Meet Hamda Alfalasi, Class of 2022 IB Diploma Graduate

Hamda joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family in Year 1 when the school doors first opened in 2009. After 13 fabulous years at the school, she has now proudly graduated and is heading to Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi for a year to complete an intensive French course. 

After receiving her results, Hamda said “I felt elated, it was a relief that the hard work I had put in throughout the years was not wasted. The IB Diploma Programme is known for its rigorous curriculum, and it was definitely the most challenging two years of my life thus far, however, they were also the most rewarding ones.” 
 

Hamda is heading to Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi to take an intensive course in French. “The reason for my choice in continuing to intensively study French for a year is simply to expand my horizons. Learning new languages opens new doors and studying at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi will allow me to transfer to Sorbonne in Paris. This course would mean I will be near fluent in the language and would give me the opportunity to pursue a degree taught in French. I consider it a privilege to have a branch of Sorbonne University here in Abu Dhabi and not taking this path would have been a missed opportunity for me. French, along with English, is the only language spoken in all five continents. In order to open myself up to the world, acquiring fluency in French is the first step. I have always been passionate about French, as my teacher for a decade, Mr. Deposé, never failed to keep my love for the language alive.” 

Once Hamda has completed her year in Sorbonne she plans to study architecture. “In terms of my future after studying French, I am aiming to study Architecture. I still hold Art and Design close to my heart. I have always been passionate about channelling my creativity in the real world. Everybody is gifted with something, and my gift is my creativity. It is only fair that I allow myself to continue to be the artistic person BIS Abu Dhabi shaped me into.” said Hamda. 

How did completing the IB Diploma Programme support Hamda to follow her dreams at university? “Completing the IB Diploma Programme did not only help me secure a spot at Sorbonne but has also given me offers from all the universities I applied to. By virtue of its competitive and challenging nature, admissions officers understand the student you are compared to other applicants. I was never worried about the extra-curricular activities if they asked, since the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) component of the IB Diploma Programme perfectly backed me up.” replied Hamda.  

Hamda has been an extremely active member of the BIS Abu Dhabi community in her 13 years at the school. “I was involved in many extra-curricular activities at BIS Abu Dhabi, some of which include being a part of Model United Nations and participating in the Nord Anglia Education MUN debate, being part of the student council, the debate team and many more which a paragraph in an article could not do justice!” said Hamda. 

When asked to share a fond memory from her time at the school, Hamda said: “BIS Abu Dhabi is my second home considering I have spent all my schooling time here and so I will miss every part of studying there! Something I am still adjusting to is the thought that I will not be returning in September, and I am already missing the familiar faces I would see walking through the school corridors. I would just like to add a mention to all the hard work teachers and staff have put into helping me get to where I am. There has never been a moment I thought I was alone, and I owe that to the wonderful BIS Abu Dhabi community.” 

 
Hamda has dreamt of becoming an architect since she was in Primary school and we are sure she will be changing skylines around the world in the future. Congratulations, Hamda!