Heidi Abirached

SIS student 2010 – 2014

Do have any particular memories of your time at SIS that you’d like to share?

I have so many, but one of them was with my teacher, mrs öman (zwickert) my math teacher. I was awful in math. I hated it and I kept failing miserably at it. I had a 3/10, 56/100 and one day she sat me down and told me, you aren’t learning for me, for your dad or for a grade. You are learning for yourself so take this method and use it on something you know. The point is not for you to be a math wizard but to be independent and be able to do things and solve things by yourself – this essence of independence and being a problem solver really hit hard, especially as a woman.

What are you doing now?

Since SIS I did my undergrad in Paris; history law and society, then my masters in Italy; food culture and mobility – to then travel to Lebanon and work with local producers on promoting their products during the economic crisis. I’ve become a food consultant who helps with communication, photography and PR for various wineries and other unique food producers

What influence did your time at SIS have on your career so far?

One of the biggest influences was career day, and understanding from parents that there is usually isn’t one path nor is it straight and it’s ok to change your mind. SIS taught me the importance to learn for myself and apply that knowledge to everyday life

What advice would you offer current SIS students?

It’s ok to change your mind, it’s ok to try different career paths, it’s ok to not know exactly what you want to do at the age 18