In the past 53 years, the AISB family welcomed and later said goodbye to many of its members, young and old. Some of them stay so close to its heart that it is like they never really left at all. Madame Raluca Paraschivescu is one of these family members. She has been gone from AISB for a while now, pursuing her passion for the French language in Hong kong... but she is never really gone!
 

The moment you meet the storm of a woman that Madame Paraschivescu is, you think she is crazy – in all the right ways, of course! The rst impression is one of Hurricane Catrina but you soon realize that Madame is a friendly summer, much needed, rain storm, full of sun and rainbows on the side.
 

Ask any of the AISB Alumni and they will tell you without a doubt that Madame is not just a French teacher; she is “the” teacher. Do you know that movie “Dead Poets Society”? Remember that teacher who tags at the students’ hearts as well as their minds? Remember that teacher who was quite tough but didn’t need to show it because you would not be caught dead disappointing them? Remember that teacher who never let the child inside them die? This is Madame Paraschivescu!
 

When Madame talks about students – past or present – her face lights up. The excitement you can see on her face is a direct result of her passion for teaching, her huge heart in which she somehow nds place for each and every one of her many students worldwide.
 

As a former colleague I remember Raluca as deeply empathic and compassionate, a close member of our family and one that we were very, very sorry to see go. every summer Raluca makes it a point to come by and see us at AISB and it is obvious this is not negotiable for her. She looks at every nook and cranny like she is visiting her old house, where she grew up. Against all odds I am hopeful that Madame will join AISB again in the years to come. Until then, may she be appreciated as the truly magni cent person and exceptional teacher that she is, in any school that is lucky to have her.
 

Catalina Gardescu
AISB Admissions & Development Manage 


Read the entire WORLD Magazine Winter 2016 edition here.