WM: What impact did AISB have on your life?

 

AISB provided me with an education that al- lowed 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 Maj-esty King Abdullah II’s office and now with mynewly established sports entertainment start-up: X-Sports Management. Additionally, AISB alongwith my Father’s career as a Diplomat providedme with a better understanding and cooperationwith people from different cultures. This facilitated transactions and negotiations with peoplefrom differing cultures and made me an asset toall organizations I was engaged with.

 

WM: What did you do after graduating AISB?

 

Since graduating from AISB I returned to Jordan 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 Busi- ness Administation. While in NYIT I also worked with the World Economic Forum on a project basis by providing services in the World Eco- nomic 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 Brazil- ian 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 Itrained 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 the Royal Hashemite Court (His Majesty KingAbdullah II’s office) in the Multilateral InitiativesUnit 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 MartialArts league - Desert Force MMA Championship. X-Sports management has already run 4 events in the middle east and manages the best ArabMMA fighters. My near future probably has X-Sports 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 specificteacher or special moments at AISB?

Wow! I have several!! I recall teachers that left a lasting impression on me and I still remem- ber many words of wisdom they passed to me. Teachers like Mr. Joe Garbley and Mr. Mark El- liot. They pushed their students to the max andgave us great responsibilities; this was definate- ly 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 opinionand 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 thepeople 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-to- day activities. Every one of you has contributedimmensely in several different ways to what orwho 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 the50th Anniversary Celebrations September 1-2, 2012?

 

I most certainly hope so. With the number ofevents 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! Infifty years AISB has grown from two little cam- puses 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.