth it.

What is Pure Sailing’s mission?

Laura: Our mission is to sail you into a world of freedom. When chartering the Onyx, our guests experience the freedom of creating their own adventure every day. Each day on board is different, with new destinations and new sailing conditions.

How did your education at AISB shape you?

Laura: I think one of the best ways AISB shaped me is through the international environment I was exposed to. This has helped me in my university and future career as I can get along with–and work with– everyone. I also think this has taught me to be aware of other perspectives and be openminded.

How does it feel to work with your sister?

Lotte: The best part is definitely that it’s brought us a lot closer. Working together with Laura motivates me to do my best every day. We have a lot of respect for each other, which makes it easy for us to work together. While both of us have the same passion for hospitality, we each have our own strengths and weaknesses. This made it quite straightforward about who takes the lead in each area within the company. Furthermore, as our bond is strong, we understand and trust each other. This makes it easy to voice our opinions and speak what we truly believe.

What’s your message to Blazers who are interested in starting their own business?

Laura: My advice would be to make as many connections as possible and talk to as many people as you can. When the idea for this company first came into our heads, Lotte and I traveled the coast of Croatia, speaking to industry professionals and trying to learn as much as possible. By doing this, we not only learned a lot but also made connections that are still valuable to us today.

Lotte: My advice would be to just do it. When starting Pure Sailing, Laura and I were both busy with university and had doubts about being able to manage everything. But in the end, it all worked out. I think that if you have an idea, something you are passionate about, then you shouldn’t let anything hold you back. It’s never too early to start your own venture.

What advice would you give to juniors and seniors at AISB?

Laura: Although it sounds clichéd, my advice would be to live in the moment. Looking back at high school, I often remember myself trying to figure out what to do after high school and worrying about future decisions.

Lotte: My advice is simple: don’t be shy. Throughout high school, I was quite a shy person who wouldn’t speak and preferred to stay in the background. During my time at university, I’ve slowly learned to overcome this trait, and now I feel like a different person. I’ve developed traits that make me a lot happier and more vibrant. I’ve learned the importance of self-confidence, which has made the biggest difference.

Try to describe yourself in 3 words.

Laura: Ambitious, innovative, energetic

Lotte: Positive, humble, driven

For more information on Pure Sailing, visit pure-sailing.eu

Photo courtesy of Stephen Hiltner

A homecoming more than 30 years in the making

Stephen Hiltner is an editor, writer, and photojournalist on the Travel desk at the New York Times. In 2022 he was named Travel Journalist of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers. He earned his Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. He joined The New York Times in 2016 after editing for six years at The Paris Review.

When I arrived in Budapest last April, I was daunted by my assignment. Traveling alone as a New York Times journalist, I was tasked with producing an ambitious photo essay that captured the essence of the city. I knew I had my work cut out for me.

But my trip was also a personal journey — a homecoming more than 30 years in the making.

In July of 1990, my parents uprooted my family from suburban Ohio and plunked us down in Budapest, a city that my then-4-year-old self had never heard of before. We — my dad, mom, elder brother and sister, grandmother, and I — were among the small number of Americans who moved to Hungary in the early years of its transition from communism to capitalism. (At the time my dad worked for General Electric, which had recently purchased Tungsram, the Hungarian light-bulb company).

It was an unlikely voyage for a middle-class Midwestern family. My parents, at that point, had barely left the United States, and the world, of course, was a dramatically different place: no cell phones, hardly any personal computers, no internet.

Without any easy ways of maintaining ties to the States, we tried at first to cling to what was familiar. On Thursday nights, in a space above the AISB’s lower school, then on Kakukk út, a group of families gathered under the banner of the American Club. We played basketball, scarfed down cheeseburgers, watched U.S. sporting events on satellite television. Other nights we’d trek from our house in the Buda hills to Blaha Lujza tér, in Pest, where a restaurant, Chicago Étterem, served dishes we knew how to pronounce.

Soon, though, we began to put down roots in Hungary. We traveled around the country — to Mátra in the north, to the Flower Carnival in Debrecen, to Szentendre. We started to learn the (famously impenetrable) language. We found a local piano teacher, Balázs Szokolay, who became a close family friend. We grew to love Hungarian cuisine, developing a preference for csiga over Oreos, gulyás over chowder, paprika over black pepper.

And in time we came to know Budapest with the same intimacy with which we knew Northeastern Ohio — to the point that, when we left Hungary in 1994, it felt once again like we were leaving our home.

Shortly after I arrived last year for my reporting stint, I began reconnecting with people from my childhood — with Laci, the fastidious man who drove my siblings and me to school each day; with Ms. Tracy, my kindergarten teacher whom I hadn’t seen in 30 years, and who happened to be on her own return trip to Budapest; with Balázs, our old piano teacher. I visited the new AISB — a beautiful and sprawling campus — on several occasions, to teach photography classes and to talk with graduating students about life after high school.

On a personal level, these moments made for some of the highlights of my three-month visit. But they also paved the way for me to meaningfully reconnect with a city I hadn’t known for three decades — and, as such, they greatly influenced my work. Laci, who picked me up from the airport, helped me get my initial bearings at my apartment near Rákóczi tér. Balázs and his family invited me to concerts that helped me develop a greater appreciation for Hungarian musical traditions. Lóránt Fabiny (‘11), an alumnus whom I met during a visit to AISB, connected me with Tas Tobias, a local writer whose recommendations proved invaluable.

In the end, my resulting 3,000-word photo essay, which ran on the front page of The New York Times’s international edition, was influenced in innumerable ways by my family’s history in Budapest. And it was ultimately my personal connections to the place — with family friends, with former teachers, and with an endless spring of indelible memories — that would make the work possible, and allow it to sing.

Enjoy Stephen’s Budapest photos throughout the magazine. You can follow his work on Instagram and Twitter.

Alumni Soccer Match

WORDS BY DOUG RUDNICKI, HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER PHOTOS BY ABEL BLANCO

When one thinks of human contact, the Second Law of Thermodynamics often comes to mind. This law posits that the universe tends toward chaos; since the Big Bang, the universe expands at an incredible rate of 72 kilometers per second. Thankfully, the Second Annual Maxime Leigh-Wood Memorial Alumni Football Match fundamentally breaks this stalwart scientific truth, is, in fact, a reversal of the Big Bang at a sub-particle level: Chaos is stilled as the globe shrinks to a football pitch.

And what was the Second Annual Maxime Leigh-Wood Memorial Alumni game but a reconnecting of body, mind, and soul, interactions that re-energized, reconnected, reconfigured who we are as both individuals and an AISB community.

On the south side of the football pitch, with a phalanx-like ensemble of red ML shirts– adorned by former players from as far back as 2004, positioned shoulderto-shoulder with players from as recent as graduating last year– stood the alumni team: bravado reborn. On the northside of the pitch, standing on the wide precipice of hope and optimism, stood the line of white MLW shirts, our current AISB varsity

football team. And in front, painted in the intangible colors of exuberance and endurance, from the brushes of eternity that are multi-age-children to the canvases of introspection that are 12 graders, spectated the 800 plus-student body.

With the opening ceremony’s words still written in the air– instructions, guidelines, jokes, and aphorisms to guide all those well-beyond this magical moment in time–the more than 40-peoplestrong opening handshakes commenced. And in that moment, the ever-growing time/space continuum paused. In a process of the Alchemist-like forging of gold, smiles were ignited, brief stories were retold, laughter mixed with passion, tossed with sparks of jest. Hands did not just touch hands. Atoms from all over the world, from different strata of time, were placed in the warm kiln of community. Family. Sport.

This humble recount of the event would be remiss in failing to give youth its due: the Current beat the Past, Team White beat Team Red, Present AISB defeated the alums. The speed and accuracy of youth outwitted the boisterous, complaining, diving theatrics of yesterday’s heroes. But they are not called heroes in mockery or jest. For the world is large and the AISB alumni are brave, weatherworn, and filled with the fire of redemption. Like the Phoenix, they will return, emboldened, for revenge.

And return alumni, do. A highlight of this Big Bang reversal was reconnecting with Aja Anderson (‘03, traveling from the US) and Julia Heltai (‘06, traveling from Australia), Alums who not only predate the Nagykovacsi campus, but who once embraced the beloved Alex Paduano (‘05). Alex won Nagykovacsi-campus’s first football championship in 2000. He also, recently, succumbed to cancer. My embrace of Julia was the sublime personified, for as she hugged me, I could feel a fleeting touch of Alex, for it was Julia’s hands that had carried Alex’s coffin to its grave. As much as Mr. and Mrs. Leigh-Wood’s and Otto’s (‘23) and Emil’s (‘21) impassioned opening words gave air to Maxime’s unforgettable voice, Julia’s embrace allowed me, for a brief moment, to feel Alex’s warmth a gentle repose to the chaos of life.

When the day was finished, we all left with our bellies filled with food, a little bit more love in our hearts, and a renewed understanding that we are, as Blazers, together even if we are apart.

Creativity and innovation in hospitality

Marton Vajda (‘03) is the owner/co-owner of many successful and well-known restaurants in Budapest. His creativity always brings something new, fresh and unique to the hospitality industry. In this interview, Marton reflects on his experiences at AISB and in his career.

Photos courtesy of Marton Vajda

You said that your years at AISB were one of the best times in your life. How was it different from the other schools you attended?

I came to AISB from a traditional, local school, so the atmosphere and attitudes at AISB were completely new to me. The cultural diversity of the school was something I appreciated throughout my years, and I made friends who are still–and probably forever will be–part of my life, though we don’t even live on the same continents anymore. I enjoyed AISB very much.

What is the most important decision you made in your early years after high school?

That’s a difficult question to answer. From a career point of view, I guess it was the decision not to attend university right away, but rather to become an intern at an advertising agency. The fact that I never stopped working at different jobs, even during my university years, made me an experienced young adult by the time I completed my studies. No one ever asked me what grades I had, but they could definitely sense the work experience I had.

Tell me about your career path.

At a very young age, I started competing at an international level in karate, and that earned me a scholarship at a British university. The dedication required to be on a national team is something I still benefit from. Especially since that dedication lasted over 25 years!

At 14, I began working as a cashier in the Jewish district of Budapest. I spent my summers there for the next four years, organizing and leading guided tours.

After high school, I took a year off to gain work experience and spent a year as an intern at the Young and Rubicam Agency. It was a very good and useful experience.

When I returned from university, I worked on a few interesting things at the same time. I organized The Jewish Summer Festival and subsequently became the Owner and Managing Director of the Festival. I also worked as a producer for TV shows aired on TV2 and was very much involved in the tourism development of the Jewish district.

In 2014, one of my old classmates from AISB, Rozina Wossala, asked if I’d be interested in a gastronomy project and connected me with the Mazel Tov restaurant owners. That is how my gastro path took off. Since then we became involved in quite a few exciting projects, which I can proudly say reshaped the nightlife and restaurant scene of Budapest. The ones I am most proud of are Mazel Tov, Tereza, Pontoon, Raqpart, Divino, Majomhoz, Normafa Síház, Fröccsterasz, and our latest, Badhanna.

What inspires you?

It inspires me to create and develop new things. I believe that through our projects we create new values and use tools – as simple as restaurants or bars – to communicate important ideas.

You were described in a Forbes interview as the coolest gastro-guy in Hungary. What makes you different from others in your field?

This title caught me by surprise, as I have no idea what makes a person cool in this field. In fact, I know many much cooler guys. But from the journalist’s angle, I suppose, he saw a relatively young guy enjoying life, riding a motorcycle and having a good relationship with his employees. I guess he was used to doing interviews with people in elegant outfits, in fancy offices. I just had a good chat

with him in a wonderful restaurant, Badhanna . That made me extra cool. :)

Are there any missed opportunities you wish you had leveraged?

To be honest, no, I don’t think so. I think the evolution of the company I’m building is good as it is. I’m happy with what I have accomplished so far. I have the most beautiful and loving family and a job I enjoy doing. I don’t think I missed out on anything.

How do you discover talents in others?

Great question, but I truly believe that there is talent in everyone. The real question is whether you can match the talent of a person with the job you require of them. We work with over 600 people, so managing talent and HR is quite a task for us. However, at a management level, we are quite strict about our expectations. For example, we can only address problems if the person raising the issue prepares hands-on solutions to tackle them as well. If there are no solutions, that given person is not right for that job.

What character traits do you look for in the people you hire and work with?

Most importantly, I am looking for self-sufficient, creative and fun people.

How do you generate new ideas?

New ideas are everywhere. However, in order to develop new projects, I need to distance myself from the projects I work on. I spend quality time with my kids and my dogs, and I am a hardcore mountain biker. In order to stay creative, it is vital for me to clear my head regularly.

One of our key values is well-being; how do you maintain a sense of well-being in your life?

I think the key to feeling well is understanding your own personal needs and the factors that create balance in your life. This is something that can only be learned through experience and honest self-reflection. You need to go over your limits every once in a while to see your personal boundaries. For me, my well-being is closely related to satisfying my physical, mental, and emotional needs–and making sure none of the above is pushed too far. My work is a great mental training tool. Mountain biking and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Ed.) are where I let off excess stress and energy. My family is where I find my emotional balance.

In this time of crisis, what is an example of resilience in the restaurant business?

I think that every challenge in life - and also in business - can be addressed by a certain level of resilience. Imagine a wooden stick without any resilience! It would break immediately under the

slightest pressure. The same is true for addressing personal challenges. We need to find new and unique solutions at times like these. As humans, we are the only species on the planet capable of planning and preparing scenarios based on past experiences. It is absolutely vital to plan possible scenarios for our near future, but it is also essential that these plans be resilient and therefore adjustable to the specific challenge we are facing. The restaurant business is the same in this regard. Prepare for the worst but always expect the best!

What’s your personal manifesto for balancing life and work?

Balance is very subjective. It depends on who you ask. And as I’ve said before, it’s something we need to create for ourselves. Aim for a certain balance you’re happy with, but accept the fact that sometimes it will not be perfect. But aim for the best.

What skills would you like to see schools build?

I think that most curriculums overlook the importance of generating experience and building self-confidence. I meet lots of people with a great education but with no experience whatsoever. I truly believe that almost any problem can be solved with the right attitude and solution-focused mentality, but this is not something schools typically address in the right way. I am also involved in training dogs (I know it sounds funny) and our training method is based on teaching through conflict. At every single training, we put the dogs and their owners into a certain level of conflict, just challenging enough to be solvable. Through the process, they are able to grow and understand each other better. I believe this is something current education should focus a lot more on. We need to expose this generation to more conflicts, let them find solutions, and let them grow. Teach them how to think and not what to think.

You have achieved a lot in your career. What have been some of the proudest moments in your life so far?

Thank you for that compliment. I don’t necessarily see it as a lot, but yes, there are some accomplishments I am very proud of. I am proud of all my projects. Mazel Tov, Tereza, Pontoon, Jewish Art Days, Badhanna, A Majomhoz, Divino, Normafa Síház, etc Each and every one of those projects has been a cornerstone in my career.

What is your life motto?

I have quite a few actually. One that I use a lot: if a problem can be solved with money, it’s not a problem. It’s an expense. Another: the only real mistake you can ever make is not correcting your mistakes.

What’s your favorite dish?

Potato Paprikas.

Stephen Hiltner Photograhy

WORDS BY MARC LAVOIE, STUDENT LIFE COORDIANTOR

My AISB Journey: A story still unfolding…

PHOTOS BY ADNAN FATHY

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to call AISB my home for the last twentyseven years. If you had told me in 1996 that I would still be here in 2022, I would have called you crazy and certifiable. I had every intention of spending a couple of years at AISB and returning to Canada to pursue other interests. Little did I know that day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year, I would fall deeply in love with this school and everything it stands for. Throughout the years, my job has blessed me with the opportunity to visit every CEESA school. And while there are many fine international schools out there...none is quite like this one. I have often asked myself why that is, and to be honest I still can’t completely answer that question. But there is something about the AISB community and its culture that sets it apart. Year after year, I have seen this community rise to every challenge and live its mission to the fullest extent possible. There is a deep culture of respect, making a difference, and change-making woven into the fabric of our community. Having been here for so long, I have come to understand the ways in which AISB continually shapes the character of our students.

Following our Alumni’s career paths and bearing witness to their achievements has been a singular honor. In my professional life, little gives me greater joy than seeing some of the aweinspiring successes that many of our alumni achieve. But what makes me even prouder is to see them live the AISB mission in their adult lives. Our alumni are an extraordinary and eclectic bunch defined by their kindness and willingness to be a force for good in a world that desperately needs it. At AISB, we foster international-mindedness and understanding, and we pursue that objective relentlessly. What other job can boast a community of sixty nationalities learning side by side while pursuing the mission of developing global citizenship and twenty-first-century leadership skills?

So why am I still here? What keeps me at AISB year after year? The answer is rather simple: AISB is a place where I feel valued and respected, a place where I have been given the opportunity to shape the future of a new generation of changemakers. The proof is in the pudding! Our recent work with the Ukrainian “Ukrainian Refugee Education Program” is a stellar example of the extraordinary power of collective action and community resiliency. Not only are we affecting the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian children, we are also providing an example to our student body of what it takes to be a force for peace and a beacon of hope in an otherwise dire situation.

I don’t know what my future will look like in a year. I tend to be someone who lives in the moment and doesn’t fret much about what comes next. What I do know is that my AISB Journey is not over.

Every day I walk through the doors of our school and feel as passionate and excited as I did in 1996.

Every day I count my blessings and thank my stars to be surrounded by such an incredible faculty.

Every day I feel honored to learn from our students, furthering my knowledge of their cultures and the rich diversity they bring to my life. I can’t imagine my life without AISB and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Ukrainian Refugee Support at AISB

WORDS BY MAGDALEN GRAY

PHOTOS BY PAUL CORFIELD

In February 2022, as AISB families were spending their ski break with family and friends, war began in neighboring Ukraine. Life changed overnight for millions of families, as the normality of safety was suddenly taken away from them. Millions were forced to leave their homes, part from fathers and grandparents, and cross borders to safety. Many of these refugees arrived in Hungary. Some headed further, but thousands made Hungary their temporary home. Helpers appeared at every train station and meeting point; others organized comprehensive support online. The scale of grass-root support— set up to respond immediately to the crisis—was heartwarming. The AISB community quickly mobilized into a hub of community help, and hundreds of displaced children and mothers were hosted and supported by our families.

On March 8, 2022, the ‘Ukrainian Refugee Education Program’, a school-within-a-school model, was established on the grounds of the AISB campus by volunteer educators. The program has served over 200 displaced children and continues to teach over 130 children in their home curriculum, while circumstances allow. A learning support class for children is currently being started.

This program arose from the sudden disruption of Ukrainian families and aligns closely with our school values of service and respect for home languages. Our response aimed to address the need for displaced Ukrainian children to be educated in their native language, using their national curriculum. The project quickly became a supportive, in-person community of friends and teachers. We currently run 11 classes delivered by qualified Ukrainian professionals, with over 120 children attending four after-school sessions a week. The UNHCR, UNICEF, and the Ukrainian Embassy have all visited and endorsed this program of hope.

When there is need, we help. If we can help, we believe we must.

Our continued goals are:

Maintaining and growing in-person learning for these children by Ukrainian professionals. Offering displaced families a safe and supportive environment.

Developing the confidence of the children to balance their daytime education within the Hungarian system.

Providing English and Hungarian language experiences for the children. Modeling a project and partnership to inspire similar mother-language support projects in the region.

Sharing our experiences through workshops and inspiration. Developing a partnership with leading educational institutions, thus making a difference that the world can benefit from.

For more information on this and our other ‘AISB Cares’ initiatives, please see our web page and follow us on social media. For ideas about how you can help/ contribute to this ongoing project, please contact Oksana Matviishyna matviishynaoksana@gmail.com

Please watch stories from our journey with this project on our YouTube playlist here.

We have launched a remembrance video ‘Mourning of the Twenty Fourth’ which was filmed by a community filmmaker and the students in our project, available to watch here.

Stephen Hiltner Photograhy

Resilience in a time of war

Esther Fridman (‘01) pursued Culture Studies in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she lived for 20 years until the invasion in 2022. She is an interior plantscape designer and plant care specialist. She is also co-founder of Plant Community Ukraine, which aims to connect plant lovers to organize plant swaps, educational programs, botanical tours, and workshops.

Photos courtesy of Esther Fridman

How do you remember AISB as a student?

I came to AISB in 1998 and it was a completely different world for me. Changing from a post-Soviet educational environment to such an open-minded and fulfilling one in Budapest was surely a blast. The school became a favorite place, I found friends for life there, and I’ll always be grateful for the way I could learn to understand and express myself.

How did your time at AISB influence your future life and career? Are there any teachers who you still remember as positive influencers in your life?

AISB was way ahead of what I was used to in 1990s Ukraine, as the approach to information and selfdevelopment was very advanced. My absolute favorite man was always Kevin Burns (English Lit., IB Theater Arts, film, life skills US History, Grade 10 English and TOK teacher - Ed.). Our Literature and Theatre Arts classes felt like we were always reading, discussing, learning to understand, and doing the most fun, interesting, and valuable things.

Can you please tell us more about your life before the invasion? How did you learn that the invasion had begun? What were your initial thoughts when you found out?

The news of the upcoming invasion was hard to process, especially because most people around me thought it was silly. So preparing for it or worrying about it was surrounded by a lot of guilt because it was stigmatized as paranoia and overreacting. On the morning of the 24th, my alarm rang very early for work and I saw missed calls from Faya’s dad–so I understood everything straight away. We hid in a summer house in a safer area 30 km away from Kyiv, yet the sounds of shaking glass from explosions and fear made us head to Hungary one week later. It wasn’t as hard for me as an adult to leave everything behind in search of safety as it was for my teenage daughter, who strongly identified with her friends, her room, her school and who was very afraid she would never see her dad and grandparents again. I was initially mostly worried and guilty. I tore her away from everything she knew and loved.

How were your first weeks in Hungary and at AISB?

Hungary was our Plan B. I was surrounded by love and support from my AISB friends straight away: we moved in with Melanija, Balazs helped with a job, and every mini-reunion with Lilla, Sandro, Victor, and Kevin Burns was a breath of fresh air. Melanija also helped me better understand what my daughter was going through, since she had just escaped as a teenager from bombings in

Serbia when we met in AISB in 1999. My daughter Faya started attending Ukrainian Refugee School at AISB and was happy to be surrounded by Ukrainians going through the same experiences, as well as a very supportive AISB community.

Your daughter, Faya, is currently a student at the Ukrainian Refugee Education Program. What were her first impressions? How does she like the school? How else is she continuing her education?

Faya met many favorite people thanks to the Ukrainian Refugee School - Miss Svitlana, Lana, Kim, and Magda. She was very inspired and became very motivated in her studies. I am amazed at how enormously her skills and attitude towards education improved and how full of determination she became. Faya is currently continuing her online studies at Kyiv school, going to AISB, and has received a scholarship for a university prep program at the ex-CEU.

It’s hard to be physically in one place while our minds are in another. How do you maintain a resilient mindset?

I’m a very optimistic person by nature. It’s usually easy for me to shift focus and do what I love. Yet no matter where we Ukrainians are in the world right now, our messengers show real-time news and sirens. We may be far from the epicenter of the war, living everyday reality in another peaceful country, yet war has become part of our identity forever. When the bad news is overwhelming and depressing, I stop checking my phone. Sleeping and hiking help a lot too. The hardest thing is finding a new aim and purpose here, especially because mine were so locally Ukrainian - building a Ukrainian community of plant lovers, organizing events, plant swaps, and tours in my country, as well as writing about places in Ukraine. When I came to Hungary, I felt paralyzed and empty inside: everything I considered my purpose was suddenly gone. I had my favorite job styling and caring for houseplants in Kyiv, and all my free time was dedicated to Plant Community Ukraine. Yet I continue my plant work here too and am on my way to building something fulfilling.

When was the last time you were in Ukraine? If it happened since the invasion, how was that experience?

I left Kyiv on the 24th and haven’t gone back. My daughter Faya is much braver and has visited family and friends three times already. I’m not ready yet to go back and hear sirens or air defense systems.

What are your hopes for the future?

Every Ukrainian person has one big hope right now, obviously. But I’m also hoping more nations in the world will become inspired by Ukrainians. I’m hoping they’ll learn to protest and fight for freedom, seek truth, and be fearless.

Any last thoughts or inspiration for our AISB Alumni community?

To not be scared of being unable to choose a life profession when graduating from school. To multitask your numerous interests and hobbies and do many, many random things you enjoy until everything combines into something you love the most. Then, whatever you did before won’t seem so random anymore.

ALUMNI REUNIONS RETURN

Amsterdam

Feb 19, 2022 Student Hotel City

The Amsterdam reunion was a fantastic night. Alumni from as early as 1994 and as late as 2021 were delighted to see each other, reconnect and make new connections with fellow Blazers. The atmosphere was friendly, warm and welcoming: everyone had smiles on their faces, in spite of the stormy weather. It was awesome that over 20 Blazers managed to come out despite the lastminute change of date, a true example of Blazer perseverance and love for the community we belong to. We’re already looking forward to the next Amsterdam alumni reunion.

London

Mar 18, 2022 Brown’s Covent Garden

The London alumni reunion at Brown’s restaurant in Covent Garden was an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, laughter, and nostalgia. The venue, a grand, old former Westminster County Court building was stunning and provided the perfect backdrop for catching up with old friends, reminiscing about old times, and making new memories. The atmosphere was lively and everyone was in high spirits, sharing stories, exchanging contact details, and making plans for future reunions. The food and drinks were top-notch, and the service was impeccable, making for a truly enjoyable evening. Overall, the London reunion was a huge success and we cannot wait to see you at the next one!

Budapest

May 27, 2022 on campus

An annual celebration, the Budapest alumni reunion is open to all alumni and their families. It always promises an evening of excellent company, lots of laughter, and, of course, good food and drinks. The latest reunion was one of our most highly attended events, with more than 100 alumni traveling from across the world to share the afternoon and evening together. It was lovely to see so many of you reunite, reconnect and reminisce about your time at AISB.

New York

October 21, 2022 Consulate General of Hungary

Over 30 alumni from the class of 1995 to 2021 converged on the Big Apple. The evening reception took place in the heart of Manhattan, at the Consulate General of Hungary. Beloved former teachers Ms. Helen Delamarter, Mr. Miklos Jalics, Mr. Charles Newman, and Mrs. Suzanne Newman were the guests of honor. The New York Reunion brought together alumni from New Jersey, Boston, Washington, Toronto, and of course New York. It was a happy event, filled with laughter and meaningful conversation. And when the reunion came to its inevitable close, many alumni continued the celebration at a nearby bar, unwilling to extinguish the flame of Blazer togetherness.

BLAZER NOTES

Raymond De Lang (‘97)

After graduating in ‘97 (best class ever;) I moved back home to the Netherlands. Studied culinary school and became a chef at a fancy hotel for a year, shortly after joined the Military service. Got married and had some kids, boys two of them. After 20 years of service being all I could be and working in the hotspots of the world, I was in for a change of pace. Wanting to be more at home for the family, I took a job in logistics FMCG, a couple of in-between jobs later I am now running as a plan manager at a high-end robotic operating and sorting postal company. Together with these robots and 150 workers, we make sure each postal package is delivered on time. 24/7.

Reka Nyari (‘97)

I will be releasing a new book in February you can order a copy at www.rekanyari.com, or on www. hemeria.com. You can also directly email me at reka@rekanyari.com

Katrina Olson (‘98)

I live with my wife and 2 daughters (ages 2, and 10 months) in New Haven, Connecticut USA. After 15 years of working in theatre, I pivoted to philanthropy, which has been a very rewarding journey.

Krista Hale (‘99)

After working many years licensing homes, case management, and quality assurance for a foster care agency followed by home health/hospice, I stepped into the world of hospitality. I was hired as a sales manager for a local Hilton hotel and moved into the director of sales role not long after. Here I am, 5 years later, and am now a dual-branded director of sales for both Hilton and Marriott with the opening of two new hotels in our quaint Texas town of Abilene. I am raising 2 fantastic and handsome young men, Evan and Ryan, and we keep busy between their sports, musical theatre, traveling, hanging with family, and playing with our 7-pound Chihuahua Bear.

Balazs Juszt (‘01)

Writing and producing TV series all around the world for premium providers like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon.

Tom Robertson (‘01)

Living and working in Northern Virginia with my wife and two kids!

Aja Mosley (‘03)

After graduation, I went to work where I met my husband and had two boys Anderson (named after Bret and Tobey Anderson) and Asher Douglas (named after Mr. Fayarchuk), soon after I quit my job, started running and traveling around America with my husband’s job and family. We settled into New Jersey and opened up two hair salons which were very successful, however, once my husband’s job moved my family to Minnesota I sold my business and have been enjoying time with my parents visiting often as well as time with my boys.

Chris Maclean (‘03)

At the moment I am coaching Basketball and teaching IB History, Global Politics, and Theory of Knowledge at an International School in Asia. After graduating from AISB, I studied in Canada and the UK and took a diverse career journey; working as a social entrepreneur in Southern Africa, a journalist with the United Nations in South East Asia and Southern Africa, and I spent some time serving in the Canadian military. I am also now husband to an Eastern European wife and a father of two children (a boy and a girl).

Sarah Rodley (‘04)

I’ve been working in travel for the last five years. In my company, I am a part of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion network, working to ensure an inclusive workplace. As part of this, I have been featured in the first episode of a new podcast, “Real Lives” which will cover stories, experiences, and opinions of people from all walks of life. The episode subject is Neurodiversity, centering on Autism, as my son is autistic. The podcast is coming out soon, and early previews have had an overwhelmingly positive response!

Prakhar Bisht (‘04)

I did not graduate at AISB, I have an eighth-grade diploma from the year 2000. Currently, I am teaching sociology to undergraduates.

Mireille Rack (‘05)

After graduating from AISB in 2005, I moved to England to study at Imperial College London. I studied Biology (BSc) and Environmental Science (MSc) before specialising in product sustainability through a PhD and working across academia, industry, international organisation, and consulting for the past ten years. In 2022 I started my MBA at the London Business School and currently live with my partner and dog outside London.

Tamas Molnar (‘08)

Real estate/hospitality

Megan Murray Woods (‘08)

I’ve been working as the Executive Director of CMC: Foundation for Change, an NYC-based non-profit dedicated to supporting families of people struggling with substance use disorders. When I’m not working, my husband Collin and I spend our time living in and renovating our old New England Victorian house in rural Massachusetts.

Stefan Dicker (‘12)

Venture Capital @ AWS Startups. I work with Startups in the ideation phase, just as they’re getting started. My team and I help them find customers, and investors, refine their products, and help them grow. It’s a great time to be in the startup business!

Tamas Forrai (‘12)

I am working as a digital marketing manager for EMEA, and digital consulting.

Josh Zheng (‘13)

I work in private equity and technology in Shenzhen.

Ella Luebbe

(‘16)

Jasmina Abboud (‘15)

Moved to London and working at Amazon in the Advertisement team.

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in May, I have since moved to Brooklyn, NY where I work at a farm-to-table catering company as a culinary administrative assistant. I’ve had a great time catching up with friends in the city and exploring the art scene! I look forward to getting to connect with the community more this year.

Vivien Ellinas (‘16)

After graduating from AISB in 2016, I moved to Amsterdam to attend Hotelschool The Hague. Not long after graduating from H.T.H. in 2020, I moved back to Budapest and started working in the family business. A couple of months later, I co-founded an animal rescue foundation based in Budapest, in which we foster, rehabilitate and find forever homes for stray dogs/ cats. In 2022 we have managed to rescue over 300 animals. My project for 2023 is to start my own company, with which I aim to radically improve animal welfare in Hungary!

Ron

Moshavi (‘16)

After dropping out of university, I took my underqualified talents and started working at a contract furniture company as an interior designer. Now I work for myself and make NFT projects as a digital artist together with my cousin Yossi who is also an AISB alumn, as well as continuing my work as a freelance interior designer. You don’t need a degree as long as you work hard and figure it out on your own.

Veronica Narbeshuber

(‘16)

After switching from Medicine to Psychology, I started working as a Sourcing Recruiter next to my studies. I am graduating this spring and starting my master’s degree in the fall. I’ve been traveling all over the world, visiting friends, finding new hobbies, and experiencing different cultures.

Sarah Martin (‘18)

Attending Grad School for Marriage and Family Therapy in San Diego.

Panna Veres (‘18)

Laura Janssen(‘18)

Having fun!

After graduating from AISB, I moved to Scotland and studied at the University of Glasgow for four years. While completing classes at Glasgow, I also spent a semester studying remotely at a French University. In 2022, I moved back to Budapest upon completion of my bachelor’s degree in French and Italian studies. I now work as a grade 4 Assistant Teacher at AISB.

Samuel Stalder(‘20)

I’ve just finished work on a couple of TV series that will release this year orchestrating and preparing music for them as part of a team in London. I’m allowed to say that one of them is going to be the last season of Endeavour featuring on ITV at the end of February!

Philipp Scheulen ‘(21)

Studying Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Heidelberg.

Hubert

Kos (‘22)

I competed in the swimming World and European Championships. I came 6th in the World and 1st in the European Championships.

Mark Elberfeld (former Middle School Teacher)

Former middle school faculty member Mark Elberfeld received a grant to attend the Artists and Writers Residency at Chateau d’Orquevaux in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France this coming July. When not writing, he is a corporate trainer for Aetna Insurance’s Employee Assistance Program.

Hilary Lockhart (former Grade 4 Teacher)

I am a former Grade 4 teacher and my son, Joe Lockhart graduated in 2013. I am getting married in May and Joe is getting married in October.

5 FACTORS TO RESILIENCE Counselor’s Corner

“WHEN WE LEARN HOW TO BECOME RESILIENT, WE LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE THE BEAUTIFULLY BROAD SPECTRUM OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.”

Jaeda Dewalt

It hurts. This is hard. I feel uncomfortable. I’m not sure I can do this. I feel sad, lost, uncertain, unstable

What if you knew that having these feelings was okay? What if feeling them means you are learning to cope with the challenges that life brings?

Resilience refers to both “the process and the outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences”, according to the definition from the American Psychological Association (APA). Resilience requires mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility, the ability to adjust to both internal and external demands. Managing difficult emotions, painful as they are, helps us to build resilience. It’s important to realize that resilience is a learned ability, a trait that grows over time – and one that often involves accepting support from others, as well as learning to tolerate discomfort. (Brene Brown)

Here are 5 factors that we know help build resilience:

Adaptability - Resilience has more to do with adaptability than stability. In ecology, for example, a plant shows resilience if it can grow and develop despite adverse circumstances, such as poor soil or scarcity of water. The same is true for people: our ability to bounce back from adversities, to reframe difficulties as growth opportunities and to successfully adapt to ever-changing life circumstances defines our level of resilience.

Purpose - Having clear goals and thinking ahead can instill confidence, direction and purpose. Sometimes we get impatient - we want instant gratification, instant success, and our goals to be met quickly. Purposeful goals, however, take time, energy, hard work and commitment, which means we can sometimes become frustrated and fail. We need to embrace these experiences as part of our journey and know that as we go forward - no matter how bumpy the road - we are moving closer to achieving those goals. Being uncomfortable and embracing disappointment leaves us more ready to embrace challenges and find success.

Optimism - It is important to look to the future with hope, understanding that things will work out – if you work on them. It’s easy to focus on what brings us down, but we need to shift our mindset and choose what make us happy and we are grateful for. Find the tools that work for you, like laughter, connection, love, nature and writing. Think about activities that have given you pleasant feelings in the past and creatively bring them into your life again.

Ownership - We need to OWN the choices and decisions we make, which means refusing to be passive and instead becoming active about situations causing us stress. We need to change our attitudes, reflect on our personalities and become oriented towards action. We need to show initiative and apply ourselves in in order to overcome an obstacle. Every time we leap over that obstacle, our resilience builds!

Social Connection - Research shows that our supportive social systems – which can include immediate or extended family, community, friends and organizations foster our resilience in times of crisis or trauma and support resilience in the individual (Everyday Health, July 2022). So be social, call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, meet up for a coffee instead of texting and enjoy time with others. Gather your social connections and build resilience!

No matter which of these 5 factors you choose over the coming weeks and months, remember that mental toughness helps us prosper. “Resilience is very different from being numb. Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But, you keep going.” (Yasmin Mogahed)

Erin Hawken, Pauline Davidson & Lylla Winzer, AISB HS Counselors

(Disclaimer: If you have been feeling intense negative emotions for two weeks or more, please talk to someone about it)

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