“Pursue your passions authentically, not simply following others' paths.”

In 2012, I began my International Baccalaureate journey at the Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), spending one transformative year in MYP1 before relocating to Dubai and subsequently to Bratislava, Slovakia. Though brief, my time at AICS laid the foundation for my continued IB education, which I completed in 2020.

My entrepreneurial journey began during high school when I co-founded a cryptocurrency project during the 2017 market boom. This experience led me to take a gap year after graduation, working for a decentralized finance startup in Istanbul. However, as my interest in cryptocurrency waned, I discovered a growing fascination with artificial intelligence, particularly its potential to transform education.

This newfound passion brought me back to the Netherlands, where I'm currently pursuing a dual degree: B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and B.A. in Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences at the University of Groningen. Here, I co-founded Edion while also conducting AI research in the judicial domain as an intern at Sopra Steria Netherlands.

Despite spending just one year at AICS, the experience profoundly shaped my worldview and ultimately influenced my decision to return to the Netherlands for university. I've maintained connections with several classmates, including Morris and Jordan, and look forward to reconnecting with more alumni.

To current AICS students, I offer this advice: trust your instincts and embrace calculated risks. Pursue your passions authentically, not simply following others' paths. Remember to empathize with your teachers and peers, always seeking ways to enhance their experience—such kindness has a way of coming full circle.