World Magazine: What have you been doing since you graduated from AISB? & Where are you living now and what are you doing? Please tell us more about your career.
NH: University - After graduation from AISB in 2007 I, along with my family, moved back to Pakistan. I joined Bahria University, to do bachelors in Humanities and Social Sciences, majoring in Development Studies & Economics.
Work - Upon graduation from college in 2011, I took some time off to take a breather. I travelled to my home city, visited family, enjoyed a big
rowdy Pakistani wedding. In October I joined British Council to gain solid work experience in the Development sector. I’m working on their Active Citizens program and my work involves campaigning and advocacy, all good stuff!
Fun - I like street photography, especially with an analogue camera, you know the old-school way of doing things. I like blogging about my travels in Pakistan and street style from Islamabad. We have beautiful mountains and hills near my home, which we visit often. And of course, no fun can be experienced without having our spicy traditional food! Yum.
WM: How did AISB help you in preparing for and choosing your career?
NH: In countless ways! But mostly by instilling confidence and providing me with countless opportunities to find what I really enjoyed doing and was good at. I gained an international perspective which not many people are lucky enough to get. AISB showed me unlimited options! I travelled with different teams to represent our school, took part in extracurricuIars, debated philosophy and literature in class, got to learn from amazing teachers (Mr. Born, Dr Chapman, Mr. Bird and the list goes on). The most important of all was the Model U.N. with Ms. Murray.
From the day I attended my first MUN session, I was hooked. From practice sessions after school to the conference in Lisbon, I learned how to speak better, articulate my thoughts, negotiate with people holding different opinions, and to arrive at a peaceful resolution. I decided that I wanted to pursue International Relations. I carried this interest with me to college and attended the Harvard MUN. Also, it helped me to decide in college that I wanted a minor in IR and major in Development Studies.
WM: What memories do you have of AISB? Friends, family, teachers.
NH: Ah a rush of sweet nostalgia. My sisters and I often reminisce about our time in Bucharest. We call it ,,our vacation time", you know the
three years of utter fun and adventure that we spent in Romania, haha.
The AISB community is so loving and welcoming that it didn’t take long for us Hijab-wearing, and I admit a bit shy, girls from Pakistan to settle in. We miss everything from the friendly smiles in the hallway, cafeteria lunch (how we loved the pizza!), gym, study hall, and teachers it. I can safely say, without any exaggeration, those were some of the best years of my life.
WM: Do you keep in touch with friends from AISB? How?
NH: Definitely! I’m so glad I’m from the face-book-generation ha! I’m in touch with my high school friends and besties. It’s lovely to be able to stay in touch, know how the other is doing, and where everyone is located in the world! Really, social media is amazing.
WM: Next year is the school’s 50th Anniversary. Any chance you can come back to Bucharest for some of the celebrations?
NH: I would love to, but with a new job and grad-school applications, it might be a bit difficult. But it’s definitely on my list to visit Bucharest again lnsha’allah Of God wills).
WM: What advice would you give to current AISB students?
NH: Oh boy, it’s a bit thrilling to be on the other end of the advice stream, haha. Dear current
AISB students, please take part in every opportunity you see, take risks, and most of all, have no regrets. And friends! Even now I’m smiling thinking about
Read the entire WORLD Magazine Winter 2011 edition here.
