World Magazine - Summer 2012

A M E R I C A N

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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SUMMER EDITION 2012

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Romanian Feature 2

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Peles Castle Sinaia, Romania Located in Sinaia (44 km from Brasov), Peles Castle is considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914.

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Director’s Message

Countdown to

50 Years

Alumni hold a special place in our school. AISB prepares students for the world of work, via university. We recently did a survey of our Alumni to determine whether AISB is meeting the needs of our students. Our Alumni reported back a resounding Yes! Over the years there have been hundreds of students who have graduated from our school and we are attempting to “reconnect with them.” I have heard some oral stories about school experiences of our alumni but we are also looking for old photos and written remembrances. We encourage you to write to us to answer a few short questions: 1. In one paragraph please let us know what AISB meant to you.

2. Do you have a favorite anecdote or story that you would be willing to share?

3. What do you remember about your experience in Romania?

4. Or send us your old pictures.

The school is having its 50th anniversary celebration on the weekend of September 1, 2012 and we invite all from near and far to attend. Along with our regular Saturday afternoon BBQ, the High School Boys and Girls Soccer teams are hoping you will join them in a challenge game on Saturday afternoon. That evening we will have a 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance.

On Sunday there will be a special Alumni Reunion Luncheon for all alumni. We are hoping to endorse a new Alumni constitution and receive nominations for Alumni Officers. Elsewhere in this magazine you will find a registration form, which is also on our website and will be posted on the AISB Alums Facebook page. Please consider attending to reconnect with your old friends and to see your old school.

And finally, would you be willing to join a group of illustrious alumni by sharing your life’s experience during our celebration? Would you be willing to speak to some of our elementary or high school students about what life was like during the days you attended AISB? If the answer is yes, please contact our alumni coordinator, Ms. Cristina Marcu at cmarcu@aisb.ro We hope to see you in September.

David Ottaviano, Ed.D. Director

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Luca Calinescu AISB Alumnus Class of 2007

R.I.P. LUCA CALINESCU 1988 - 2012 4

Luca Calinescu had a passion for film and theatre. He will be greatly missed.

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AISB Alumni Reunions bring together Alumni from around the world.

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EDITOR Lynn Wells CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Catalina Pieptea DESIGN AND TYPOGRAPHY Mario Zamfir Urban Design Associates

Interview with Susan Canobie IB DP Chemistry Teacher 2000-2007

ONLINE EDITION Urban Design Associates WORLD ALUMNI MAGAZINE Sos. Pipera Tunari 196 Com. Voluntari Jud. Ilfov Romania 077190 Tel.: 021 204-4300 Fax: 021 204-4384 Email: alumni@aisb.ro Web: aisb.ro/publication/world

CONTENTS 6

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS MULLER

Published by Design Works Publishing Co

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INTERVIEW WITH MOHAMMED MIRZA (2001)

Print Circulation: 1000 copies Electronic Circulation: 2000 copies

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INTERVIEW WITH SUHA YENIGUL (2002)

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STAY WITH ME!

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ALUMNI REUNIONS

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Interview

Chris Muller AISB Secondary School Principal 1996-2002

WM: Please share with us a little from your experience at AISB. I was Secondary School Principal at AISB from 1996 to 2002. It was an exciting time in the life of the school, and it was personally and professionally a hugely rewarding experience for me. It was my first principalship, and it taught me a lot about international education and the needs of internationally mobile students.

Romania was just coming out of a very dark period, and every year I was there, it seemed there were more opportunities, events, and most of all, colors in Bucharest. Our school became symbolic of this development, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the growth of AISB. We were housed in the beautiful Dorobanti palace, but with the rapid expansion of AISB, the new campus soon became a reality. I left in June 2002, 6 months after moving to the new campus, to be Principal at the United Nations International School on New York. Together with Fred Wesson, Gary Barr, an excellent bunch of educators, and a very supportive school community, we had built something unique and 6

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powerful, and it was time for a new group the take the school on its next phase of development.

WM: How would you compare your AISB experience with other schools?

Every school has its own mission, character and needs. AISB will always hold a very dear place in my heart, because it was so rewarding for me. I was there during an exciting time, and could watch the school and the country develop in new directions. That is always an inspiring process to share. It is hard to compare it to my other experiences, as each one is so unique.

WM: Do you have some interesting stories you’d like to share from when you were at AISB? Many, many stories, but I’m sure some folks would not take kindly to me printing them here…..They range from memorable interactions with students, teachers and parents, to truly Romanian experiences. I recall some unique graduation ceremonies at the US Ambassador’s residence, one of which had to be

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moved indoors because of rain, and graduates had to precariously pass by the indoor pool and over the diving board, to get their diplomas.

I vividly recall the difficult period when NATO forces were bombing Belgrade, and the mutually supportive and harmonious relationships of our diverse community were put to the test. But most of all, I recall the many interactions with students and parents that make the life of an educator so fulfilling.

WM: Are there any students you remember most? If yes, who and why?

We are fortunate to live in a time when social networks allow us to keep in touch and reconnect so easily. I am very happy to have struck up contact again with so many students who bring back fond memories of my life in Bucharest. Whether on Facebook or otherwise, I often think of Suha, Ivana, Giulia, Alex, Laci, Piko, Eden (RIP), Thomas, Ruxi, Chris, Raluca, Bogdan, Nassima, Alper, Christina, Marko and LOTS more. It’s odd how the memory of somebody pops up in the most unexpected moment.

WM: Where do you live now?

This is my fifth year as Director of the American International School of Lusaka in Zambia. Being African, I have enjoyed a beautiful school, the African space, the safaris and the people. But at the end of this school year I am leaving here to head up Bonn International School in Germany.

WM: How do you like being a school director?

you do it. It becomes a practical expression of embracing change and seeking new adventures.

I have lived seven lives so far. That’s because I have lived in that many countries. Lived, made friends, and discovered, not just visited.

WM: Do you have any special memories about the Class of 2001?

After over 30 years in education, I have experienced many graduations, each of which has special moments and special individuals graduating. I don’t have a list of 2001 graduates, but if I had, I know that the names would unleash a flood of happy memories.

WM: What would you like to tell our current students?

While it may not seem immediately evident, cherish the opportunities you are being given, and use them to improve the world.

WM: What would you like to say to our alumni?

To those who I was fortunate to work with, you have made my life a fulfilled series of adventures and learning experiences for which I am thankful. Your success is of your own making. I hope you recognize the positive influence that AISB and its community had in the process. I look forward to seeing many of you at the reunion later this year.

Chris Muller Director International School of Lusaka

©AISB PHOTO ARCHIVE 2000

I am truly fortunate to be one those people who goes to work excited and happy every day.

International schools present such an interesting challenge to shape future global leaders – people who have a proud heritage but are able to look and operate beyond their national confines. From what I hear, it seems rare for past AISB students to operate only in one country. Their lives, and often their businesses continue internationally. Whether consciously or subconsciously, the experience of growing up and understanding peers from diverse national, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, has an impact on every graduate.

WM: How do you feel about the challenge of moving to new places?

The prospect of moving becomes more daunting every time, but when you get to the other end, and a new life begins, you realize why AISB ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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Interview Mohammed Mirza Class of 2001

AISB Alumnus Class of 2001 WM: What impact did AISB have on your life?

AISB provided me with an education that allowed me to pursue my own path. I believe that was through encouraging critical thinking. We were always encouraged to read up on topics and formulate our own opinions and back them up with reliable references. This helped me a lot with thinking on my own and formulating my own decisions rather than follow a certain standard. This is the method I followed in my

jobs with the World Economic Forum, His Majesty King Abdullah II’s office and now with my newly established sports entertainment start-up: X-Sports Management. Additionally, AISB along with my Father’s career as a Diplomat provided me with a better understanding and cooperation with people from different cultures. This facilitated transactions and negotiations with people from differing cultures and made me an asset to all organizations I was engaged with.

WM: What did you do after graduating AISB? Since graduating from AISB I returned to Jordan 8

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to strengthen my Arabic Language and attended the Amman Private University. I then moved on to the New York Institue of Technology and graduated from there in 2006 with a BA in Business Administation. While in NYIT I also worked with the World Economic Forum on a project basis by providing services in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland and the Middle East Summit in Dead Sea, Jordan and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt - this started in 2003 until 2007.

Meanwhile I competed internationally in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a sport my brother introcuded to Jordan and established a Federation and one of the leading Martial Art Academies in the Middle East. In 2007 I competed in the World Championships of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Los Angeles California and was one advantage short of getting a medal. Unfortunately I lost in the quarter finals. Between 2007 and 2008 I trained the Jordanian Army in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and war combat for one year. A project that my brother headed and I assisted with shortly before moving on. In 2008 I was recruited by

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the Royal Hashemite Court (His Majesty King Abdullah II’s office) in the Multilateral Initiatives Unit that oversaw cooperation with international institutions in Jordan. I am still an employee in the Royal Hashemite Court as an Economic Researcher. However, I have taken a one year sabbatical leave to pursue a Masters Degree in Sports Management from Loughborough University in England.

This Masters compliments a newly established start-up I run called X-Sports Management, which runs the first and only Arab Mixed Martial Arts league - Desert Force MMA Championship.

X-Sports management has already run 4 events in the middle east and manages the best Arab MMA fighters. My near future probably has XSports Management FULL TIME written all over it, so its a very exciting time for me since I am pursuing a passion that began with my brother and very close friends.

WM: Do you have memories about a specific teacher or special moments at AISB? Wow! I have several!! I recall teachers that left a lasting impression on me and I still remember many words of wisdom they passed to me.

Teachers like Mr. Joe Garbley and Mr. Mark Elliot. They pushed their students to the max and gave us great responsibilities; this was definately something I felt made us grow as individuals.

All the sport competitions we traveled to were great memories, along with MUN... great times!

WM: Where do you live and what are you doing now?

I am between Jordan and England at the moment, working on the new start-up: X-Sports Management and its brand Desert Force MMA Championships. I’m getting my Masters degree from Loughborough University. This easter break I returned to Jordan for Desert Force IV and our team has successfully managed our most ambitious event so far... as I said, very exciting times for us!

WM: What would you like to tell our current students?

I would like to tell all AISB students to become sponges and soak as much as they can from the surroundings they are in as that will be the most important pillar in their lives for the future.

Everything you learn, meet, see and discuss in your years in AISB will mold you into the individual you will become. Try, from now, to expose yourself to the things that you want yourself to be apt to. Meaning, if you would like to become a Public Relations person for a top corporation, start from now by listening to everyone’s opinion and learning from it... Every little “hanging out” session and discussion can teach you something valuable for the future. Life is a lot like High School, but comes with more responsibilities, so train yourself from now in becoming the person you wish to be. Start from now in getting to know your parents as friends rather than just Parents. Start from now in being nice to the people you think aren’t your type as you never know how much you’ll need them in the future...

Everyone in your life right now is contributing to who you will become!

WM: What would you like to say to our alumni?

Class of 2001 - you guys ROCK! I miss you all and I use a bit of every one of you in my day-today activities. Every one of you has contributed immensely in several different ways to what or who I have become... I thank you all for being part of my life and thank you AISB for letting me be part of this great institution!

WM: Do you think you’ll be able to come for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations September 1-2, 2012?

I most certainly hope so. With the number of events our start-up is managing, I really don’t know where I’ll be in two months. My Master’s degree and X-Sports management come first in my priorities, but hopefully, I will be able to come and visit AISB for the 50th Anniversary! In fifty years AISB has grown from two little campuses in downtown Bucharest to the splendid Campus there is now in the outskirts, and I hope to see AISB grow even more and more and mold young adults such as the students there now, into creative independent contributors to the world.

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Interview Suha Yenigul Class of 2002

AISB Alumnus Class of 2002 WM: Where did you study after graduating from AISB? I graduated from ASE Business Administration and International Relationship. I took some courses in relation to project management, negotiations, etc.

WM: What is the career path you have chosen?

I started working when I was in 12th grade in a service provider company as an assistant project manager and as a card embossing operator, embossing credit and debit cards for financial institution in accordance with Visa and MasterCard regulations. When I finished high school and entered university I opened up an advertising agency, which went great since in a year and a half I sold it and opened a better one. Around the last year of university, aside from preparing for the final exams, licenta, and such I was managing my mother’s restaurant, my advertising agency, and school.

I had a choice of either dropping school at the last year or dropping everything else to graduate since the principle of the university simply didn’t enjoy the company of Turkish people so they obligated me to attend each course to be able to graduate. So I sold the agency, gave the restaurant back to my mother, and locked myself in the house and studied. (I was never a good student: Mrs. Suma, Mr. Muller, Mr. Elliot and any other teacher I had in AISB can tell you that! I was the only student who was sent to the principal’s office more times than we had classes in one day! Mr. Muller would say “Suha is the only kid who can probably get away from murder in ASB!”) Anyway, after graduating university my father asked me to work for a corporate company 10

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before thinking to begin my own thing again. So I worked 2 years in CEB Credit Europe Bank, got promoted 3 times, completed projects such as statement migration, silver business card, outsourcing the embossing activity, merchant migration, and such long before the deadlines!

Unfortunately there was no salary raise so I thanked everyone and handed in my resignation. After that I opened an information verification company which utilized retired cops to locate debtors from older profiles of banks, collection and leasing companies. Overall I located 75% of the debtors from profiles which were 5-7 years old. Unfortunately, it was the crisis and relocated debtors were broke and my services were just an extra cost for my clients. I closed up the office, took a couple of months break, and started working in our family business.

WM: Where in the world are you right now and what are your plans for the future?

I am in Bucharest but I travel a lot throughout the Balkans to keep up with our clients and explore potential new clients. I also travel to Turkey a lot since my family is there and because I race in the UIM World 225 Powerboat Championship.

WM: We are interested to see a glimpse of your lives - are you married, do you have kids, how many, etc.?

I am getting married on June 23rd. We have been together for about 10 years so I don’t assume much will change. I am looking forward to having kids, since it will be interesting growing up with them. I am and always will be a kid at heart but I have a feeling my kids might change that.

Lets see, I race powerboats and I will race in a classic rally championship next year, also I

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raced Go Karts before. I skateboard, snowboard, wakeboard, surf, base-jump, paraglide, etc. I love to jump off high places and as you can imagine I love the adrenaline one gets from these sort of activities. Mr. Elliot said at our graduation in front of the whole school and my family “Suha is most likely to have his own hemp wear shops, and the slogan will be that “The sales are on fire!” I spoke to Mr. Elliott last year he was quite happy that he was wrong about his assumption!

I have so many stories but I guess some should be kept private. On my first day of school in 6th grade I didn’t speak a word of English. Mr. Hedger made Lex Mulder responsible for showing me the school. When we were in front of the school where the older kids were Lex punched me in the stomach, I guess just to show off in front of everyone. Unfortunately for him he didn’t know where I came from and what we did for fun, so I beat him up pretty good until the teachers took him from me. They asked me what happened, knowing the way Lex was I guess, and I basically used my hands to show them that he punched me first. He got detention and I got a pat on the back from the older kids.

ASB was like a second family for me since both my parents were working super hard. Mr. Muller knew that if my father or my mother had to stop whatever they were doing to attend to what I did that week, I would get a nice beating at the end. So he did everything in his power to keep things away from them. I have no idea the exact amount of exams I had to take in Mr. Muller’s office rather than in class due to teachers kicking me out.

So many great memories. My sister went to AISB after I graduated and from what I saw, things were not the same like they were in our generation. We were more united and we didn’t discriminate against anyone. What people wore was never an issue and we helped each other out in every aspect possible.

Interview Anubhav Mohan Class of 2001

WM: Where did you study after graduating from AISB? Did you finish college / university or are you still studying?

I went to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA after graduating from AISB. I intended to major in PreEngineering with a focus on Physics, but changed my mind during my first year. I decided to still major in Physics but I added a second major, Music Theory and a minor, Astronomy to the list. Not having studied music previously in my life, it was challenging but very fulfilling. I graduated with a B.S. in May of 2011.

WM: If you graduated from college, what is the career path you chose for your future?

A lot of things happened since graduating college, I volunteered for a while doing business development and marketing for a few organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. After that portion, together with my fellow student from AISB, Andrei Harnagea, we started a new company. It is called Barrel Cat Productions (Barrel Cat, LLC) and it focuses on film & animation production. I took care of operations and of the sound/audio production division. Along with that, I spent two months in New Jersey working as a programmer analyst for a small IT consulting firm, after which I returned to San Francisco to focus some more on Barrel Cat. Since January 2012, I have been working at an acoustics and vibrations consulting firm called Vibro-Acoustic Consultants as an Engineering Technician, and contributing to Barrel Cat on the side.

©AISB PHOTO ARCHIVE 2000

WM: Where in the world are you right now and what are your plans for the future?

Although I have been working in the Bay Area for a while, my future plans are to go to graduate school in mechanical engineering, which I should be doing starting this Fall. I’m unsure which school I will end up at, but there is an almost 99% chance that I will be going to University of Florida to get an M.S. Ideally, after my master’s degree, I will work at a company in the US, focusing on engineering product design or structural modeling and analysis.

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Stay With Me! “Buna! Sunt Catalin!” Standing in the theater classroom at school, I heard a husky little voice announce his name in Romanian. I looked down at a face full of freckles and combed amber hair. In front of me was a six-year-old boy with a toothy grin and shining eyes. His outfit, comprised of a white shirt, black blazer and blue jeans rendered the sight of him rather endearing.

This complete stranger wrapped his warm little arms around my legs. Catalin was one of thirty other Romanian children invited to the American International School of Bucharest that afternoon for a Christmas party. A dozen classmates and I had been volunteering with Romanian Children‘s Relief, a non-governmental organization aimed at helping Romanian families and children living in dire circumstances such as poverty and abandonment. Many of the wide-eyed children at our school had traveled over dirt roads from their homes in orphanages or small villages, with limited living space and no running water.

While these children only traveled an hour or so, our school was worlds away from the Romania they knew.

I could tell the warm classrooms, paper snowflakes taped across windows, and glistening Christmas tree sparked immense curiosity within Catalin. Yet I couldn‘t begin to comprehend the situation and background of these children, overlooked by Romanian society because of their ethnicity or lifestyle. Catalin‘s circumstances were as complex as the pattern woven in Romania‘s traditional textiles. Though curious, my questions would have been an intruding needle, pulling out the pattern‘s yarn just to analyze his situation. Instead, I simply took comfort in knowing that for this one afternoon, he would be able to enjoy Christmas as any child should. It was a moment of sheer serendipity when smiling Catalin stomped towards me on his little legs to announce his name.

The weekend before, each member of our volunteer group bought snow boots, small toys and sweets for one child who would visit. While shopping, I had carried a small piece of paper with Catalin‘s name on it, not knowing that a week later, he would find me first and embrace 12

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me before he even learned my name. The week before we met was proving to be the typical week of any busy junior in high school. I was exhausted, overworked and counting down the days until the liberating dismissal for winter break. Meeting Catalin pulled me away from myself, and my notions of what being a Foreign Service teenager was about. I was able to look beyond the privileges of traveling and attending an international school.

I realized that as a young diplomat, my focus should be on service and connecting with those in my host country outside of the expat community—the real Romania. Amidst crayons and cookies, Catalin and I became inseparable.

As the time rapidly unraveled, I heard Catalin‘s soft, irresistible pleas: “Stai cu mine, stai cu mine!” “Stay with me, stay with me.” In spite of a limited Romanian vocabulary, I understood his request. I stayed with him for as long as I could.

Growing up overseas, nearly every country or city in which I live seems to plead the same: “Stai cu mine! Stay with me!” I heard it in the deep clanging temple bells of Japan, and in the chatter of tropical birds in Australia. I saw it in the waves lapping onto stretches of coastline, sending salty messages to my destination over oceans. I wish I could fulfill this plea, but the rumble of a jet plane and the bitter scent of cardboard boxes stacked in a hallway beckon me to leave. How can I leave a place that is pleading for me to stay? How can I say farewell to new friends who change my perspective and inspire me? To have time cut so cruelly short?

Yet, if I had not left the comfort of my previous homes, I would have never met Catalin.

Leaving means new opportunities and experiences. It doesn‘t have to mean abandonment. Instead, leaving provides the possibility of reunion, and the joy that comes with it. Upon returning to such people and places, this joy causes you to wonder if you ever truly left at all. There is no need to plead ‘stay with me‘, if what you give to others will stay with them.

Nora Kirkham Class of 2012

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Fifty years ago, a few dedicated people had a dream: to create a quality, English language school in Bucharest. Their vision formed the foundation of the American School of Bucharest in 1962 when ASB welcomed its first students. These past 50 years have taken us on an exciting journey and led us to become one of the most respected schools in the region, if not the world.

We invite you to join us as we prepare, engage and inspire tomorrow’s leaders for the next 5o Years and Beyond.

Schedule of Events: Saturday, 1 September

Saturday, 1 September

50th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration in

Saturday Evening

Central Park

Dinner Dance “under the stars”

• 11:00-14:30: Opening Events • Music & entertainment • Food & drinks

Sunday, 2 September

• Opening of the 5 “Decade Tents”

• 13:00 - Alumni Reunion & Luncheon (details on Alumni Facebook page: AISB Alums)

• Opening of the 1962 “Time Capsule” • Special surprise guests • 15:00-16:30: Soccer Match

Alumni vs. Varsity

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BUCHAREST 2004 BUCHAREST 2008

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Walk down memory lane

Alumni Reunions NEW YORK 2007

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LONDON 2011 BUCHAREST 2010

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LONDON 2010

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Interview

Susan Canobie IB Chemistry Teacher 2000 - 2007

WM: What are your fondest memories of AISB? Most of my memories involve the people I met whilst at AISB, where there was laughter, a lot of work with some of the most creative people I have met in my career.

Community service programs that regularly reached out to Bucharest, Romania and beyond Tuesday afternoons at Victor Babes Hospital My favourite days of the year were International Day, Children’s Day where you really felt like you were part of a community.

CEESA tournaments, when we really felt like a family. Especially that first basketball tournament in 2002 in the new gym and there was not a vacant seat on the bleachers.

Wonderful chemistry students who made me smile every day. Murray Smith, Matt Popovich,

Raluca Paraschivescu and Andrew Nicholson who made me laugh every day.

Various chats with Peter Born about anything that came to mind and always trying to live up to Marilyn Chapman’s expectations.

Secretive random tasty order-in lunches in my office (that didn’t become so secret after a while) and having BBQ’s for any reason, just because we could.

WM: What is it like to have such an international experience? Can you “draw” a map of your travels?

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Wow, this is a hard question to answer... it is so enriching to meet such interesting people of such different backgrounds all with their own story to tell... and the result of such experiences forces you to question your own assumptions, values and perspectives.

A map of my travels is tricky but a map of international teaching life begins in Australia, to Spain, to the Philippines, to Romania, to Switzerland and soon to be in Syria.

I remember buying the book “The World’s Most Dangerous Places” to discover travel destinations, but no one would join me on these adventures. I adore travelling to quirky places and picking up the odd carpet, discovering funky restaurants and learning about cultures.

Everyone should travel to Tibet and eat yak dumplings washed down with yak butter tea.

WM: Where do you live now? Are you still teaching?

I live currently live in Zug, Switzerland, working at the International School of Zug & Luzern as the High School Assistant Principal. This will only be until June as I have accepted the position of Secondary School Principal at the ICARDA International School of Aleppo, Syria.

WM: How do you feel about the challenge of moving to a new place?

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Susan Canobie pictured with Class of 2007 on an outdoor ed trip.

I love the challenge of moving to a new place. The experience of new places to discover, people to meet, restaurants to try, cultures to experience. The world is full of ‘new places’ – get out there and find some. Leaving is horrible though, especially when you have built connections with people and you have learned to love them.

WM: This issue of WORLD focuses on the Class of 2001. Do you have any memories about the 2001 graduation class?

The class of 2001 graduated in my first year at AISB. I had 5 students in my IBDP Chemistry class and we worked in the lab on the second floor of Dorobanti. They were very welcoming. The senior class was quite small also, and graduation was at the Diplomatic Club. It was a small intimate affair and a joyous occasion.

WM: What would you like to tell our current students?

There is nothing better that you can do for yourself than to throw your heart and soul into learning, into the classroom, into CEESA, into the arts, but most importantly into the people you interact with.

Humanity is the way of the future. Test your boundaries and volunteer for Community Service and lead the way to a more humane world. Choose your passion and delve into it with everything you’ve got.

WM: What would you like to say to our alumni?

I hope your lives are full of grace, generosity and compassion and I hope the world treats you similarly. If not, get out of there and change your situation. Read “Oh the Places You’ll Go”; watch more TED video clips, give stuff away and phone your parents.

You haven’t stopped learning yet.. there is a whole world out there. Go and see it.

Susan Canobie High School Assistant Principal International School of Zug & Luzern

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Interview Catherine Owen Class of 2001

AISB Alumnus Class of 2001 WM: What impact did AISB have on your life?

I absolutely loved the four years I spent living in Romania, it was unlike any other experience. I will always have fond memories of the friends I made, the teachers who supported me and the experiences AISB gave me. The confidence it instilled in me has enabled me to live every day to the full and to constantly challenge myself. I hope one day I’ll be able to visit again.

WM: What did you do after graduating AISB? I returned to Brisbane, Australia and commenced a Dual Degree in Law and Business at the Queensland University of Technology. After my first semester I realized Law wasn’t for me, so I dropped the Law component and continued with Business, graduating with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resources in 2005.

I then worked for three years for Tourism Queensland in a variety of roles including a Travel Consultant and HR Coordinator. I then decided to pack my bags and head to Canada 20

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for a working ski holiday in Lake Louise. I spent 5 months snowboarding and making sandwiches for $8 an hour! It was an amazing experience until I broke my leg in the last week of my trip!

After recovering from two operations and six months on crutches I moved to Melbourne and have been here for the past 3 years. I am currently planning four months of travelling commencing in August… I will be taking 4 months of unpaid leave from my job and travelling to 11

countries, most of which have been on my list of places to visit for the last 10 years.

WM: Do you have memories about a specific teacher or special moments at AISB? I have very fond memories of Mr. Copeland who was my French teacher – he was always so patient and supportive! I wish I could say that 10 years later I was able to speak fluently but sadly I’m not quite there, however I will be spending 3 weeks at Alliance Francais in Paris studying French in October!

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WM: Where do you live and what are you doing now?

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I have lived here for the past 3 years and I love it. I work for Mercy Health, which is a non-profit Catholic health organization. I work in Human Resources as Group Diversity Advisor, which involves a lot of project work on value add initiatives for our employees. I am also currently completing my Masters of Human Resource Management part time.

WM: What would you like to tell our current students?

Throw yourself in to every new experience possible, you won’t regret it!

WM: What would you like to say to our alumni?

Last year it was 10 years since I graduated from AISB, so I’d like to say a big hello to the class of 2001! We may not all keep in close contact but I have very fond memories and I’ll continue to stalk you all on Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening in your lives!

Do you think you’ll be able to come for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations September 1 - 2, 2012?

50th Anniversary Celebration Check List Coming to Bucharest for the 50th?

Stay informed by checking out the AISB Alums Facebook page and letting us know what events you’re planning to attend.

Opening Day Celebration 1/09/2012 Time: 11:00 Venue: AISB Alumni/Varsity Soccer Game 1/09/2012 Time: 15:00 Venue: AISB Player Spectator Tour of Bucharest 2/09/2012 Time: 10:00 Venue: Various Alumni Reunion 2/09/2012 Time: 13:00 Venue: TBD

I would love to be able to go to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations however I will be in Athens as part of my four month travelling adventure so unfortunately I won’t be able to make it.

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Interview Bogdan Ciobanu Class of 2001

AISB Alumnus Class of 2001 WM: What impact did AISB have on your life?

Income and Transaction Services.

AISB significantly impacted my life. As compared to most of my high-school colleagues, attending AISB may not have required a major adjustment in terms of acclimating to the school system. However, for me, the change was significant, as I began attending AISB after completing all my primary/middle school education in the Romanian school system. In addition to its excellent education, what impressed me most about AISB was the close-knit community that developed between students and faculty. For all 4 years that I attended AISB, I always felt that I had 100% of the faculty’s support and attention.

Having this support system allowed me to focus and work towards achieving my goals. In my view, this makes AISB stand out from any other school in the American school system in Europe – an observation that I confirmed repeatedly when travelling at various events that brought together the American International School community.

WM: Do you have memories about a specific teacher or special moments at AISB?

WM: What did you do after graduating AISB?

I live in a small town in New Jersey called Cliffside Park – a ten minute car ride into Manhattan. I have been working for the same company – Citi – ever since I graduated college in 2005. I am currently a Vice President with Citi’s Transaction Services business unit, where I am a Project Manager in the Securities and Fund Services Client Implementation Team. Prior to this role, I was responsible for Market Management within Citi’s North America Liquidity & Investments business. I joined Citi in 2005 as a member of the Corporate & Investment Banking

After graduating High School at AISB, I completed my undergrad degree at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in Philadelphia where I majored in Finance and Management. After graduating from UPenn, I joined Citi’s analyst program in New York where I have been working for the past 7 years. While I started my career in Corporate Banking, over the past 7 years I have held various positions in areas such as Risk, Investment Banking, Fixed

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There are so many memories that I would like to include here, but one moment that comes to mind is a Model United Nations trip that Mr. Garbely led. Due to a series of unfortunate events, the bag containing the passports of all the students in the AISB delegation was stolen as we were arriving in The Hague. Despite the rocky start, Mr. Garbely and the AISB delegation made the best of the situation. We had a wonderful time attending the conference and were very successful. In the end, we were able to obtain new passports and return home without any problems. The success of the trip was a testament to Mr. Garbely’s leadership and the close-knit family that is AISB. WM: Where do you live and what are you doing now?

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Interview Jonathan A. Kyritsis Class of 2007

unit. From 2005 to 2008, prior to joining Transaction Services, I worked in the Global Risk Management group.

WM: Tell us about your wife and baby.

My wife and I met at UPenn while attending a French residential program. We got married in New York in 2008 and our daughter, Théa, was born in 2009.

WM: What would you like to tell our current students?

AISB is one of a kind - enjoy it and use its resources to the fullest.

WM: What would you like to say to our alumni?

I really hope we’ll be able to see each other again, even though we are probably split in all 4 corners of the world!

WM: Do you think you’ll be able to come for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations September 1-2, 2012?

It really depends on my work schedule and would not know until later in the summer – will keep you updated on this.

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WM: Jonathan completed his undergraduate degree in Finance at Durham University in 2010 and his Msc in International Management at ESADE Business School in 2011.

He founded his own company, Witelist to develop smartphone applications; namely, a platform that lets you share experiences going on around you. Jonathan is currently seeking early stage financing and still visits Romania as much as possible and is still in contact with his good friends from Bucharest.

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see you in Bucharest

2012 Alumni Reunion I Bucharest - Romania I September 2, 2012 Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of AISB with old and new friends. Check the AISB Alumns Facebook page for details and to confirm your participation. We hope you can join us!

Sos. Pipera Tunari 196, Voluntari, Jud. Ilfov 077190 Romania Tel: (40 21) 204-4300 www.aisb.ro

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