Schools in the global SABIS^® Network are renowned for helping students build a strong academic foundation which they can expand upon in their pursuit of success. Through involvement in the SABIS Student Life Organization^®, students who graduate from SABIS^® Network schools are also well on their way to becoming responsible, hardworking individuals who are committed to making a difference in their communities.  Combining their knowledge and commitment, alumni of the International School of Choueifat – Erbil (ISC-Erbil) in Kurdistan, Iraq, recently participated in a new summer internship program in the region.

In the summer of 2016, the International School of Choueifat – Erbil (ISC-Erbil) launched a summer internship program for its graduates. The program, which was designed to enhance graduates’ resumes, included 16 ISC-Erbil graduates.  Eight interns undertook the responsibilities of subject teachers in a summer school session offered to students at Fakhir Mergasori International School (FMIS), a SABIS^® Private-Public Partnership (PPP) school in Kurdistan. These eight interns spent their summer helping students in grades 2 to 7 who needed extra support in English and math.  The second group of eight interns took on administrative tasks at ISC-Erbil where they worked closely with the Office Manager and Academic Quality Controllers, as well as helped welcome Kindergarten students in their first few days at school.

The internship program was a resounding success based on feedback from both the alumni interns and schools.  One of the participants in the program was Mohammed Nahro, ISC-Erbil, Class of 2013, who said, “All my efforts were for the sole aim of giving back what the school had given me. It was a wonderful experience.”  ISC-Erbil School Director Stephan Kleynhans praised the program and the alumni involved.  “The conduct and dedication of the group of alumni interns was extremely positive – exactly what we would expect from a group of young people who graduated from a SABIS^® Network school,” he said.

The successful internship program will be repeated in the summer of 2017.  Interested ISC-Erbil alumni should keep in touch with the school to stay informed about application timelines.  If you are a graduate from any SABIS^® Network school and are looking for ways to give back, contact your alma mater or get involved in your school’s SABIS^® Alumni Global Association (SAGA) chapter.