On a personal level, I would say the student representation party I previously mentioned. Everyone in the organization was very motivated, and we were able to inspire a new lecturer position in the field of earth system science. A significant amount of funding to a sustainability committee also came about due to our work, which is now working on implementing many of our ideas. Being part of a student council, in general, was a very insightful experience and allowed me to better understand the university’s logistical and legal processes that go on behind the scenes.

Academically, it was very cool to work on a one-year research project where I investigated the effects of different weather conditions on highway traffic flow and the effectiveness of traffic management systems. Since the German Federal Highway Research Institute commissioned the project, I feel my research will eventually be used in a real-world context.

How do you feel your TGS education has benefited you in your science career?

I think two of the most beneficial skills that THINK Global School’s Changemaker Curriculum taught me are self-organization & motivation. These are essential for managing your time as a university student. Since I had already been in charge of my learning at TGS, the transition to university was much easier for me than for some of my peers with more traditional academic backgrounds.

As for science specifically, I think problem-solving and continuing to try a problem, even if it is hard, was something I had already gotten a glimpse of at TGS. With the projects, you constantly had to try and find new approaches to the question at hand, and this kind of creative thinking and persistence is definitely helpful in the scientific field.

Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?

For current students, I would definitely say don’t worry about “missing out” on the knowledge that is taught in more traditional programs or whether you will be prepared for higher education. I can tell you right now that you are. Just make the most of the opportunities at TGS, pursue everything that interests you, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves!

During the lockdown, I sort of fell down a rabbit hole and began delving into the world of NFTs and web3. I was working at an archival organization at the time, and my boss encouraged me to look into how blockchain technology could be used to digitize photography collections and create a historical record for future generations.

As I began learning more about the utility of NFTs, I soon started to share my work via Twitter and learned more about the community. Since then, I have begun working with different DAOs (Decentralised Autonomous Organisations) and have had the opportunity to help curate shows in Dubai, Miami, and Chicago. This has definitely been the most fulfilling part of my work post-graduation, as it’s allowed me to cultivate my photographic practice further while learning more about how this new technology can be used to empower artists typically blocked from the traditional art market and establish creative autonomy as they build their careers.

How do you feel your TGS education has benefited you in your photography career?

Being surrounded by so many creative people at TGS definitely inspired me to follow my passion for photography. During my time with the school, I had my camera with me at least 80% of the time and tried my best to capture all of the experiences we were having during weXplores, day trips, etc.

Classes like New Media pushed me to cultivate a strong narrative, find themes within my artistic practice, and help me look at the world from all angles. In addition to photography, I honed my writing and critical thinking skills, allowing me to become an even better storyteller– a component that people often overlook within photography as a primarily visual medium. Ultimately, I think TGS showed me the value and equal importance of creativity and logic, which gave me the support and motivation to pursue photography full-time.

Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?

My one piece of advice would be to practice being present. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that is TGS, but by the end of it, it can seem to have passed you in the blink of an eye. During your time, try to find ways to truly take in the experiences you are having, whether through keeping a journal, taking photos, or just finding moments of stillness throughout the day.

A few friends and I took a shot at starting a mobile peer-to-peer payments company in the UAE. It did not work out, but it was a great learning experience during which I got to try on many hats.

What’s next?

I’m not sure yet, but I’d definitely like to spend more time with my family, have a fulfilling career and continue to travel. There is a lot I want to do and I’m currently figuring it out.

I’d considered studying law for a while and this was definitely supported by experiences at TGS such as talks with a NATO brigadier when living in Bosnia. I was interested in understanding more about institutions used to govern behavior on an international scale and knew that studying law would be a good foundation for it. Admittedly, since coming to university I’ve surprised myself with what areas of law I’ve found interesting. I’m looking to pursue an LLM in International Business Law and this is still accompanied by the desire to want to positively contribute to whatever environment I end up working in. I hope to navigate the corporate world and work on an international scale with this in mind.

What has been the most gratifying project you’ve worked on since graduating?

While working as a research consultant for Coram International, I got to help with the drafting of child protection regulations for Nigeria. Not only did I get to work with legal experts but it gave me real insight to the difficulties in setting and upholding legal standards that are viable on an international scale. Especially because I chose to gear my degree towards business law, being able to work within international development work reminded me of the importance of legal infrastructure.

Do you feel your experiences at THINK Global School prepared you for life post-graduation?

I definitely think my time at TGS helped prepare me for the experiences that I’ve had after. Probably more than I’ve even realised, TGS taught me the importance of communication and perseverance in all types of situations. I might have traded a host family in Costa Rica that only spoke Spanish for brokers at the Lloyd’s of London that interact only in insurance contracts, but I’ve found that I’m not uncomfortable in either situation. Nor am I hesitant in asking questions or voicing my thoughts to get the most out of an experience.

At university, I think TGS has helped make me a diligent student and I’m confident even in classes with a diverse group of people, each with an opinion louder than the last. I also have to note that as much as it seemed like a drag at the time, simple things that TGS expected us to do like laundry, groceries, cooking or budget tracking have come in useful. I’ve seen someone at university try to toast a bagel in a microwave.