Originally from Poland, Pola Mikulska ‘17 attended ASB for twelve years, from first grade until twelfth, together with her sister, Asia `20. She is currently studying Business and Marketing at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and is excited to be joining the world of advertising and branding, specifically its creative side.

“The recent lockdown has made me reignite my passion for the arts and design, inspiring me to finally bring to life my creative portfolio which has been many years in the making. It spans from the work I did with IB Visual Arts to recent projects and commissions, which is very exciting.”



What experiences or teachers from ASB inspired who you are today?

“All the teachers at ASB have inspired me in one way or another, and I cherished my time with them dearly. However, I would have to say, my art teacher, Ms. Ana, was the one who motivated me the most through her teaching of creativity and artistic expression. I will always remember her encouragement to pursue a degree in arts and design, which, while it was not finally something I decided to study at university, is ultimately the career path I decided to take.”

Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities from ASB?

“One highlight was a service trip to Nepal, organized by Mr. Mirza and Mr. Llamazares, where we worked alongside RCDP Nepal with a rural school community. I was also involved in MUN and attended various conferences, as well as played for the school’s volleyball team.”

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

“It would probably have to be the time spent in Ms. Ana’s art room during IB Visual Arts. Our year group was very special, and the welcoming environment Ms. Ana created within the classroom made us thrive in our creativity and be constantly inspired by one another. It was the class I most looked forward to every day.”

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

“Internationality is at ASB’s core, both in the academic and social sense. Attending ASB has exposed me to so many different cultures and nationalities that it has prepared me for interacting with virtually anybody, which is one of the most important life skills one can possess.”



Any advice for ASB high school students?

“Make sure to enjoy your high school years without the academic aspect taking over! While the IB program is challenging, you will make the most out of it if you balance the work with your social life and extracurriculars to keep yourself inspired and motivated.”

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

“Empowering.”



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

Contributed: January 2021