WM: What do you do now? Where do you live (and for how long)?

CC: After 9 years of moving around the world starting in Romania, Eastern Europe, followed by Peru, South America and Oman, Middle East, I now live and work in Indonesia, South East Asia. I have been working at Sinarmas World Academy for one year and I will stay here as long as I enjoy my life in Indonesia.

WM: What do you like most about your life in Indonesia (both work and life style)? 


CC: Indonesia is a very interesting country made up of thousands of islands where people are Muslim, but not quite Muslim, Hindu but not quite Hindu, Christians but di erent to our religion. It is a combination of 5 di erent religions and the most important thing is that people respect each other even though they are poor and corruption is huge. The smile on their face is the most important thing at any time during the day. If you don't smile it means you are upset with them. Even when they argue, they smile. You will never guess if they are arguing or chatting. Life in Jakarta is crazy. Tra c is awful, but nobody complains except foreigners. The local people leave home at 5:30 AM and come back home after 6:00 PM and they wake up fresh the next day. To be honest, I have no idea how they manage to have a happy life. They are amazing people. 
 

For them, time has a di erent value. They can spend 2 hours waiting for you in front of the house and they will smile at you and say hi when you arrive. They are not stressed like us for waiting a couple of minutes! Very often you can see four or ve of them squeezed on a motorbike to get to their destination, sometimes with babies, sometimes with young kids, but they never complain! We named them "mosquito bikes".

Travelling around Indonesia is beautiful. They have mountains, beaches, diving, thousands of islands including famous Bali ... so lots to see and do if you decide to visit. 


WM: What are your top 5 best things/memories at AISB? 


CC: My memories of AISB go back to 1998 when Mr. Franz gave me the opportunity to apply for the Secondary PE teacher position. I was impressed by the beautiful school and the students' con dence. Both being very di erent than our Romanian environment at that time. Of course I can't forget our "smart ladies" who played for the AISB basketball teams, Mr. Elliott - another famous gure in our Athletic department and some of my students who were working really hard (or not at all) in my class.

WM: Name 5 students you remember most and the reason. 
 

CC: My favorite 5 students in alphabetical order are:
 

Alex Johari: A very funny student, but..... I couldn't make her run in any of my classes..... Always too "tired" to move but very energetic for a chat.

Anca Stanescu: A very smart lady, a responsible and kind person always with a big smile on her face. I can't forget her in 6th grade when her mom asked me for Anca's permission to miss 2 basketball practices! This is one of my carrier highlights.

Cristina Gingirov: One of the best athletes in AISB, another smart lady, who used to love "sweeping" the oor with her body. Standing on the basketball court wasn't one of her strengths.

James Stewart: Best athlete at that time, who couldn't stay away from Cristina (especially during the basketball season)

Thomas Wesson: One of the most responsible students who always gave 100% e ort in every class! Hope he can remember the torture of the Long Jump. And now...what's his career?! Check him out!

WM: Message to AISB/Alumni

CC: Winners makes things happen. Losers let them happen! So, live your life now! The best time of your life is now while you are in school. After.... it is pay back time! 


Read the entire WORLD Magazine Winter 2013 edition here.