Alumni Stories

Meet Marina Silveira Balloni. She graduated from the Class of 2020 and is currently a first-year medical student at the University of Barcelona. Marina attended ASB from grade 8 until graduation. Her two brothers, Lucas (G11) and Rafael (PK4), also currently attend ASB. We sat down to ask Marina about life since ASB. 

How prepared were you for life at university after completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) at ASB?

I was highly prepared. There is so much material to learn over the two years of the IBDP that now at university, I recognize many concepts that I have already covered, making my first months at university easier. The IBDP also taught me to manage my time independently, which was one of the most valuable life skills I learned. 

What experiences from ASB influenced your life today?

Three teachers marked my experience at ASB; Ms. Magda, Mr. Whitehair, and Ms. Monds. They all showed empathy in my learning and a high level of interest in my wellbeing and aspirations. I remember long conversations with Ms. Monds guiding us through the DP. She was also an excellent leader and communicator during the conflict with the IB results last year. Ms. Magda supported all our university admissions procedures in Spain, even going as far as to wait outside our selectividad examination to ensure everything ran smoothly. Mr. Whitehair transformed our demanding chemistry class into my favorite lesson from all my IBDP subjects. All my teachers offered support and were excellent at their job, but these three stood out for me, and they certainly contributed to why I can study medicine today at my university of choice.

How has the Covid pandemic affected your current studies? Reflecting on the last school year, what were some of the challenges you faced?

I am lucky to have a university that prioritizes first-year students and allows us to have in-person classes on campus, even though we have to wear masks in class and maintain a two-seat distance between each student. Unfortunately, due to government restrictions, we now have to move to virtual classes for a couple of weeks. We hope to be able to return to campus soon.

Last year, the biggest challenge for me was facing the IB results offered after the IB canceled their exams due to the Covid pandemic. I know I was not alone and that this was a common challenge for many IB students worldwide. Thankfully, the IB resolved this issue with a correction in my results, and I was able to enter my desired degree at the University of Barcelona. The experience taught me perseverance and persistence.

What are some of your favorite memories from ASB? 

Honestly, I have many. The memories range from fourth floor sprints to the soccer field to get a cookie from the food truck to being a part of the soccer team and participating in multiple tournaments with my friends. There's also fun memories of picking up some bread from the cafeteria in the 5-minute break between classes. Also unforgettable was our beautiful graduation ceremony that the school organized for us despite the pandemic. I'll always remember reuniting with my classmates after the lockdown to celebrate the years and bonds we created with each other. 

Are you still in touch with former classmates?

Thankfully I am in touch with many of my former classmates. Many of my friends went to the United Kingdom to study, for example, Ruben Peláez, who is studying Biochemistry at King's College London, and Carlota Dujo, who is studying Mathematics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London. My good friend, Michelle Brenner, is also studying medicine at the Autonomous University of Madrid, and Victoria Martinez (medicine) and Benjamin Rodriguez (biology) are both studying at the University of Navarra in Pamplona.

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Memorable"
 

Contributed: October 2020

Ms. Clara Fauvet

Meet Clara Fauvet from the Class of 2020. She is currently studying medicine with a minor in law at the University of Paris. Clara attended ASB from Grade 10 until graduation. Her siblings, Inès, Félix, Lucile, and Rafaelle, also attend ASB and are currently in grades 12, 7, and 5, respectively. We caught up with Clara to ask about life since ASB.
 

Can you tell us a little about your choice of university?

"I knew I wanted to study medicine, but I was hesitating between universities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and France, all of which had different requirements - from pre-exams during their application processes, to age restrictions, to the language of instruction for some courses. Finally, after much research, I decided on the University of Paris (Descartes-Diderot), which is a great choice for me despite having a rigorous application process. I would advise ASB seniors to start their university search early, to ask questions, and to persevere to find their perfect university and career path."

How was your senior year at ASB last year amidst the Covid pandemic?

"Since we did not have the actual IB exams last year, I think it was less stressful on the academic side. However, it was very stressful emotionally since we had to deal with all the unknowns of the pandemic. Additionally, our grading system changed for the better for some students and the worst for others. Having our entire subject grade depend on just the Internal Assessment, and being slightly influenced by teachers' predicted grades was definitely a surprise. We were also anxious about the universities themselves. However, with patience, perseverance, and hard work, we were all able to make it. I believe we all learned that you need to work consistently during the IBDP and not just depend on IB exams. We also learned to be proactive and to adapt to complex situations." 

How have you commenced your studies this year at university with the Covid restrictions?

"Most of our classes this year are online, which is not too bad since it enables us to rewatch the lessons and focus more. We are quarantined again in France at the moment; however, since it is our revision month before the exams, it does not really affect us." 

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"I feel like the IBDP benefited me. Although I didn't take physics, which slightly disadvantaged me compared to other French students in medicine, my other subjects - chemistry, biology, and psychology HL - provided me with an excellent base for my current lessons. The IBDP also helped me develop lifelong skills like hard work, dealing with pressure, individual and group work, as well as the capacity to make connections between different subjects."

What from ASB influenced your life/choices or inspired who you are today?

"ASB made me grow as a person and shaped who I am today. Thanks to the different language & literature classes like Spanish A with Mr. Alberto or English with Mr. Petrillo and Ms. Thompson, I learned to be more open-minded and critical. Thanks to Psychology HL with Ms. Kurtz, I improved my critical thinking skills and gained a better understanding of human cognition and behavior, which increased my interest and desire to become a psychiatrist. Thanks to Chemistry and Biology HL, with the amazing Mr. Whitehair, Mr. Llamazares, and Mr. Motta, I was able to become more hard-working, to overcome challenges, and to mix theory and practice."

"ASB also gave me great opportunities to participate in internships and travel for school. I participated in many Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, which helped me build public speaking skills, confidence, and awareness of world issues. I also completed an internship at the Institute of Oncology of Catalonia with Ms. Marta. I learned a lot about cancer research and how to work as a scientist. Finally, my favorite experience was the medical mission to Peru, during which we were able to work with many American doctors as translators. We helped many less privileged people for two weeks, one week in a hospital and the second on a boat on the Amazon River."

"ASB also gave me amazing friends, who helped me become myself, survive the IBDP, gain confidence and maturity, as well as balance and joy. I am very thankful for them."

Any advice for younger students?

"You only live once!" :) "Do what makes you happy. Make sure you work hard to achieve what you want and help others achieve their goals too."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Diversity."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx! #Lynx4Life

Contributed: November 2020

Ms. Michelle Brenner, Class of 2020

Wonderful to connect with Michelle Brenner from the Class of 2020, who is currently in her first year of medicine at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). Michelle attended ASB for ten years, together with her brothers, Rony '11 and Eithan '13. Her family has witnessed quite some history in ASB's halls, with fellow cousins, Noa, Gal, Maaian, and Jonathan Zelman, also having graduated from the school. "We have definitely seen the school change tremendously," she shared. Let's hear more from Michelle as she reflects on last year and life since ASB.

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for life at university?

“I think the IBDP prepared me to work independently and persevere as an expert in each of my subjects. The lab work and data analysis that I worked on in science and as part of my Internal Assessments have proved so useful today. Also, the constant workload in the IB prepared me to keep up with my studies at university. The rigorous curriculum at ASB definitely gave me an advantage when starting university, especially transitioning to a new life in a new city and adapting to all my classes in Spanish.”

What experiences from ASB influenced your life/choices today?

"There are countless teachers that influenced me over the years. The first one I should probably mention is Ms.Tanya. She was my first teacher at ASB and made my transition into learning in English very smooth. I remember her very fondly and hold a lot of appreciation for her. In my more recent years at ASB, Ms.Carter, although no longer teaching at ASB, heavily influenced my choices. My class was the first to carry out the "Sustainable Development Goals" project, and I decided to focus on SDG 3, "Good Health and Wellbeing." This project and Ms.Carter's help and teaching made me realize my passion for medicine. In the IB, all my teachers influenced me in one way or another, but I want to highlight Ms. Monds, Mr. Whitehair, and Ms. Magda. These three teachers cared for me deeply during the IB and were by my side, helping me every step of the way. I'm beyond grateful for their teaching and their dedication to their students, and for never letting me give up on my dreams."

How has the Covid pandemic affected your current studies? Reflecting on the last school year, what were some of the challenges you faced?

"Last year, my biggest challenge was the university application process. Amid the Covid pandemic, I found out I had been accepted into two medical schools in different locations, while at the same time considering where in Spain I wanted to apply (the public university process is handled later around June). It was hard to figure out what the best fit for me was while I was stressing about the IB results, which I had no control over. I received a lot of support from my guidance counselors at school, Ms. Huner and Ms. Magda, and my friends and family. After a lot of self-reflection and an emotional journey with the IB grades and increased entrance grades for UAM, I met the requirements to enter my dream university and now couldn't be happier!"

What are your favorite memories from ASB?

"There are so many! If I had to mention a few, probably our 12th grade Halloween performance, MUN trips such as going to New York or Beijing, or being part of BCNMUN throughout highschool, the volleyball trips and practices. Also, sprinting through campus to get a food truck cookie between classes or in breaks, the endless laughs at lunch sitting with my friends all together, and even just everyday classes - there's not one dull day at ASB. I'll always remember our graduation fondly. Reuniting with my whole class and celebrating our graduation was amazing and unexpected, and something I think our whole class was very thankful for."

What are you thinking to do upon graduation?

"Well, I still have another five and a half years before graduation, so I'm not too worried about it yet, but I'll probably study for the MIR exam to be able to become a specialist in medicine, but no idea what area of medicine I'm interested the most in yet, I have a long way to go!"

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Community."

Thank you so much for taking the time to reconnect with us, Michelle! We wish you all the very best for your future endeavors.

#ASBtogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: November 2020

Jacob Anderson, Class of 2020

Wonderful to connect with Jacob '20 from Seattle, Washington, who attended ASB from G9-12, together with his brother Joshua, who is currently a Junior. While remote learning was not on his mind when he initially applied to Stanford University last year, Jacob is embracing the opportunity to connect and learn virtually with collective minds during his first year. Join us as we catch up with this remarkable young man.

Can you tell us a little about your university choice?

"Stanford originally was not on my radar; I was very set on attending university on the East Coast. I almost decided not to apply as the deadline was January 1st, and the night before, I had been celebrating New Year's Eve. My views changed when I visited Stanford in February, a month after I had applied. I fell in love with the campus and told myself that I had to find a way to study there at some point in my life. After that, I just felt so lucky to be eventually accepted."  

How challenging was your senior year at ASB last year amidst the outbreak of the Covid pandemic?

"Although our senior year at ASB did not end the way we had expected, I felt that compared to others suffering from the pandemic, we were rather fortunate. The extra month off coupled with no IB exams was truly a bonus."

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"I feel the IBDP prepared me and others well for university by placing large amounts of pressure on us at a young age, a feat generally reserved for when one only begins the university process."

What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

"Throughout my time at ASB, there are many teachers who played a huge role in my development. With a few exceptions, every teacher I had was both a kind and genuine person, as well as an excellent instructor. They are the kind of people willing to go above and beyond for their students.

There are four teachers, in particular, I would like to mention.

Ms. Michelle made my high school experience so much richer. Besides her positively unique and experienced teaching style, Ms. Michelle has the smoothest rapport with the student body than any other teacher I have ever met (I know I am not alone in this assessment). Whether someone is having a bad day or needs urgent advice, we all go to Ms. Michelle to receive her wisdom and because she has the ability to always make you feel better.

Ms. Corral was my Spanish teacher for all four years of school. Unlike some language teachers, Ms. Corral was always acutely aware of the difficulties of learning a language and always remained positive and gentle in her instruction. In my first year, I remember the way she took care of all the SLL1 students, looking out for us even when she did not have to do so. If only every student had Ms. Corral as their language teacher, learning a language would be much easier.

Mr. Hennessy represents what learning should be. He constantly challenged my perspectives so that I could ground my real convictions in reason. His crusade of spreading cultural knowledge has armed hundreds of students with endless commentary fodder, allowing them to enjoy unique joys in life, like the ability to recite iconic movie lines with adults. Most of all, Mr. Hennessy has made me a much more polished speaker. If you want him to do the same for you and maybe win some silverware along the way, join NESDA!

Coach Tex's positive impact on his players is immeasurable. When most people see Coach Tex, they see the man who turned a winless, hopeless basketball team into European Sports Conference (ESC) Champions (the only ASB team ever to win the award). But when I see Coach Tex, I see a role model for all of his players and students. Playing under Coach Tex has taught me so much about what it means to be diligent, disciplined, and dignified. His embodiment of those traits gives his players the best form of life education, which ironically occurs after school ends."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"My favorite ASB memory was winning the 2019 IBERIAN Basketball Championship in Barcelona. Although our team later went on to win the more prestigious ESC Championship, the IBERIAN Finals holds a special place in my heart as it was our basketball team's first championship win in history. I remember seeing so many parents, teachers, and students at the game, allowing us to share such a special moment with them while we lifted the trophy over CAISL."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"I came to ASB in 9th grade after having been homeschooled for seven years. I didn't really know what to expect. What makes ASB special is its culture of welcomeness. From the moment I arrived at ASB, I felt welcome. Not just by teachers and staff, but also by other students. This feeling of welcomeness is not present in all schools. It requires thoughtfulness to cultivate, and a dedicated effort to maintain."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"At the moment, I either want to work in the fields of politics or artificial intelligence."

Any advice for younger students?

"Isn't it pretty cool you get to be with all of your friends all day, every day at school? Make sure you know it won't last. Enjoy it while you can."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Opportunities."

Thank you for sharing, Jake! We wish you all the very best for your studies at Stanford and also for your future career.

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx. #Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

Maegan Wijsman, Class of 2020

Meet Maegan Wijsman '20, who attended ASB for 12.5 years after moving to Barcelona from Johannesburg, South Africa, with her Dutch mother and Surinamese father. In her first year at the University of Amsterdam studying Media and Culture, Maegan, like many other university students worldwide, has been following her classes remotely due to the Covid pandemic.
 

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for your university studies?

"The IBDP taught me how to manage my time wisely under stress and pressure, something that is crucial in university. It also taught me to persevere. I felt very prepared."

What from ASB inspired who you are today?

"From my first day at ASB as a 6-year-old to the moment I graduated from high school, ASB teachers have always supported me, both academically and personally. I have gained skills and confidence from them that I will carry for the rest of my life. ASB teachers have shown me that although you might not be exceptional in every subject, everyone is good at something."

Tell us a little about any extracurricular activities you were a part of at ASB.

"I was a part of the ASB Soccer team for eight years and team captain my senior year, an experience that helped shape the person I am today. Being a part of a sports team teaches you valuable life lessons such as communication, patience, and working together to achieve an overall goal. I still view my teammates and coaches as family and people who share a large and beautiful part of my ASB time."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"My top two would probably be our annual Halloween celebrations, and my high school graduation, which was the best I had ever seen, amazingly put together despite the pandemic."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"ASB is a community. I have seen it grow over the years, continually expanding and gaining new students, yet teachers always know who you are. As a student, you always feel cared for and acknowledged."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"I would like to take a year to travel and support charity/volunteering programs. After that, I would be interested in working in the area of Communications."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Two things -

Do not procrastinate!! Especially IB students, you do yourself a great favor when you work in advance or complete an assignment the day you receive it. Do not leave anything for the last minute.

Be proactive. In our world today, there are many, many injustices. You might think that your voice is small and won't make a change because you're young and still in school, but it is the complete opposite. The possibilities are endless - you are never too young to stand up for what's right, and your voice can be the smallest missing piece to a big puzzle that will make a change. Be loud and dream big!"

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Community."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

Carla Amorós Thiercy, Class of 2020

Paris-born Carla Amorós Thiercy’20 attended ASB for 12 years. She is currently studying Media and Culture at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. While most of her classes are taught remotely, she is grateful for some small group study sessions and activities with students from her course. Carla’s mother, Ms. Valerie Thiercy, is the assistant to the ECC and Elementary School Principals at ASB.

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

“I could not have been more prepared. After completing the two-year IBDP, I had acquired all the writing, studying, and critical thinking skills that I needed to be ready for university. IB is a very challenging program, but once you’ve gone through it, you are beyond ready for whichever academic path you choose ahead of you.”

How challenging was your senior year at ASB last year amidst the outbreak of the Covid pandemic?

“My senior year changed radically with Covid. We were sent home indefinitely after our mock exams and after that, everything was online. Thankfully I had already submitted all of my Internal Assessments, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge essay.”

What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

“Teachers who have inspired who I am today include Ms. Tessa, Ms. Meg, Ms. Austin, Mr. Petrillo, Ms. Giudici, and Ms. Michelle. These teachers all had a special impact on my years at ASB and I am so thankful for having been their student.” 

Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities you were involved in at ASB.

“I participated in several Model United Nations conferences, including BCNMUN and THIMUN. They were honestly the best extracurricular activities I could ever have been a part of. Having the opportunity to travel with friends and connect with hundreds of other international students regarding numerous global issues was very eye-opening.”

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

“I still remember how my best friend, Jian Domingo, and I would stress over every single Biology exam. We both took Biology HL and would study for hours and hours, and before the exam, we would always ask our teacher, Mr. Motta, if the test was hard. Naturally, it always was.”

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

“I would say that what makes ASB special are the teachers. The teachers I have had since 1st grade up until 12th grade have all been special and made ASB a very welcoming place. Furthermore, the moments that I shared with my friends who I have known since I was six years old and who I have grown up with have helped shape who I am today.”

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

“I aspire to work in the world of cinema and film production.”

Any advice for ASB high school students?

“There is one skill all high school students must strive for: finding a balance between your academic and social life. Having good grades and studying is as important as spending time with your friends and family, so remember to maintain that balance!”

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

“Unique.”

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx! #Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

Jian Domingo Mirapeix, Class of 2020

Meet Jian Domingo Mirapeix '20, who attended ASB from her freshman to senior year. Jian's older brother, Àlex, graduated from the Class of 2015 and is today an aerospace engineer. In addition to English, Jian also speaks French, Catalan, and Spanish. She currently lives in Switzerland, studying for her Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management at Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. Fortunately for Jian, despite Covid restrictions, many of her classes continue in person.

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"Thanks to the IBDP, I've been able to keep my organized work ethics to complete my studies with success."

What experiences from ASB inspired who you are today?

"During the IBDP,  I participated in many community service opportunities within the hospitality industry. These experiences enhanced and motivated me, even more, to start studying what I truly liked."

Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities you were involved in at ASB.

"I was very involved in community service at school (which I won an award for during my Graduation Ceremony). The list below describes some of the community service programs."

Cooking Classes
I taught Elementary and Middle School students to cook in English at The American School of Barcelona as an extracurricular program.

CIS University Fair
I volunteered at the CIS University Fair, organizing the event and settling university representatives as they arrived and left.

"Comemos Juntos" ("Dining Together")
I took Middle School students to eat and bond with Elders or people with Down syndrome as an Individual Community Service Project based in Barcelona.

Oak House School Uniform Sale
I organized the sale of second-hand school uniforms and donated funds raised to Sant Joan de Deu Hospital.

Centre Obert Esquitx
I collaborated with a non-profit organization in Barcelona where we organized street activities at El Raval, one of Barcelona's poorest neighborhoods.  

Refugart
I participated in Refugart, a non-profit campaign that The American School of Barcelona created. We sold art created by ASB students and later sent funds raised to refugees.

Dinners That Matter
I welcomed guests at "Dinners That Matter," a non-profit organization that collaborates with Barcelona restaurants to collect money for sub-kitchens.

Fundación NEPP
I worked with a non-profit organization that helped organize events to collect money for poor people in Africa. Helped organize and participated in a service trip to Mozambique in 2020.

Rotary Interact
I participated in Rotary Interact, a community service program in Barcelona, where we collected money to donate to charities.

"Food For All"
I collected and distributed fresh food to homeless people in Barcelona, Spain, in this individual community service project.

Clean Camp Climb
I participated in a beach cleanup with other classmates from school.

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"All the times spent with my close friends who I miss a lot. At ASB, I found some people with who I've been best friends for more than four years, and even though we don't study together anymore, our friendship continues to be strong. To be fair, I also miss those 8:55 am Paninis from the food truck, which I ate while sprinting to Homeroom!"

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"The people are so unique. Both students and staff all have different backgrounds; it makes it interesting to learn within such a diverse community. There are also different nationalities and races, so culturally diverse that it makes it very easy to integrate, especially if you come from a different country."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"I'm not sure yet in which aspect of Hospitality I want to focus on since I just started my hospitality degree. However, hopefully, something related to Food and Beverage as it's one of my favorite topics here at the moment."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Enjoy your last years before becoming an adult. Being an adult may seem fun, but it comes with huge responsibilities, especially those moving out of your parents' homes. Spend time with your family - trust me, I didn't, and regret it because now I'm not allowed to go back home to see them because of Covid-19. Also, work hard. Get those high grades and pick a career that you're passionate about. Don't pick something that just seems cool because you'll suffer in college if you do that. I've been blessed by my parents, who allow me to study Hospitality, something I've been passionate about for years."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"ASB is a family. People you meet there will always be there for you, which makes the ASB experience so much nicer. You will never feel alone there; you will always have someone to turn to when you need it. Either a friend or a teacher or staff."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#ASBTogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: November 2020

Mireia Lladó, Class of 2020

Meet Mireia Lladó '20, who attended ASB for 15 years since PreKindergarten 3, together with her brother, Adria Lladó '16. With roots in Bolivia, Mireia has lived her entire life in Barcelona. This year she started studying Graphic Design at the University of the Arts London. While some of her classes have shifted online due to Covid19, Mireia also attends some lectures in person and can use university facilities.

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"The IBDP allowed me to grow as a student - through open-mindedness, learning valuable skills like critical thinking and communication. All attributes that help me to excel in many of my classes today - especially since Graphic Design is all about working with others, receiving constant feedback, and pushing myself to improve."

What experiences from ASB inspired who you are today?

"Being a part of Model United Nations (MUN) helped me to become an outspoken person and a great communicator, I'm not afraid of expressing my voice regarding my ideas and opinions. MUN truly inspired me to become more global, opened minded, and sparked an interest in me to engage in ways to improve our world."

Tell us a little about any extracurricular activities at ASB.

"During my time at ASB, I had the pleasure of being a part of the BCNMUN executive team for two years consecutively, as well as the varsity girls soccer team throughout all of high school. Both experiences allowed me to grow as a person and exposed me to meet many people, pushing me out of my comfort zone."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"Although having many memories at ASB, my favorite memory would have to be winning the 2020 IBERIAN soccer tournament. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I couldn't have been prouder of my team, seeing how all the hard work we had gone through that year had finally paid off, and we were able to bring the trophy back home. It was a very heartfelt moment and a perfect way to say goodbye to my time as an ASB athlete."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"ASB is a community like no other. You truly make friends for life, create bonds with teachers, and staff which makes ASB a home to treasure for life."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"After graduation, I hope to work in the field of design and hopefully branch out into the fashion industry."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Always push yourself to improve and never give up. Although it may be tough, it will all pay off in the end. Enjoy the time you have with your friends and treasure every moment."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Family."
 

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

Asia Mikulska, Class of 2020

Meet Asia Mikulska '20, who attended ASB for 15 years, since PK3. With roots in Warsaw, Asia was raised in Barcelona. "I wouldn't limit myself to calling only one place home," she shares, "home is where you feel secure and loved." Asia's sister, Pola '17, is currently completing her degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Asia started her degree in psychology at Radboud University in The Netherlands this year and is "enjoying it, enormously!"
 

Tell us about any service activities you were involved in at ASB.

"In the summer of 2019, I joined 'OPWALL,' a two-week service trip to Indonesia with Mr. Motta. We assisted researchers with their data collection, living one week on the land working in a forest and the other week on a beach. It was great to bond with other international students from Australia. Still, most importantly, we were able to see how locals enjoyed their lives and were happy even though they were much less privileged than we were."

 

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"It would have to be a volleyball tournament in Geneva, Switzerland. We stayed with a host family who was supposed to drive us to the school the next morning for a game. However, the next morning, when we woke up we noticed that no one else was awake, and since it was already late, we had to get to the school by ourselves. It was truly an experience, being stressed in an unknown city and finding our way to our destination. At last, we were pretty late, but we made it."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"There is an exceptional connection between students and teachers at ASB, which makes it feel like a family and inspires students to go to school every day, even when we aren't feeling our best."

What are you thinking about doing after graduating from university?

"I'm still not quite sure; psychology is a vast topic. I initially opted for psychology because I enjoyed it during my last two years of high school, and I was interested in sports psychology (from playing volleyball for so long and experiencing different situations). I am still discovering the multiple careers I can pursue after graduating from university."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Hand in everything on time and start every assignment early; this will help with time management and help you avoid stress. Most importantly, don't leave anything to the last minute!

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Memorable."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Daniel Riechmann, Class of 2020

Meet Daniel Riechmann ‘20, who attended ASB for 12.5 years from pre-kindergarten. Daniel was born in the United States, where his parents were both working at the time; however, he returned to Barcelona with his family when he was five years old. “I’m entirely grateful for the trajectory of my life because I know that it is quite unique,” he shared. Today Daniel is studying Mechanical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands. “I love it here; it’s an extensive degree, so I have a lot of opportunities to specialize in what I want, which I think is great.”

Daniel was interested in engineering from a young age. With both parents’ biologists, he took biology in Grade 9 but realized it wasn’t for him. “Physics has always been a favorite subject, so mechanical engineering was a natural choice.”

Fortunately for Daniel, this year at university, he has attended some in-person classes on campus. “For my first elective, I chose Pulsar Navigation, which involves designing a spacecraft component that uses signals from electromagnetic stars to locate itself in space. It’s exciting designing the 3D model and coming up with an algorithm - I’m having a great time.”

When asked about his experiences at ASB, Daniel comments, “I genuinely think one of the best things ASB has is a phenomenal group of science teachers. I think they are incredibly dedicated and, at least in my experience, they go above and beyond what is expected of them to make sure that all their students succeed.”
 

He continues with a shout out for physics teacher, Mr. Bartlett, “this man is solely responsible for a lot of my success here just because he is such an amazing physics teacher. I’m incredibly grateful to him.”

Extracurricular activities like Model United Nations, student council, and RefugArt were important for Daniel as a student at ASB. His RefugArt group was able to help raise more than 30,000 Euro in two years for the Mediterranean Refugee Crisis. Many of these high school experiences helped him gain confidence in communication and public speaking. Today Daniel is a part of the debating association at Eindhoven and hopes to join the board next year.

When asked to recall a favorite memory from ASB, Daniel laughs as he recalls a time with his best friend when they borrowed Mr. Hennessy’s laptop to play some “inappropriate” music while he was out of the classroom. “We thought we were so smug but were caught on CCTV on Friday and asked to come in on Monday...we were so scared over the weekend and fully expected a reprimanding, but Mr. Hennessy thought it was funny, and I’ll never forget that.”

One word to descibe ASB?

“Fulfilling.”

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx.
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Antra Johary (2020)

Born in India, Antra Johary '20, attended ASB for five years, from 8th grade through 12th. "I lived in Bangalore for thirteen years before moving to Barcelona. I would call Bangalore one of my homes and Barcelona my other. Identifying myself with the two places gives me two very different perspectives of life and society; something I appreciate deeply." Antra's younger brother, Advay, is currently a ninth-grader at ASB. Now in her first year studying aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, Antra took time out to share some reflections from her time at ASB.

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"I wasn't sure what to expect in my studies due to its specific nature. However, I found that most of the foundations of my classes were topics I had covered in the IBDP."

How challenging was your senior year at ASB last year amidst the outbreak of the Covid pandemic?

"Personally, my senior year and my university applications were not as affected as others since my university's admissions process did not depend on the final IB grades but instead on their own selection procedure."

What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

"A major part of my high school experience was being a part of the Model United Nations (MUN) program. During the IB, I took an active role in BCNMUN as first the USG of Administration and later the Secretary-General. This provided me with the opportunity to work alongside Ms. Villanueva. The experience in itself was very rewarding; however, watching Ms. V work with us, along with the many other things she was in charge of, was inspiring.

I also believe I owe a lot to the math and physics teachers I've had at ASB. My interest (almost passion at this point) for both these subjects would not have been this strong if it weren't for their passion and their way of making these subjects so engaging.

I want to mention Mr. Coyle, my math teacher in 9th grade. Because of him and the way he made the subject so interesting, I decided to pursue a career related to math. My second shoutout would go to Mr. Wager and Mr. Bartlett. They both are exceptional teachers, who (you could tell) really enjoyed the subject and are the reason I am studying engineering today."
 

Tell us a little about any extracurricular activities you were involved in.

"As part of the MUN program, I learned and improved on a lot of the soft skills necessary today. From public speaking to working in a team, to (in the end) leading a team. For a year, three students (myself included) also taught MUN to 8th grade as their elective. It was quite a learning process for me too as every week while planning for a lesson, we battled with making the class fun and interesting yet informative, all while letting the students know that this environment is one where they can take risks."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"Without a doubt, the people. From teachers to the staff and the students themselves. Coming from my school in India, I never thought I would have such a comfortable relationship with my teachers like I did at ASB. Being an international school, I guess we are used to seeing students come and go, but I don't think we give the students enough credit for being as open and welcoming as we are/were."

How have your university studies been affected by the Covid pandemic?

"All my lectures, classes, and exams are online. However, since I attend a technical university, I have been fortunate to have had two days a week in my faculty to conduct experiments and projects with my mentor group. Unfortunately, due to the rise in Covid cases, the Netherlands has decided to shut down all on-campus days."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"Although nothing is set in stone, I know I want to end up working in a field that helps towards the goal of global sustainability. I definitely want to continue studying for a master's, either in the field of aerospace or otherwise. The aviation and space industry contributes to pollution in the atmosphere and in space too. The aspect of space waste or space debris really intrigues me (and is also one of the factors that made aerospace an attractive choice for me), and working towards a solution for it (as there are none at the moment) is something I am very interested in."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Although your time at your university will be nothing short of amazing, cherish this time because you will miss it (especially small things like a meal you don't have to cook yourself). Surround yourself with friends you love because nothing brings a smile to my face like face-timing a friend from ASB. Try your best at everything you do, and you'll be more than fine... just don't procrastinate too much!"

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Growth."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether
 

Contributed: December 2020

Catalina Castañeda, Class of 2020

Growing up internationally following her mother’s career with the World Bank, Catalina gained from the rich experiences of living overseas from a young age. After seven years in the Philippines and Indonesia, Barcelona born Catalina returned to Spain with her family and joined the ASB community in Grade 8. “I always felt quite isolated from my extended family while I was in Asia. It was wonderful to finally attend a school where I could greet my family in the corridors.” This year Catalina is pursuing a Physics degree from The University of Chicago. “My father also graduated from this university, and he always talked about his experience there. It was that personal connection that drew me to the university, also knowing their values, their structure - just not the Chicago weather!”

In addition to having a great role model, both Catalina’s parents encouraged her and her brother, Matteo, currently in Grade 10, to learn Mandarin from a young age, something she is grateful for today. “I believe that being fluent in three world languages is going to be advantageous in the future.”

When asked about university life during Covid times, Catalina shared that she has been attending virtual classes in the Paris based campus for the University of Chicago. With stricter Covid measures in Paris, she has now returned to Barcelona for the Winter break. She plans to continue with virtual learning, like many of her European peers, for the next quarter, heading to Chicago in the Spring. “I have my support network here, which is so valuable during times like these.”

At ASB, Catalina participated in the Model United Nations program and helped teach and support younger students in the program. “What I miss the most, though, is my Physics class with Mr. Bartlett. I was fascinated with that class, and to this day, I still think about it. It was the greatest factor that made me want to study physics at university. Mr. Bartlett was always willing to go the extra mile to help us. And all the students were so hardworking. We were like a small community of like-minded people. It was really meaningful for me.”

One word to describe ASB?

“Haven.”

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Adrianus Pont, Class of 2020

Meet Adrianus Pont '20, currently studying Aerospace Engineering at the Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands. Born to an Iranian mother and a Dutch father, Adrian grew up in the United States before moving to Barcelona in Grade 7. "I decided to apply to Delft because it isn't easy. I wanted a true challenge: a way to push myself to new limits. Over the next handful of years, I hope to realize my full potential as not only a student but more as an individual."

Although Adrian admits that aerospace engineering has never been a true passion, he has always found engineering quite interesting. "I always did well in physics, and the nuance of its application to flight really does intrigue me," he shares.

When asked to comment on his learning journey at ASB, Adrian gives credit to his high school Spanish teacher, Ms. Corral. "Through her constant reinforcement and encouragement, I learned to apply myself to goals and realized that taking the path of least resistance wasn't always the path to self-fulfillment."

Adrian reflects on all the positive experiences and friendships from his time at ASB. "It would not do justice to pick out a single best time from my years at ASB."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx.
#ASBtogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: December 2020

Mr. Pablo González Rubio (2020)

Pablo González Rubio '20 is currently studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

"I really liked Economics at ASB. I had great teachers who made us engage in real and thoughtful conversations, going beyond what had to be covered for the IB Curriculum. I wanted to go to class. It was great."

Pablo attended ASB in Grades 11 and 12. "My father also studied the International Baccalaureate and highly recommended it. That's what attracted us to ASB. It had a mature and robust IBDP program, and we felt the school was preparing students from early on."

Pablo's younger brother, Santi, follows his brother's footsteps, joining the ASB community this year in Grade 11.

Pablo is pleased to be connected with another ASB alumni at the University of Warwick, Carlota '19, who is currently in her second year.

"Choosing to attend ASB has been one of the best decisions of my life. The IBDP required hard work and consistency, but the hard work was outweighed by the exceptional friends I made, the outstanding teachers and staff at ASB, and the supportive environment."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Ms. Clara Ventura Cabarrocas (2020)

After a year in boarding school in the United States in Grade 9, Spanish born Clara Ventura Cabarrocas ‘20 returned to Barcelona and joined the ASB community in Grade 10. She is currently studying Medicine at the University of Navarra.

“I miss going to school. There were many days I was super excited to go to ASB, even though I had a lot of work. Seeing my friends and learning was exciting. Having teachers who cared for us as students made all the difference.”

Despite the current Covid challenges, Clara has been able to attend classes in-person at university. “The only difference this year is that we will not be able to participate in summer courses abroad,” she shared. However, she is enjoying the program immensely and is very pleased with her decision to follow her heart to study Medicine.

“My favorite memory from ASB would probably be our graduation because it was so emotional. I have such a strong connection with our school community. It feels like family.”

Service has always been something Clara has gravitated towards. In addition to supporting the RefugArt program at school, she was also involved in a local organization, El Banc dels Aliments, which provides food to people in need in Barcelona.

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Joan Verdet Mallofré (2020)

Barcelona born and raised, Joan Verdet Mallofré ’20, spent 15 years at ASB, starting his learning journey in PK3 when the school was a very different campus than today. Now an undergraduate at The University of Stirling in Scotland studying Marketing and Psychology, Joan is adjusting to living abroad and being “the international surrounded by locals,” an experience that Joan shares is “interesting since it completely flips the perspective I've always had.”

“The Scottish accent is a little hard to get used to, but the Scottish people are really friendly, warm, and welcoming,” Joan shared. Although the Covid pandemic has restricted his first year on campus, Joan has met and connected with other students in his residence. “They all think I’m American,” he chuckles. That doesn’t come as a surprise after so many years at ASB.

Reflecting on teachers at ASB, Joan recalls his early year teachers, Ms. Christina, Ms. Meg, and Ms. Ann, all of whom are still teaching at ASB. “They’ve seen me grow up - not only from 90 cm to 1m 95’ but also from playful toddler to a capable individual.” He also mentions the positive interactions he had with his middle school teachers Ms. Lindsay and Ms. Austin, and high school teachers Taylor Bingle and Santi Bragulat. “The staff at ASB are so nice. They make an effort to know who you are and, in the IB, even become more like friends. There is a deep connection that helps make them so approachable, which is essential at what may seem a very stressful moment in life."

Joan shared that he was not the type of student to go for really high grades at ASB, but he would do his best as long as he was satisfied with his results. Subsequently, he didn't tend to stress out as much as his classmates. “I believe it’s important to have control over your time, mental health is essential, and if you’re in control of your studies, you’ll be fine, I don’t doubt that.”

Having grown up and graduated from ASB, now that he is living abroad, Joan has been able to reflect on the benefit of his upbringing. “I was very fortunate to go to school every day in such an international and diverse environment, surrounded by people who bring perspectives, thoughts and opinions that only help grow my own. I only realize that now.”

When asked for one word to describe ASB, he responds, “Home. It'll always be my home.”
 

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx

#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Eden Gill, Class of 2020

Originally from Denver, CO, Eden Gill ´20 lived with her family for 13 years in the United States before moving to Barcelona four years ago in 9th grade. Today she would consider Barcelona as one of her homes. “I feel like living there presented me with new perspectives, opportunities, and a community that has helped to shape who I am today.”
 

Currently in her first year of Applied Medical Sciences at University College London (UCL), Eden hopes to continue her studies in the medical science field and to pursue a career in medicine or biotechnology.

What experiences or teachers from ASB might have inspired who you are today?

“There were several experiences and teachers who inspired me throughout my time at ASB. Refugart showed me how a community can come together to make change and impact the world in a positive way. Being a part of the Refugart executive team, lead by Ms. Marta Vernet, in 10th and 11th grade was a moving and rewarding experience. Additionally, serving as a medical translator in Peru, with Ms. Marta, Mr. Whitehair, and Mr. Orlic, opened my eyes to health care and economic needs of rural communities and the challenges to provide adequate health services for these populations. These two experiences definitely played a large role in my decision to focus on the medical sciences in university and possibly pursue a career in medicine in the future.”

Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities you were involved in at ASB.

“I played for the ASB varsity girls soccer team from 10th -12th grade, which was such a rewarding and fun experience! I was so lucky to be a part of such a great team of girls and coaches and to have so many memories playing with them. Additionally, I was a part of the BCNMUN executive team in 11th grade. Both of these experiences taught me a lot about time management, teamwork, and allowed me to meet new people and have unforgettable opportunities.”
 

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

“My favorite ASB memory would be winning the 2020 IBERIAN soccer tournament. It was a goal that I and many other girls had as it was our last ASB tournament. After months of preparation and dedication, it was great to see our hard work pay off and to see how we all came together to win our last tournament. I will always remember the feeling of winning in penalties and also the unforgettable memories we had off the field. It was a perfect way to end an era.”

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

“What makes ASB special to me are the people that are a part of the community. The friendships and connections I have made during my time at ASB are truly one of a kind. The teachers and staff have done such a great job culminating this sense of community in the student body and truly being there and caring for all of their students, which I think is a quality that makes ASB so unique.”

Any advice for ASB high school students?

“Figure out what you are passionate about! There are so many outlets and opportunities presented to ASB students to learn and pursue what they are interested in through teams, clubs, trips, classes, teachers, etc. Take risks, try new things, and step out of your comfort zone!”

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

“Grounding.”

#Lynx4Life

Contributed: January 2021

Pau Brugal Climent, Class of 2020

Spanish born Pau Brugal Climent ‘20 attended ASB on two occasions, the first in elementary school (G2-4) and the second in secondary school (G7-12). He spent grades 5-7 attending a public school in New York City, where his family had relocated following his father’s work. “The transition was not as hard as I expected. Both schools had similar teaching philosophies and were very diverse. Returning to Spain was easier, though; my family all live in Spain, and I still had many friends at ASB.”

Pau is currently studying for a degree in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. “I remember taking an elective philosophy class with Mr. Alberto - I really enjoyed the class and learning about different philosophers. It definitely sparked my interest in my degree choice and motivated me to investigate more on my own.”

Pau reflects positively on his two-year IBDP experience. “Looking back and now having done one semester at university, I appreciate how much the IB prepared me. The level of discipline that you need to have to complete the IB is a solid preparation for the level of discipline you need for university - as well as a good work ethic and effective study habits.”

Currently living in student halls, Pau is studying remotely this year. “I go to the university library every day. It’s big and always open, and I enjoy doing my online classes there. It’s a bit like an office job, but I like it because it diversifies my day, and I know this way of learning is only temporary.”

Outside of study, Pau has had the opportunity to see some of his new homeland by biking around the numerous bike routes and taking short trips to neighboring cities like Edinburgh and Stirling.

Pau fondly remembers the learning environment at ASB. “My relationship with all my teachers was great. I know they weren’t just there to get through the curriculum but from a real desire to teach us. The teachers connected with us and wanted to teach us. There was a real family feel that made the learning much more enjoyable and engaging.”
 

When asked for advice for ASB high school students, Pau reflects, “My advice would be to put everything in perspective. The IB is important and but it is one of many stages in your life. Try to reduce some of the pressure on yourself, and you’ll do much better.”

#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: January 2021

Inés Bermúdez-Cañete Cagigos from the Class of 2019 completed her two-year IBDP at ASB and is now studying business management in English at ESADE University in Barcelona. 

"After completing the IBDP, I felt more prepared than some of my classmates at university, especially managing stress and workload."

Inés shared how her IB studies allowed her to discover her passion for business and economics and let her glimpse into how her future in commerce could look. 

"Studying at university during the Covid pandemic is not easy for anyone. "I have had to stop attending all my classes and shift to virtual learning," she shares, "it is frustrating not being able to connect with my professors in person. My university experience has completely changed."

When asked what her favorite memories from ASB are, Ines recalls her relationships with classmates and teachers.

"Being able to connect with them at ASB was so different from relationships at my previous school, which was British. I enjoy the American way of learning, allowing students more freedom to express themselves and ask questions."

While Inés is not yet sure what she plans to do upon graduating from university, she knows that she will have plenty of options with her current degree and is eager to start work.

One word to describe ASB? 

"Diverse."

Great reconnecting with you, Ines! We wish you all the very best on your journey ahead. Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!

#ASBtogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: October 2020

Adriá Chimenos, Class of 2019

Barcelona native, Adriá Chimenos, attended ASB for eight years before graduating in 2019. His parents' decision to move him from a local school to ASB in Grade 5 was to immerse him into an English speaking education system that would later allow him more opportunities to attend university abroad. "I can say that had I not attended ASB, I would not be currently studying in London."

In his second year studying International Management at King's College London, Adriá, like many other university students worldwide, has momentarily shifted to virtual classes due to the Covid pandemic. "Nonetheless, I am pleased to be back in my home city as there is no place like Barcelona."

Which teachers from ASB might have inspired who you are today?

"Mr. Whitehair, Mr. Alberto, and Mr. Bartlett all shaped me tremendously as a student and, more importantly, as an individual. Their advice, methodologies, way of working, as well as their care and passion, inspired me daily to achieve my full potential throughout the IB."

Tell us a little about any service activities you were involved in at ASB.

"I was involved in volunteer opportunities through organizations such as Sharing to Learn, REFUGArt, and Bridging Through Art."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"ASB graduation was a memory that will stay with me forever. We had finished our IB exams and were about to go on our graduation trip. Graduation felt like the ideal closure of a stage that has been so important in my life, and I am grateful for how it was organized. Teachers, parents and students, all came together to say goodbye. My classmates and I were thankful for what those years in ASB meant to all of us."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"The closeness and mutual respect in teacher-student relationships are, without doubt, the greatest qualities at ASB. The school creates an environment in which students feel comfortable in class, want to participate, and are encouraged to use all their capabilities. Furthermore, I'd consider that the type of friendships you develop at ASB are also unique. I still regularly meet up with my friends from my ASB, an essential part of my life. It is the balance between academic and social life that makes being a student at ASB so unique."

What are you thinking about doing after graduating from university?

"Next year, I have the option to undertake a full-time industrial placement in an organization and have already secured a position within Volkswagen Group UK. I will be taking on the role of Operations Support Executive. I am confident that having real-life experience within the automotive industry in a company of Volkswagen's caliber will assist me in finding my passion and future aspirations."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"This might sound a bit cliché, but literally, I would recommend enjoying the routine. Having lived in London last year, I realized that having so much liberty is enjoyable but challenging. The routine of school - being with friends, being with teachers that deeply care, having an organized day-to-day schedule - is something that I value and really miss."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Wholesome."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: January 2021

Emiliana Matas Tinoco (2018)

Born and raised in Venezuela, Emiliana Matas Tinoco ‘19, moved to Barcelona with her family in 2011 when she joined ASB as a sixth-grader. “I’ve always identified as a Venezuelan, but I definitely call Barcelona home.” Today she is a student of Contemporary Media Cultures at The University of the Arts in London.

Emiliana’s family is known for its creativity. Her old sister, Isabel, works in Califonia building sustainable treehouses @wildernestdesign. Her younger sister, Alessia, currently a senior at ASB, is a musician. Her mother, Ms. Isabel Tinoco, is an assistant art teacher in the middle and high school at ASB.

“I really appreciate the teachers at ASB. They saw me as more than just a student, especially my Literature and History teachers, who inspired me to follow a creative writing degree in my first year.” Emiliana reflects on her decision to study HL Literature in her IBDP, which helped her develop skills and processes that later became invaluable at university. “I quickly realized that some of my classmates at university who had not taken the IB did not share those analytical skills.”

While an avid fan of Open Mic events at ASB, Emiliana organized Open Mic and talent shows at BISA (Barcelona International Schools Association) events, together with her good friend, Karla Montes. “I have really fond memories of those days - I didn’t realize how strong my friendships were at ASB until I was at university.”

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: December 2020

Pola Mikulska, Class of 2017

Originally from Poland, Pola Mikulska ‘17 attended ASB for twelve years, from first grade until twelfth, together with her sister, Asia `20. She is currently studying Business and Marketing at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and is excited to be joining the world of advertising and branding, specifically its creative side.
 

“The recent lockdown has made me reignite my passion for the arts and design, inspiring me to finally bring to life my creative portfolio, https://polamikulska.myportfolio.com/, which has been many years in the making. It spans from the work I did with IB Visual Arts to recent projects and commissions, which is very exciting.”
 

What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

“All the teachers at ASB have inspired me in one way or another, and I cherished my time with them dearly. However, I would have to say, my art teacher, Ms. Ana, was the one who motivated me the most through her teaching of creativity and artistic expression. I will always remember her encouragement to pursue a degree in arts and design, which, while it was not finally something I decided to study at university, is ultimately the career path I decided to take.”

Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities from ASB?

“One highlight was a service trip to Nepal, organized by Mr. Mirza and Mr. Llamazares, where we worked alongside RCDP Nepal with a rural school community. I was also involved in MUN and attended various conferences, as well as played for the school’s volleyball team.”

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

“It would probably have to be the time spent in Ms. Ana’s art room during IB Visual Arts. Our year group was very special, and the welcoming environment Ms. Ana created within the classroom made us thrive in our creativity and be constantly inspired by one another. It was the class I most looked forward to every day.”

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

“Internationality is at ASB’s core, both in the academic and social sense. Attending ASB has exposed me to so many different cultures and nationalities that it has prepared me for interacting with virtually anybody, which is one of the most important life skills one can possess.”

Any advice for ASB high school students?

“Make sure to enjoy your high school years without the academic aspect taking over! While the IB program is challenging, you will make the most out of it if you balance the work with your social life and extracurriculars to keep yourself inspired and motivated.”

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

“Empowering.”

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: January 2021

Laura Sabaté Vernet, Class of 2016

Laura Sabaté Vernet comes from a family of ASB'ers. Her grandmother, Montse Yll, was one of the founding teachers of the school back in 1962. Her mother, Marta Vernet, also an ASB student, graduated from the Class of 1985 and is today on staff as Head of Community Service. Laura and her sister, Maria, both followed suit studying at ASB, graduating in 2016 and 2013, respectively.

"When I graduated, I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to study, so I decided to take a gap year dedicated to creating experiences for myself related to communications. That year was amazing. I started off traveling to Canada, working in public relations for Spain at the Vancouver Fashion Week. Later, I worked as the community manager at a ski school in Cerdanya, finishing the winter season 16/17. Then I traveled to the West Coast of the United States to work as a soccer coach at FC Barcelona camps. It was an unforgettable year, which, despite obstacles that I had to overcome, helped me develop many skills, and shape the person I am today. Leaving home and having to work and sustain myself at the age of eighteen was no easy feat, however, those experiences helped to develop my interest in advertising and public relations."

Laura is currently in her final year of advertising and public relations at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. As her current studies are remote, she has combined her studies with work. She is currently a robotics and English teacher in l'Empordà, a region in the north of Catalunya, and a ski instructor in Masella, which she has done for the past four years. "Kids are my passion!" she shares.

Laura remembers teachers from ASB fondly. "I remember I used to lapse and call my teachers 'mom' when I was young. Teachers like Ms. Laia Solé, Ms. Sandra Mitjana, Mr. Macky, Mr. López, Ms. Montse Pérez, or the kitchen staff (Chari, Montse, Chema) are all teachers and staff that I still carry in my heart."

During her years at ASB, Laura participated in many extracurricular activities, however, her involvement in the ASB soccer teams from Grade 1 through 12 was the most special. "Throughout my high school years, I was the captain of the varsity girls team, and that is something I am super proud of." She also recalls being involved in meaningful service opportunities such as Feed the Future, her ninth-grade outreach, and Sant Joan de Deu charity dinners.

When asked to recall a favorite ASB memory, Laura responds, "Without doubt, all those tournaments with AMAC and ESC with my super team, traveling through Europe and getting to know girls from other grades, that turned into a family for me. Also, the Ski Weeks of which I was part of from Grade 4 to 12. I didn't miss any!"

"ASB is a place where you always want to come back. It's like a family. I feel at home whenever I'm there," reminisces Laura.  

Her advice to current students would be to "enjoy these years. Enjoy every little moment. They will be, without doubt, some of the happiest of your life!"

One word to describe ASB?

"Home."

#OnceALynxAlwaysALynx #Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: January 2021

Mr. Ian Kumamoto, Class of 2015

Born to a Mayan/Japanese father and a Chinese, mother, Ian was born in Mexico City before moving to Dallas, Texas, when he was 7, and later to Barcelona when he was 14. He attended ASB together with his sister, Elizabeth, and graduated a year after her in 2015.

Can you tell us which university you attended and what you studied?

“New York University, Journalism and Global Liberal Studies.”

How has life been since ASB? What are you up to today?

“It’s been very interesting and tumultuous (lol), but in mostly good ways. While at NYU, I interned at several media companies including Time Out, Quartz, and PBS. I also studied abroad in Shanghai for a semester, which was one of the best experiences of my life. I graduated from NYU in May 2019 and since then, I started a youth culture magazine called Chaos+Comrades (@chaosandcomrades) that covers issues that affect people with marginalized identities (think: LGBTQ, immigrants, etc.) which got 100,000+ unique visits at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. I’ve also been freelance writing and my articles have recently been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, VICE and other publications.”

What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

“I love this question because there were so many. The people who really stick out in my mind are Lori Lauscher, who was also a mentor to me outside of school, Melissa Leighty, and Michael Hennessy. Honestly, the most magical thing to me about ASB is how your teachers also become mentors and later, friends. They are all really interesting people with fascinating stories. I joined NESDA (the public speaking club) because I’ve always been super introverted and terrified of public speaking. Overcoming my fear of speech was one of the most life-changing and important experiences I could have had. One year, I think it was 2014, we went to compete in Berlin and I won third runner-up, which doesn’t sound that glorious but felt really good because it was something I’ve never been naturally good at.”

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

“Definitely the Halloween Dance in my senior year of High School. We were all so silly and I don’t know if this was unique to my year, but everyone in my class got along so well. We all had the same ironic sense of humor and when you got everyone in a group, it was like this strange symphony of people who were so different but who all loved each other. We couldn’t stop laughing when you put us all in a group, which I can imagine might have been frustrating for some teachers lol. I remember one of my closest friends at the time, Leon, and I opened the Halloween Dance by lip-syncing the national anthem by Beyonce. Just crazy stuff.”

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

“This might be a tired cliche, but the diversity. Honestly, it’s so special what being surrounded by people from so many different countries can do to your perception of the world. Also, it’s not a cliquey school at all and no one is mean to each other which gives us room to think about other, more important stuff.”

Any advice for ASB high school students?

“Don’t obsess over rigid ideas of success! I think it’s inevitable if you are an ambitious person to fall into certain traps - i.e. thinking IB tests are the most important thing in the world or that the university you attend will make or break your career. That’s absolutely not true. As long as you are genuine, work hard, and have a positive attitude about things, I promise you will get much further in life than someone who is obsessed with labels and big names.”

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

“Cozy.”

Anything else you would like to share?

“I just want to say I am eager and happy to connect with any current students who want a career in writing and/or media. I know I would have benefited a lot from more mentorship in those areas since no one in my family worked in a related field. They can visit my personal website (www.jikumamoto.com/) in case they are interested to see my work."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

ASB alumni, Victoria Puglia, has been awarded the highly prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford University next year, where she plans to pursue a Master's in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies and, later, a Master's in Global Governance and Diplomacy.

Born to a Spanish mother and Italian-American father, Victoria spent much of her early childhood in Barcelona, where she was a student at the American School of Barcelona from Pre-Kindergarten until Grade 8. "I always thought I would graduate from ASB!" she admits, adding, "being together with everyone from so young, there was a strong sense of community and solidarity with those around me. I noticed that was missing when I left the school."

"I am incredibly proud of Victoria and her Rhodes Scholarship," said school Director, Mr. Mark Pingitore. "Her commitment to improving the living conditions of refugees and her scholarly research and fieldwork on this global crisis exemplify the type of active leadership we hope our students can have in international communities. It is especially inspiring to see a young adult have such a positive impact and profound drive to help others. I am confident that her studies at Oxford University will help her achieve her dream of improving the living conditions of refugees around the world."

Currently a Senior at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, studying International Affairs, Victoria explains how a semester of study abroad in Uganda during her sophomore year fueled her growing interest and research into refugee resettlement, assimilation, and livelihood opportunities. "Part of the program was a one-month field research opportunity, and I decided to go to the North of Uganda to research the effects of unstable humanitarian food aid on food and human security in South Sudanese refugee settlements. My honors thesis currently looks at the relationship between acute food shocks and food insecurity on patterns of migration across sub-Saharan Africa."

Passionate about intentional and mindful travel, Victoria shares that while at Lafayette, she has worked several jobs to fund annual interim trips to Senegal, India, and Peru. "I would encourage everyone to travel if they have the opportunity. In terms of self-growth, it's one of the best things you can do."
 

"Growing up, I've always been a naturally curious person, and that curiosity has guided me. I'm very intrinsically motivated."
 

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#ASBTogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: November 2020

Mr. Nestor Cano Sostre

We recently caught up with Nestor Cano Sostre, who attended ASB from grades 1 to 9 before moving to the United Kingdom with his family. Nestor's sister, Marina, graduated from ASB with the Class of 2012, later continuing her studies at Brown University. This year Nestor graduated from Stanford University with a major in Symbolic Systems (Systems Engineering), focusing on Human-Computer Interactions. Let's learn more about what he's been up to since ASB.

"Stanford was a great choice of university for me - it has an amazing sports program, so I was able to keep sailing competitively while still receiving rigorous academics."

Tell us more about sailing competitively.

"Everyone in my family is passionate about sailing. At Stanford University I was involved in Varsity Sailing and competed in intercollegiate regattas across the country. I also sailed for the National Spanish Sailing Team with the International Sailing Federation, competing in international events coming 1st in Europa Cup (Poland, 2014) and 20th in the World Championship (Japan, 2014)."

Tell us a little about your field of study.

"I studied cognitive science, neuroscience, sociology, and basic psychology as well as the tools of statistics, computational logic, and computer science to understand the intersection of these subjects and be able to model natural processes in artificial environments."

How were your studies at Stanford affected by the Covid pandemic?

"I only had the last semester of my senior year affected, but unfortunately, I was not able to have a graduation ceremony or say goodbye to my friends. We finished our last zoom call, and a few weeks later received our graduation certificates in the mail."

Now that you've graduated, what are you doing?

"I'm currently a Growth Product Manager for Lotus Flare, a company focusing on digitizing services that used to be physically delivered in person. My current project focuses on maternal health in the Filipino Healthcare space. However, in the new year, I will be moving to San Francisco to join Accenture as an Interaction Development Analyst."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"Recess when the soccer field was still only a dirt field. I also enjoyed talking to teachers as friends. ASB had such a unique family environment that I have not found anywhere else. Everyone was human and down to earth, and even as a young student, I could always speak my mind and talk to any adult respectfully, knowing they would treat my perspective with value and respect. I knew everyone's name, even their last names, from two years above and below me. A lot of parents all knew each other, and it was a community in itself beyond the academic environment."

Any advice for current ASB students approaching university applications and final years of high school?

"I would recommend students start approaching their applications to their chosen universities early. Without enough time, the experience can be overwhelming. In addition to demonstrating their academic, creative, and service experiences within their applications, I would suggest adding supplementary information on additional passions or interests. For me, my application included my experience in sailing. If students can demonstrate something that they have succeeded in passionately that has also positively influenced communities around them, that could be a great asset in their application and help them stand apart from other applicants."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx. #Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020

Sandra attended ASB since Kindergarten until graduation in 2003. The youngest of three - her brother, Victor ('96), and Vanessa ('99), were also graduates from ASB - Sandra studied Business Administration at Pompeu Fabra before completing her Masters in Fashion Communications at Instituto Europeo di Design in Madrid. She has since worked in management roles in fashion and retail brands in Barcelona, Dubai, and Amsterdam.

While in Amsterdam, Sandra became interested in education and the concept of developing Emotional Intelligence. She returned to Barcelona to study NLP, a course on Positive Psychology, and completed her Postgraduate work in Emotional Intelligence. At that time, she also became a substitute teacher at ASB and really enjoyed the experience.

With my business background and an entrepreneurial spirit, combined with my will to bring emotional intelligence to younger children, I came across the Montessori pedagogy. I found it to be the perfect approach and start for young children to grow resilient, strong, and autonomous," she shares.  
 

I also wanted to bring children back to nature as I know the beneficial effects on humans.  I found a lack of green environments in daycare centers within Barcelona, which is why I decided to open my school, Little Forest Montessori, as a green space daycare where kids learn to interact with nature."

My vision is to positively impact the future world's society by helping to raise individuals that demonstrate deep emotional and social awareness in the way they act and interact with society and nature."

Upon reflecting on her time as a student at ASB, Sandra comments, "I was part of a generation before the influence of social media in the world. We were grounded and very connected to our community. I hope to be able to bring that kind of connection to children of our upcoming generations too.

You can find out more about Little Forest Montessori at www.littleforestmontessori.com.

Congratulations, Sandra! We wish you all the best with your new venture!
 

Contributed: September 2020

Ms. Verónica Mimoun, Class of 1993

ASB alumni and parent, Verónica Mimoun '93, is today a successful interior designer with her own Interior Design Studio (@veronicamimounstudio), and the mother of three girls, all of whom attend ASB. "I'm an alumnus. There's something about the school that brings you together; it's very charming."

Verónica attended ASB from PK3 through grade 12, except for a year overseas in grade 11, where she attended school in Pennsylvania. She graduated from ASB in 1993 with a taste for international life. After a year at ESADE in Barcelona, she transferred to the American University of Paris to study Economics and Business Administration. 

Returning to Barcelona to assume the role of general manager of a family business, it was 15 years later that Verónica executed her first project which inspired her to follow her three passions - interior design, project management, and financial control - and open her own studio. "ASB provided me with an international background, and through my university studies and work experience, I was able to gain a wide overview and perspective at a time where being international was not common."

When faced with where to send their daughters, Verónica and her husband took time visiting top international schools in Barcelona but felt ASB had all the elements they were looking for. "During our first visit, I could feel the school had grown since I was there, but I still sensed the same family feels in its hallways. The essence of the school has not changed; the teachers continue to be supportive, caring, and willing to do their best for the students."

"I certainly remember each one of my teachers, not only for what they taught me at school but also for what they taught me about life in general, sharing their experiences and creating new ones with us. I am so glad Mr. Smith, my former chemistry teacher, is today teaching chemistry to my 15-year old daughter."

When asked about her favorite ASB memories, Verónica replies, "I've got plenty!! I remember absolutely all of my teachers and I loved when we went on ski trips together."  

In her spare time, Verónica is an active volunteer in the school, supporting the Parent Association and Development Committee. "I tend to talk about the school as if it were my business, my home, my family - it's very much a part of me. I’m glad we chose ASB, and that there is the possibility that my girls will also have their children attend the school. It’s a pleasure for me to continue to support and help the school to improve and become even better."

"I am very thankful to the families who chose the American School of Barcelona in its early years as it gave us the chance to have this wonderful, quality school today."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!

#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed January 2021

Mr. Claudio Doria Tölle

Having a school with a rich history like ASB makes connecting with alumni even more enjoyable. Meet Claudio Doria Tölle from the Class of 1980. After Claudio´s family relocated to Barcelona from Peru in 1971, he attended ASB until graduation with his older brother, Mario, who graduated in 1975. Maurizio, their younger brother, completed his education back in Peru; all three brothers now reside and work in Barcelona.

Tell us a little about campus life at ASB when you were a student. 

“Campus life was fun. Back then, the school was much smaller and the opportunities to share day-to-day experiences with classmates and friends from different cultures and learn from other ways of living were simply rewarding. There were many activities organized throughout the school year (ski trips, soccer competitions with other international schools from other cities, visits to the US navy ships in port in Barcelona, talent shows, theater, disco dances, etc.) that made school life very different from what other local schools offered at that time. Being educated in both the Spanish and the American system was also enriching. I remember we even drafted and voted a school constitution!”

What was one of your best memories from your time as an ASB student?

“I would say having the opportunity to organize and participate in many initiatives and projects, both curricular and extracurricular. Today you could classify some of them as innovative.”

What did you study after graduating from high school, and which university did you attend?

“I studied Law and graduated from the University of Navarra in Spain.”

Briefly let us know what you do as a profession today.

“I have been a lawyer since 1987. I started working at a medium-sized law firm before moving to Andersen Legal and then to Garrigues, where I became a partner until 2018 when I started my own practice. I specialize in M&A and corporate and commercial law, assisting mainly international clients and closely held companies and acting as secretary to the board of directors of various companies and foundations.”

Are there any teachers/students from your time at ASB that impacted your life or choices you made after high school?

“There are many teachers that impacted my life and choices after high school: Roberto Serrano, Pilar Hernando, Kathy Boigues, Robert Ramsey, among many others. However, I would say that the influence was more from the special mix of the American and Spanish cultures (at a time where Spain was not yet a democracy but opening to the new times) - and from experiencing school and afterschool life with people from many different places, cultures, and religions, with a deep sense of respect for others and differences of opinion. My trip to the United States with the school to the Close Up Foundation also had an impactful influence.”

What do you think ASB does well?

“I think that ASB educates students to become “global citizens” with critical and innovative thinking, initiative, and integrity, with a humanistic approach in the search for academic excellence. The focus on performing arts is the icing on the cake.”

What is one word that you would use to describe ASB?

More than a word, I would say the phrase “enjoying education.”

#ASBtogether #Lynx4Life
 

Contributed: November 2020