Inspiration
Newsletter 2017 | International School of Prague
ISP Newsletter 2017
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From the Director Comenius. With the topic of diversity and its societal impact ricocheting around the world these days, Comenius’ words are as relevant now as they were in the troubled times when he wrote them. The news we hear daily about the plight of refugees has galvanized and brought people together but it has also divided and instilled fear in others. In speaking with ISP parents, colleagues and students, I hear that this is certainly a topic on the minds of many in our community.
Welcome to the first edition of Inspiration Magazine of 2017! On display in the foyer of our school is an unusual and large wooden plaque. Decades old, it was found buried in an old storeroom a few years ago and almost forgotten. Carved across its surface are the following words: “We are all citizens of one world, we are all of one blood. To hate a man because he was born in another country, because he speaks a different language, or because he takes a different view on this subject or that, is a great folly. Desist, I implore you, for we are all equally human…. Let us have but one end in view, the welfare of humanity.” These words of wisdom were written in the 1600’s by the great Czech philosopher and educator, John Amos
When I think of our school’s great diversity, it fills me with pride. Each day I can observe our school’s values, Compassion, Integrity, Respect and Intercultural Understanding, on display throughout our community - whether it‘s one of our three year olds consoling a fellow student who is sad or one of our parent, teacher or student groups taking action to support others near and far. With over 60 nationalities, and a multitude of cultures, religions, beliefs and backgrounds, our community is a rich and colorful patchwork of diversity to be embraced, cherished and celebrated. Comenius would approve! The value placed on diversity by our community is vividly apparent in the feedback we received from the recent accreditation survey for parents, students, faculty, staff, board, and alumni, conducted by the Council of International Schools (CIS)/New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). A key theme that surfaced in the surveys is that ISP’s multicultural environment and global curriculum serves to nurture openminded young people. Here are just
a few parent and student comments from the survey:
ISP Students:
● The varieties of culture and ethnicities in the environment helps you broaden your mind about what you think about the world. ● This school does not judge you on your cultural differences. ● This school‘s community is very unique and everyone is supportive of each other. ● It is diverse, and you are immersed within a community that has different cultures. ● It gives me a more international background for my future.
ISP Parents:
● I believe the education and environment at ISP is teaching my children how to be global citizens in a way they could not achieve in a traditional school system. ● The international environment of the school with the diversity of countries & focus on experiences & development is very engaging for the child. ● Creates open minded inclusive kids that live and accept differences and changes ● ISP values every member of the community as an individual with unique gifts to be cultivated. It encourages everyone in the community to learn from everyone else. ● ISP is a school that lives by its mission to inspire engage and empower learners. Rest assured, ISP’s commitment to preparing our young people to “contribute responsibly to our changing
ISP Newsletter 2017
world” remains an imperative. We are also steadfast in our mission to provide an authentic global education, so that when our students leave ISP they are well equipped to become our future leaders, sharing and modelling our values. This edition of Inspiration magazine showcases some great examples of our Alumni from diverse backgrounds who are doing just that. I would like to take this opportunity to announce once more that I have happily accepted the Board’s offer to extend my contract until July of the academic year 2020-21. I am told, in our soon to be 70 years as a school (as of 2018), that I will be the longest serving head at ISP, as well as in the CEESA region. I am proud of all we have accomplished together over these past nine years and it is the thought of all we will accomplish over the coming years together that had a major impact on my decision to continue to serve as ISP Director. As you will have heard me say many times over the years, I believe ISP has a unique role to play as an innovator in international education. Given our leading role, I have found that the most exciting professional opportunities for me personally actually lie right here within our school. We have worked together during my tenure to ‘walk the talk‘ of our mission, to learn from and with each other and to push ourselves beyond the conventional school model, as we strive to provide ”an authentic global education.” Breaking out of the traditional mold is not an easy undertaking in any field, but is particularly challenging in schools. Nonetheless, I
firmly believe it is our responsibility to do so, as it is in the best interests of our students and their futures. It is my deep hope that we all keep in mind the words of Comenius, (a refugee
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himself!), proudly displayed as you enter ISP, “for the welfare of humanity.” Warmly and in diversity, Dr. Arnie Bieber,
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Truly Inspirational Dr. Jane Goodall’s Day at ISP “I do not believe that it’s too late. I believe there’s a window of time. I believe if we all get together and do our part that we can slow down climate change, that we can begin to restore the environment.” Dr. Jane Goodall at ISP December 12, 2016
In December 2016 ISP had the tremendous honour of hosting the internationally renowned British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall MBE. Dr. Goodall is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational visitors ISP has hosted in the school’s near 70 year history.
learning about her totemic life and work. Middle School students excelled in producing expertly designed posters, postcards and ‘peace poles’ for the visit - not forgetting an appropriately reworked ISP logo! Upper School Students also prepared through the organisation of various fundraising activities.
has been an inspiration to thousands of young people around the world. During the visit, all students in the Elementary, Middle and Upper Schools got the opportunity to directly hear from Dr. Goodall. Students from local Czech and other Prague-based international schools were also invited to share in this unique opportunity.
The visit was a keenly-anticipated one, with a range of preparations having taken place across ISP. The Elementary School prepared a special welcoming set of songs for the special guest after
Since 1986, Dr. Goodall has travelled nearly 300 days a year on a perpetual world speaking tour, visiting over 30 countries just last year alone. Dr. Goodall’s work and her unique vision
Dr. Goodall brought her message of environmental responsibility, the need to care for the animals of the world as well as for each other, to all ISP community members. She, of course,
ISP Newsletter 2017
spent most of her time with our young people, who represent the future of the planet. Dr. Goodall urged students to get involved with important causes and specifically with her signature program Roots and Shoots. This year Roots & Shoots is celebrating its 25th anniversary, with more than 150,000 members in over 130 countries, all working on local and global service projects. Dr Goodall had a strong message for ISP students: “We haven’t inherited our planet from
our parents, we’ve borrowed it from our children. If you’ve heard that, it’s not true. We haven’t borrowed your future, we’ve stolen it. And we’re still stealing it. Do not believe that it’s too late. I believe there’s a window of time. I believe if we all get together and do our part that we can slow down climate change, that we can begin to restore the environment.” ISP Director, Dr. Arnie Bieber, said, “Ultimately Dr. Goodall’s message is a message of hope. Her message is that if we are not apathetic and are willing
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to take action, we can make a positive difference in the world.” Jaye Shaer, ISP Librarian and chief organiser of the visit echoed these thoughts, commenting, “It really was an honour to be involved in working with Dr. Goodall’s Foundation and it was wonderful to see so many of our students at ISP being captivated watching such an inspiring speaker”. There are a number of activities already underway around the school in support of the Roots and Shoots Program aimed at creating a legacy from the visit. Inspiration will report on progress of these community projects in future editions.
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ISP Families
The Nam Family
A Recipe for Success - An ISP Family’s Journey The Nam family has a long standing relationship with ISP. Numerous members of the ISP Community are regular patrons of the family Korean restaurant Kimchi, which is located on Bělohorská in Prague 6. The family’s ties with ISP, however, run much deeper than the restaurant. The three Nam children, Karin (Jee-Eun, Class of ‘02) , Sophie (Jee-Hae, Class of ‘03) and Jason (Dong-Hyun, Class of ‘07) are all ISP Alumni, having attended the school at different times between 1993 and 2003. Mr Nam commented that all his children had fond memories of ISP, recalling that all three had described ISP as “a really nice and good school”. The Nam family’s Prague story began in 1993, when Mr. Nam’s job at Daewoo brought him to the Czech Republic, where he was swiftly joined by his family. At that time the Korean community wasn’t nearly as well established as it is the case now, when 8% of ISP students are Korean nationals. “We were one of the first Korean families in the Czech Republic and Korean television even did an article on us”, Mrs. Nam recalled, “now there are lots of Asians in Prague”. The Nams’ initial spell in Prague lasted until 1997 but it wasn’t long until the family was back in Prague, ultimately opening the restaurant in 2004. Given Mrs Nam’s previous career experience as a teacher, opening the restaurant was at the time something of a step into the unknown. However, she was confident at the time that the restaurant trade is in some ways a “very simple business” about making people happy. The ‘baby’ of the family, Jason, chipped in that it probably helped that, “Dad has the head for business and Mum knows exactly what to do in the
Jason and Mrs. Nam in the family restaurant in Prague in 2016
kitchen and how to deal with people”. This teamwork continues to characterise the family restaurant with Mrs Nam running the kitchen while Mr Nam oversees the front of house. The “simple” formula has been the secret of Kimchi‘s (which is named after a popular spicy Korean side dish) success. Mr Nam takes up the story, “At first it was a very simple menu and I used to apologise to customers and say that it‘s not restaurant food but food cooked the way we do for family. But looking back, this was exactly what people liked about the restaurant and why they come back. At the beginning we had
Jason and Mrs.Nam in the late 90‘s
mainly Asian, Japanese customers, who saw it as an authentic restaurant. Ten years on, fifty percent of our customers are Czech with a high proportion of international customers too”. Perhaps ironically, it can be argued that the Nam siblings’ educational paths are not characterised by the simplicity that is the hallmark of the restaurant’s success. The educational journeys have been all very successful, but perhaps a little more unorthodox than most. Jason for instance, is probably more than what is usually referred to as a “Third-culture kid”. He attended a total
ISP Newsletter 2017
of nine schools including ISP in diverse locations like China, Michigan and Pilsen. Jason’s sister Karin also attended numerous schools before heading to the United States to study at the esteemed Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Karin and Sophie both received Master’s Degrees in Education from Seoul National and Harvard Universities respectively. Both girls, who both received PhDs in Psychology, are now back in Korea. Karin works at Seoul National University providing counselling to foreigners, while Sophie is a professor of psychology at Handong University. Jason is now back living in Prague, and is particularly keen to rekindle and strengthen his relationship with his ISP alma mater. He landed back in Prague after studying architecture at Virginia Tech and teaching at the Harvard School of Design. Jason is now working in Prague in an advisory architectural capacity and has also established his own organisation, Design Disco. This is a nonprofit design educational organisation that facilitates the teaching of design to high school students in Prague. Jason has already held initial talks with ISP leadership about bringing his programme to the school. All the Nam children have retained a special place in their heart for their experiences at ISP. As Jason puts it, “ISP was my safe haven where my skin color or cultural background was not viewed as different and strange, but accepted and celebrated by my diverse group of friends”. This sense of diversity and acceptance has also been a key influence on Sophie, who recalled, “ISP was my first introduction to global citizenship. The formative experiences I had at ISP still influence who I am and how I live today“. Karin looks back on her time at ISP equally fondly, with particular focus on her teachers at ISP. “Above other things, I fondly remember teachers at ISP who accepted me unconditionally and took attentive care to discover seeds of talents in me”. ISP Inspiration would like to thank the Nam family for sharing their stories with the ISP Community.
Jason in fancy dress at ISP in 1997
Jason in his ISP class in the late 90‘s
Mr. and Mrs. Nam proudly display their daughter‘s diploma
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ISP Newsletter 2017
ISP Families
The Sybera Family Generation to Generation An ISP Family Dynasty Despite that school is approaching its 70th anniversary, even for ISP families it is fairly unusual for three generations of one family to have such close connections with the school as the Sybera family! Albin Sybera Sr. has now been involved in the governance of the school for a number of years and currently serves on ISP’s Building and Grounds Committee. Albin Sr and his wife Jana have sent all of their children to ISP, Albin Jr. (‘03), Adéla (‘06), Adam (‘11), Anežka (Grade 11), Amálie (Grade 9) and Teresie (Grade 6). Albin Jr and his wife Magdalena’s daughter Esther is the latest family member to begin an ISP journey, and is currently in PK4. Inspiration caught up with some of
the family to find out what ISP means to them. Albin Jr, who was joined by sisters Anežka and Amalie to talk about the school, takes up the story. “My dad first heard about ISP through one of his business contacts and he was always set on the idea of international, English speaking education for his kids. My dad spent important years in New York City, finished High School there and then studied at the City University of New York. Afterwards, his studies and work took him to Italy, then Austria. I suppose my Dad thought from those experiences that English is the language that crosses borders. We have to think about it in the context of the times too, the world was more divided then”. On Albin Jr’s arrival at ISP in 1999, everything at ISP seemed a bit different to his experiences at his previous Czech school. “It was a bit of a culture shock”, explained Albin Jr, “it seemed like a totally different way of education at first - probably because it was in many ways! The amount of homework was
Adam Sybera (the goalkeeper) and his Falcon‘s football team celebrate the victory in 2010
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much higher with more reading but it wasn’t about memorising stuff like I had been used to at Czech school. At ISP it was more focused on critical thinking”. Albin Jr. also recalled, “So settling in wasn’t easy at first and I suppose my parents looking back would agree! In saying that, once I got to Grade 10 I had started playing football and made some lifetime friends playing in a band called Gagarin Stoned (even though I was clearly the worst musician). From experience I think looking back that the cultural mix ultimately made me settle quicker in that to some extent more or less everyone in the school had come from a different education system. I really value the friendships I made at ISP and I am still often in touch with many of my classmates”. Starting at ISP was perhaps less of a transition for Albin’s sisters Anežka and Amálie, both of whom are current ISP Upper School students. Anežka
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Albin Sybera Jr. with his wife, children and sisters Anežka and Amálie together at ISP‘s recepton
attended Czech kindergarten and came to ISP in time for First Grade while Amalie started kindergarten at ISP. “I can’t really remember that well”, said Anežka, “but the big transition was writing I suppose as we didn’t do that in Kindergarten, but there was also a sense of freedom at ISP that came from having different teachers. It was obvious right away that there was a different attitude at the school”. “I think the attitude is a big thing”, chipped in Amálie, “we learned more or less right away that the school is all about having respect for other cultures, and that that attitude runs more or less throughout the school. There are so many different examples of families coming from different places that it makes sense to have this attitude. It’s kind of what the school is all about”. “We’re all the same when you think about it”, continued Anežka, “I think a lot of kids here go through the same experiences at ISP, it makes us have
a kind of shared mindset, there’s a certain energy that comes from being here”. Amálie added, “I think the school helps you think ‘we can do this’ - to have that kind of attitude”. She also thought however that ISP provided an education that made students worldly aware. “In 8th Grade we went on a trip to the Žatec Orphanage and I think that put everything into perspective. My family really supports us to do what we love to do and I think that is why we’re at ISP, because the school gives us the opportunity to do that. We’re lucky to have these opportunities”. Having had a longer experience at ISP than her elder siblings, Anežka commented that it seems a bit surreal sometimes to have progressed through the school. “As Elementary kids we watched our brother in the Upper School and it‘s kind of weird. As the little kids I suppose look up to us now”. On the topic of younger kids, the
youngest current member of the Sybera ISP clan also shared some of her experiences from Kindergarten. In keeping with the family theme, Esther told how she often writes letters in school telling her family members how much she loves them. Her favourite times at ISP are when she goes to the forest with her friends and they pick up leaves and sticks, as well as when they cook and bake. Concerning the Sybera siblings who are already ISP Alumni, Albin Jr studied at Carleton and Glasgow Universities and is currently in Prague kept busy by his three young children! Adéla is back in Prague having recently graduated last year from Notre Dame University, by way of Edinburgh and Webster Universities. Adam is currently studying law at the University of London, from where he is due to graduate in 2019. ISP Inspiration would like to thank the Sybera family for sharing their ISP story.
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International Food Fair
The International Food Fair 2017 was held on Saturday and is an event solely organised by the School Community Association (SCA). The Fair was an unqualified success, with such a buzz created by the many members of our diverse ISP Community present. Over 370 adults attended the event with many more children too!
The SCA asked Inspiration to express their thanks to all of our community members who were involved in making the event such a huge success! Particular thanks goes to the event organiser, Dorota Keleher, who was ably assisted by Yvonne Rep, in the leadership of the Fair.
This great event, of course, could not have happened without the collective efforts of so many within our community, but especially those of the teams who were directly involved in the event and served up some wonderfully diverse culinary treats! It is important to reiterate that the International Food Fair is wholly organised and ran by the SCA. All funds raised by the event, go directly to activities and events throughout the year which are organised by the SCA throughout the school year, such as the Middle School Dance and the Staff Appreciation Lunch. Everyone at ISP would like to relay thanks also to Soo Joo Bae who took several of the photos on these pages celebrating the event. Soo Joo takes fantastic photos and also creates slideshows and other media which she shares with the community throughout the school year! Soo Joo does does all photography entirely voluntarily as a gift to the ISP community and we are extremely grateful that she does!
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International Food Fair
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Cabaret 2017 February 11 saw the 19th Annual ISP Cabaret, held at Le Royal Theatre in Vinohrady. A wonderfully entertaining evening took place in support of the arts at ISP! Hosted by the irrepressible Nancy Braun, it is always rewarding to witness ISP’s in-house comedienne let loose. Ms Braun is enabled by the unique atmosphere at Cabaret to perhaps occupy slightly more risque territory than what we are used to in Nebušice. Some ISP Leadership Team members perhaps somewhat regretted their decision on the night when they chose to sit in the box seats at the front of Le Royal Theatre and bore the brunt of Ms Braun’s razor-sharp wit!
Strela Ahn
Cabaret showcased the talents within the Community - parents, students, faculty, staff and friends - which we are so fortunate to have. Special thanks to all performers, Nancy Braun and Juraj Benda and thanks also to all parents and friends of ISP who attended. Gratitude also to K-Servis and Fresh & Tasty for providing snacks and all the staff at Le Royal for assisting in making the night such a successful one. We await keenly what next year’s 20th anniversary Cabaret, discussions are already underway on the format of this established ISP tradition, which coincides with the school’s 70th anniversary.
Andrea Bartosova and Hugo Erenmalm
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Victor Blagoev, Kenji Osako, Hugo Erenmalm and MIke Perry
William Lobkowicz, Sophia Lobkowicz and Gwen Castillo
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ISP Newsletter  2017
Cabaret Sponsors
Steve Gleizer
Jan Trunecek
Filip Mican
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ISP Newsletter  2017
Rei Hosoda and Kenny Allen
Baktash Khamsehpour
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Alumni Reunion Party Saturday, April 22, 2017 This April will see the first Alumni Reunion Event to be held at our campus in Nebušice! The Spring Term of 2017 represents an important milestone in the school’s near sevendecade long history. Twenty years ago ISP moved from three campuses in the city - Valley, Hillside and Parkside - to our purpose built campus in Nebušice! These photos come from the ISP yearbook of 1996-97. Mr. Buck, the then ISP Director said, “I am confident that everyone will remember the ‚move‘ as exciting and noteworthy“. We are delighted to fulfil his prophetic words! What better time, therefore, to host an event that has dual goals - the reintroduction of ISP Alumni with the
school and providing an opportunity for Alumni to reconnect with classmates. There has been lots of interest in an event following an ISP reunion held in London in 2015 and there is great excitement from the School to welcome former students back to ISP! This reunion is being held also in anticipation of a special 2018 Anniversary Alumni weekend next year, which will celebrate seven decades of ISP! The event is for all Alumni (and their partners!) of any year - recent and not so recent - to spend time together. In line with a survey of Alumni, we have intentionally kept the Saturday daytime as free time to spend with classmates and other former students. The
Gordan Pajic (‘97) dropped into ISP to reflect on his 20 year old caricature
evening will swing into life, however, at 7pm when an ISP Reunion Party will be held at the Landau Theatre. There wil be a welcome address and drinks reception, live music, buffet, DJ and other surprises! The reunion will be followed by an optional after-party at a downtown venue! To register for the event is easy - there is an online form on the Alumni Reunion dedicated page on the ISP website or simply email advancement@isp.cz with any queries. We also encourage all ISP Alumni to like the dedicated Facebook page to keep in touch with the school and connect with classmates. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / InternationalSchoolofPragueAlumni/
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Prague-based ISP Alumni catch up at an informal get-together in November 2016
Shots from the 1996-97 yearbook documenting the move to Nebusice
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Class Notes Class of 2008 Larissa Batt Class Correspondent larissabatt@hotmail.co.uk
Hello ISP Community, Thank you very much to Stefan and Camille for sending in their updates for this edition – as always it’s very nice to hear from you, especially those who I don’t see on a regular basis and
therefore can’t emotionally blackmail into sending me an entry!! That’s a joke. Kind of. I am really enjoying being part of the Alumni Council and I’m very excited about all the developments we have going on. On a personal note, my husband and I are now homeowners, which for me is certainly the biggest news item in our lives since I last wrote. After Brexit a lot of properties came on the market
and many people were hesitant to buy so it meant we could get a competitive price... one silver lining on an otherwise big massive cloud?! Until next time, Larissa
Stefan Kovacevic A lot has happened since graduating at ISP, I moved back to Italy after graduation and then to London a couple of years ago. Initially I studied in Milan, completed my first year of university and decided to move to Turin; Milan is a dreadful city to live in. Eventually, I graduated in Business Administration in Turin in 2013. Finding a job that I liked in Italy proved to be very hard and after taking a “gap” year, I decided to move to London in 2015. Now I work as a partnership manager for One Young World, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to talent development. With OYW I have been in Bangkok last year and Ottawa this year. Now I am preparing the OYW Summit in Bogota.
Stefan and his team at OYW in Ottawa
Camille Dockery After leaving Prague, I moved to Virginia, where I graduated from George Mason High School. I then attended Brigham Young University in Utah where I was a Latin American Studies major, with a minor in History. During college, I interned at an engineering/consulting firm, Tetra Tech, as well as for the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
After university, I joined the office of Congressman Jim Matheson at the U.S. House of Representatives as a staff assistant and later, scheduler. In 2015, I returned to work at the U.S. Department of State. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Washington, DC, cheering on the Capitals (hockey), Nationals (baseball), and the Texas A&M Aggies (college football), travelling, biking, yoga, and reading.
ISP Newsletter 2017
Class of 2012 Dara Chermoeva Sophia Freckmann Class Correspondents
dara.chermoeva@hotmail.com 4sophiafreckmann@gmail.com
Milena Rivola Right after graduating ISP, I worked at the Rocco Forte hotel in Prague for several months to finance my escape to New York City where I was the most challenged I have ever been. Alone in the city, I struggled to find accommodation, spent a night on the street in February while money was getting tight. Eventually I found employment and worked two jobs to sustain myself, which made me realize I wanted to go to university. Subsequently I moved to Rome, Italy, where I attended an American university, completing a bachelor degree in Communications and Creative Writing, learned Italian, received an annual sports award for most persistent member of the gym, received a senior arts award for graphic design, and graduated at the top of my
class. I also studied abroad in Berlin, Germany where I obtained an diploma for C2 in the German language. In the meantime I became the head of the writing center, being responsible for editing and helping students write academically. Furthermore, I began working at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. After rejecting several job offers from the UN, I found a job at a PR agency immediately after graduating, which specializes in luxury travel and lifestyle. Three months later I went on my first business trip to Dubai, UAE and a week after my return I was promoted to Strategy Development Executive with 5 worldwide business trips in 2017.
After finishing ISP, I moved to Maastricht in the Netherlands and started by bachelors in International Business. As part of this program, I also studied half a year in Copenhagen before finishing the bachelors in the summer of 2015. Afterwards, I stayed in Maastricht for my Masters in Strategic Marketing which I completed last week. I worked for most of my masters and am now
Class of 2013 Bo Hitzert Class Correspondent
Ekavi Freckmann is currently working at a bar and saving money with plans to travel and hopefully take more University courses in the near future. She has contributed to the organization of various music events around Glasgow, many of which use their proceeds to fund local causes – most notably the opening of a mixed-gender night shelter in Glasgow and the continued support of a refugee camp in Calais. She volunteers in her free time and plans on returning to school to study Neuroscience or possibly intern at an animation studio.
Greetings from the class of 2013! This year has been a year of many changes and we are excited to share some of them with you through the November newsletter.
William Lobkowicz William Lobkowicz is in the midst of his junior year at Harvard. He continues to be involved with Model United Nations and Polo. He invites other members of the class to contact him at william@ lobkowicz.cz.
taking a few months off to do some travelling because hopefully finding a nice permanent job in marketing next year. I‘m still doing horseback riding and my horse lived in the Netherlands with me, for most of my studies. My parents unfortunately left Prague and are living in Antwerp, and sometimes in Munich, but I try to visit Prague from time to time.
Steffie Hornig
Ekavi Freckmann
bohitzert24@gmail.com
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Nicole Lim Nicole Lim is studying Envrinomental Science with a Computer Science and
Steffie Hornig‘s graduation
Biology double minor at New York University. She is currently interning at a hydroelectric company called Rentricity Inc. and will be graduating in May of 2017. In addition to her academic pursuits, Nicole is also a member of the Varsity Track and Field team.
Till Stackmann Till Stackmann is in his final year at Sheffield Hallam University, where he studies product design. He is in the process of applying to a Master’s program in Milan. He spent this past summer travelling through Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland.
Alexia Bossan Alexia Bossan is in her final year in the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Central Florida. She will
ISP Newsletter 2017
be applying to medical school in the spring after graduation. She hopes to take a year off before continuing with academics and would like to spend the time as a medical scribe. The research she has done for her honor’s thesis, which she is in the process of completing, will hopefully be published as well.
Klara Ovcackova Klara Ovcackova graduated from King’s College London in July with a Bachelor’s in European Politics. She is currently taking a gap year and works part-time as a telemarketer for the Czech NGO Clovek v tisni (People in Need). She also interns as a research assistant at the Institute of International Studies. This summer, she spent six weeks studying economics in Seoul, South Korea, and is planning to start her Master’s next year.
Kristian Voldrich Kristian Voldrich is studying Business Information Management at the Rotterdam School of Management. He is launching a new brand of wristwatches and exploring the possibility of providing student housing in Rotterdam. After he graduates, he would like to fully dedicate his time to his business ventures. He would also like to travel through Southeast Asia and South America.
Bo Hitzert
Lukas Borovicka is currently overseeing postproduction for his senior thesis film at Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduating, he would like to either stay in the United States for a year to work in the film industry or return to the Czech Republic to begin working as a producer/director. Bo and Filippo in Milan
Sara Hadzic graduated from Maastricht University with a degree in European Law and is currently interning at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague. She will be entering a Master’s program next year.
Lukas (on the right) with his friend Andy
Sara at her graduation
Thank you to the Class of 2013 for your updates. We look forward to hearing more.
Lukas Borovicka
Sara Hadzic
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Class of 2015 Mati Malvido Class Correspondent mati.malvido@gmail.com
Kseniia Miasnikova Kseniia Miasnikova has started her second year of studying Fashion Communication & New Media in Istituto Marangoni in Milan. She learned Italian and took part in several interesting events in the fashion industry, meeting a number of talented people. Kseniia also got a position of the contributory editor in “The Italian Eye“ online magazine — a platform that talks about travel, lifestyle and fashion. Moreover, she started her first own webpage called “Cappuccio Con Chic“, which is a blog where Kseniia posts her own articles on various different topics.
the South -Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes and Villa la Angostura- she’s very excited for this trip, especially since it will be summer in Argentina.
internships and working hard towards her degree. She is also traveling around Europe to visit her friends and family.
Paskal Atanasov Paskal Atanasov is currently in his second year studying at the Department of Photography at FAMU (Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague) which is one of the oldest photography departments in Europe founded in 1975. His most notable exhibition from 2016 was the FAMU exhibition “Praga è bella” in the Galleria del Centro Ceco di Milano. The photos selected for this exhibition were his work on the National Monument on Vitkov Hill.
Tea
Dan Nguyen Lucas Goegebeur Dan Nguyen and Lucas Goegebeur are both attending the University of Bristol Law School, currently in their second year of the LLB degree. On top of their core law subjects, Lucas is specializing in company law, medical law, and crime, justice and society, whilst Dan has opted for company law, comparative law, and Russian. In their spare time, Dan pursues art and Lucas plays football for Bristol University.
Kseniia
Delphine Holemans Delphine Holemans is in her second bachelor of her law studies at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. She’s enjoying her courses so far, and is also trying to engage more in extracurricular activities, such as the United Nations Youth and European Youth Parliament. On February 2017, she is planning a road trip around Argentina with a couple of friends, the plan is to go to
Paskal‘s photo of the National Monument on Vitkov Hill
Tea Matusinovic Tea Matusinovic is currently in her second year of Psychology at City University London. She is loving life in London and has made amazing friends. She is currently looking for summer
ISP Newsletter 2017
Class of 2016 Mariia Chykulay Class Correspondent
mandy.chykulay@gmail.com
Patrick Bunker Patrick Bunker is now enjoying his time studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University. “ISP really does seem a world away, but I definitely miss the international nature of it (and the early finishing time!)” .
Connecticut for 2 years which was a really cool experience because it was so different to what I was used to. It was weird living away from Prague because it was the first time I had lived outside of the Czech Republic. I graduated this past spring and I‘m currently taking a gap year to play junior hockey in Boston in hopes of getting an offer to play D1 hockey in college.
Jewon Yun (JJ) Jewon is now in South Korea and is excited to start his new university in March of 2017. Currently he is working to earn money until his school starts.
Emily Polasek
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of all the perks. In the next few years I wish to take more classes in combining design and technology like tech product design, and artificial intelligence.
Elya Mariutsa Elya is studying at Northeastern University in Boston for combined major of Political Science and International Affairs with concentration of International Relations and Diplomacy. She enjoys her leadership positions at her university and feels “extremely lucky and happy to be here, having an enormous amount of opportunities I am trying to take full advantage of”.
I‘m studying at the University of Saskatchewan and I‘m majoring in Health Studies for a Bachelor of Science degree. I go to Prague at least once a year and meet up with whoever is there at the time! I hope you guys are all doing well and are having a great year!!
Patrick Bunker
Alexander (Alex) Emborg
Elya Mariutsa
During his gap year Alex is very excited that he is able to take time and focus on making short films as well as writing scripts for longer bigger projects. He plans to travel during his gap year as well as do an internship.
Dominika Wydryzynska Dominika is most excited for the experience of having an internship at Prague Youth theatre as well as going to a university next year. She is currently working a couple of jobs during her gap year as well as the internship in Prague Youth Theatre.
Alex Kolowrat After ISP I went to prep school in
Carinna S. Velez Rodriguez
Emily Polasek
Ellie Dlouha I moved to New York City to study at Parsons school of design at the New School. I‘m majoring in design and technology, and minoring in business. I‘m really enjoying the fast pace of the city and the people, it really inspires me to take action. It‘s a really big city but it‘s important to take full advantage
I am most excited about learning how the machines that we use every day are operated and what it takes to produce them.Right now I‘m studying chemical engineering. I study at the Technical University of Munich. What I‘m really exited about is that I‘m studying in German, which is very different for me but at the same time very exciting.
Victoria (Tori) Kubena I‘m excited to move to New York city this winter. I‘m studying English at the University of Colorado Boulder. I‘m in uni but about to take a gap year to work and write.
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Woodard Hooper
Katerina (Katya) Kowalski
Rutger Hamel
I‘m currently a freshmen at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Since leaving ISP I‘ve lived in Australia, Seattle WA, and Massachusetts. I hope one day to make it back to Prague and be able to reconnect with all my ISP classmates.
What has been most exciting is coming to a new environment, meeting lots of new people with similar interests and studying what I love.Studying Psychology at the University of Bath. I‘m currently the first year Academic Representative for my course. I‘ve joined kickboxing and the debate society. Currently I‘m working towards getting a research assistant position in my department.
Rutger is currently studying Automotive and Transportation Design at Coventry University in the United Kingdom and he is very happy because he is finally able to do what he has wanted to do for years: design cars!
Mariia (Mania) Chykulay
Woodard Hooper
Mania is currently enjoying her time at Drew University in New Jersey studying International Relations with a focus in Chinese and Theatre. “I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to study at this school and I am excited to have my next fall semester at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City!” Mania is thankful that many of her classmates and ISP alumni are on the East Coast so it is easy to meet up.
Your Class Correspondents
1997 Martina Pomeroy pomeroy@unhcr.org Sinan Aka kuzensinan@yahoo.com 2000 Ben Groucott ben@groucott.com Evgenia Bukhantsova jboukhantsova@hotmail.com 2001 Gorana Renovica goranarenovica@gmail.com 2002 Melanie Wallinger jaga36@hotmail.com 2004 Seyitbek Usmanov usmanov.seyitbek@gmail.com 2005 Andrej Vukotic andrej.vukotic@gmail.com 2007 Daisy Hessenberger dhessenberger@gmail.com 2008 Larissa Batt larissabatt@hotmail.co.uk 2010 Katrien Wilmots katrien_wilmots@yahoo.com 2011 Zoey Hitzert zoey.hitzert@gmail.com Katie Hobkirk hobkirkk@gmail.com 2012 Dara Chermoeva dara.chermoeva@hotmail.com Sophia Freckmann 4sophiafreckmann@gmail.com 2013 Julien Mikton julien.mikton9@gmail.com Bo Hitzert bohitzert24@gmail.com 2014 Holli Demirel holli3demirel@hotmail.com Anna-Rosa Eerikäinen rosiefinland@gmail.com 2015 Mati Malvido mati.malvido@gmail.com 2016 Mariia Chykulay mandy.chykulay@gmail.com
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Michael Zeff - An Obituary Everyone at ISP was saddened to learn of the tragic early passing of ISP Alum, Michael Zeff (‘03). Michael was working as a journalist for the Jerusalem Post in his home country of Israel and was only 32 years old. Judging from the obituary below, which is an edited version of what appeared in the newspaper where Michael worked, he was a treasured colleague and friend. Michael’s former classmates from his time at ISP have also lost a valued and dear friend. Michael’s classmate Philip Valka said, “it‘s really tough to put Zeff‘s unique character, eccentricities, and impressions on his classmates into words. I‘d say that few people contributed more to the unique character of our class than Michael we all enjoyed his quick wit, his deep knowledge of literature and music, and his uncanny ability to stir trouble. Most importantly, Michael was a good person - a very loyal and caring friend to all, generous with his time & trust, and made a deep, lifelong impression on all his friends. Despite only spending a year in Prague, Michael remained a core part of our class, visiting several times a year, and always feeling at home in Prague among his classmates”. A group of Michael’s classmates are currently raising funds to erect a permanent memorial in Prague to celebrate his life. This is planned to be a memorial bench, most likely to be located at the New Jewish Cemetery in Prague. If you would like to donate to the memorial fund please contact PragueMemorialForZeff@gmail.com or use the paypal.me/ZeffPrague ISP sends deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former classmates and colleagues. Many thanks to Michael’s former colleague Zach Pyzer, who kindly granted permission for the use of his words.
The Last True Gentleman Michael Zeff - a man who personified talent and class, and whose gravitas beyond his years promised an illustrious future – was taken from those who loved and enjoyed him. In his 32 years, “the gentleman” – as Zeff was dubbed for his unique style and character – lived a cocktail of experiences, reflecting a cross section of the world’s flavors and complexities in his taste for clothes, music, film, literature and beverages – specifically smoky single malts. Born in Israel, Zeff was educated in schools across Europe, gaining the broad instruction and knack for languages which would form the bedrock of a stellar mind. He also had an ear for accents – distinctly British when speaking English – and the manner of speech which he would use to charm and disarm, impressing those he met with devastating wit. He received his BA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Italian Studies in the city he loved and contributed to as a citizen in every manner: professionally, politically, academically and perhaps above all culturally – as a connoisseur of the capital’s finer entertainment venues. Zeff continued at the Hebrew University, undertaking an MA in European Studies, choosing to pause his thesis while he recently joined The Jerusalem Post as the business and technology reporter. Editor-in-Chief Yaakov Katz said he will be remembered as “a creative and original writer. We will sorely miss him.” His interlocutors at the Model United Nations, however, saw his intellect in action consistently over many years, with his love of debate bringing him
honors, and taking him from training the Hebrew University branch all the way to being appointed secretarygeneral of the upcoming HolylandMUN (Model UN conference) in Jerusalem – an endeavor he undertook to introduce leaders of the next generation from around the world to his city. A good friend remembered him as “a philosopher at heart who mixed Victorian values with a love of Israel. Truly, a really decent human being.” Zeff was also involved in the World Union of Jewish Students. According to one colleague, he “showed WUJS and the world what it means to be a passionate, educated Jewish student leader. He was vocal, honest, and active in his support of those issues closest to his heart. Zeff always wore a smile, and brought with him a sense that even if he disagreed with you, he wanted your own arguments to be better, stronger and more honest. He empowered everyone he met. Be it with his wit, warmth, charm or an intellectual conversation, Zeff made all of us better through his presence.”
ISP Newsletter 2017
Thank you to all donors who have already helped us to raise 2.432.982 czk so far for the 2016-17 Annual Fund! If you haven’t yet joined other ISP supporters by making your Annual Fund donation (of any amount), there’s still time! To make your donation: By transfer: Account number 2112216446/2700 Account name: Friends of ISP, o.s. Or by Paypal using the email address advancement@isp.cz.
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ISP Newsletter 2017
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And do not miss! Student Raffle starts on Monday, March 27 RAFFLE tickets go on sale very soon! Students have the chance to win fantastic prizes while raising funds for Scholarships and Financial Aid at ISP.
and the winning tickets will be drawn by Dr. Bieber in the Cafeteria on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 3.15pm.
Please visit the ISP facebook and website to learn more on the RAFFLE PRIZES and our generous donors
Raffle tickets are CZK 50 each. There is no limit to the number of tickets an individual may purchase. The tickets will go on sale in the final week of March 2017 and will be available every morning in the Elementary School foyer, and in the Cafeteria every afternoon from 2.30 to 3.30pm. After purchasing the tickets, students can place them in boxes for each of the gifts which they are interested in. The gifts will be displayed in the Cafeteria every day. Last day of sale is Wednesday, April 5
Night at Sacré Coeur on Saturday, May 13 The International School of Prague presents the 7th Annual Fundraiser for Scholarships and Financial Aid. The showcase event of the ISP social calendar takes place at another new venue after last year’s “Night Under the Stars” at Manes Gallery. This year, for the gala event, the organising committee has selected the magnificent setting of Sacré Coeur, a former church near Anděl in Prague 5. (www.sacrecoeur.cz). Tickets go on sale in early April and will be publicised throughout the school, through Parent Contact and through the ISP Social Media Feeds. The entertainment for Night at Sacré Coeur is still being developed, and some of the programme will remain a secret until the night. Night at Sacré Coeur, however, promises to be a glittering evening with fine dining
provided by Zátiší Catering Group, Prague‘s finest caterers, confirmed. Also on the bill is St. Louis native and
fixture of the Prague DJ scene Jerome Big-Jay Hutchinson, who will take the party into the wee small hours!