Having a school with a rich history like ASB makes connecting with alumni even more enjoyable. Meet Claudio Doria Tölle from the Class of 1980. After Claudio´s family relocated to Barcelona from Peru in 1971, he attended ASB until graduation with his older brother, Mario, who graduated in 1975. Maurizio, their younger brother, completed his education back in Peru; all three brothers now reside and work in Barcelona.

Tell us a little about campus life at ASB when you were a student. 

“Campus life was fun. Back then, the school was much smaller and the opportunities to share day-to-day experiences with classmates and friends from different cultures and learn from other ways of living were simply rewarding. There were many activities organized throughout the school year (ski trips, soccer competitions with other international schools from other cities, visits to the US navy ships in port in Barcelona, talent shows, theater, disco dances, etc.) that made school life very different from what other local schools offered at that time. Being educated in both the Spanish and the American system was also enriching. I remember we even drafted and voted a school constitution!”

What was one of your best memories from your time as an ASB student?

“I would say having the opportunity to organize and participate in many initiatives and projects, both curricular and extracurricular. Today you could classify some of them as innovative.”

What did you study after graduating from high school, and which university did you attend?

“I studied Law and graduated from the University of Navarra in Spain.”

Briefly let us know what you do as a profession today.

“I have been a lawyer since 1987. I started working at a medium-sized law firm before moving to Andersen Legal and then to Garrigues, where I became a partner until 2018 when I started my own practice. I specialize in M&A and corporate and commercial law, assisting mainly international clients and closely held companies and acting as secretary to the board of directors of various companies and foundations.”

Are there any teachers/students from your time at ASB that impacted your life or choices you made after high school?

“There are many teachers that impacted my life and choices after high school: Roberto Serrano, Pilar Hernando, Kathy Boigues, Robert Ramsey, among many others. However, I would say that the influence was more from the special mix of the American and Spanish cultures (at a time where Spain was not yet a democracy but opening to the new times) - and from experiencing school and afterschool life with people from many different places, cultures, and religions, with a deep sense of respect for others and differences of opinion. My trip to the United States with the school to the Close Up Foundation also had an impactful influence.”

What do you think ASB does well?

“I think that ASB educates students to become “global citizens” with critical and innovative thinking, initiative, and integrity, with a humanistic approach in the search for academic excellence. The focus on performing arts is the icing on the cake.”

What is one word that you would use to describe ASB?

More than a word, I would say the phrase “enjoying education.”



Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#ASBtogether #Lynx4Life

Contributed: November 2020