Meet Jian Domingo Mirapeix '20, who attended ASB from her freshman to senior year. Jian's older brother, Àlex, graduated from the Class of 2015 and is today an aerospace engineer. In addition to English, Jian also speaks French, Catalan, and Spanish. She currently lives in Switzerland, studying for her Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management at Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. Fortunately for Jian, despite Covid restrictions, many of her classes continue in person.
 

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"Thanks to the IBDP, I've been able to keep my organized work ethics to complete my studies with success."

What experiences from ASB inspired who you are today?

"During the IBDP,  I participated in many community service opportunities within the hospitality industry. These experiences enhanced and motivated me, even more, to start studying what I truly liked."



Tell us a little about any extracurricular or service activities you were involved in at ASB.

"I was very involved in community service at school (which I won an award for during my Graduation Ceremony). The list below describes some of the community service programs."

Cooking Classes
I taught Elementary and Middle School students to cook in English at The American School of Barcelona as an extracurricular program.

CIS University Fair
I volunteered at the CIS University Fair, organizing the event and settling university representatives as they arrived and left.

"Comemos Juntos" ("Dining Together")
I took Middle School students to eat and bond with Elders or people with Down syndrome as an Individual Community Service Project based in Barcelona.

Oak House School Uniform Sale
I organized the sale of second-hand school uniforms and donated funds raised to Sant Joan de Deu Hospital.

Centre Obert Esquitx
I collaborated with a non-profit organization in Barcelona where we organized street activities at El Raval, one of Barcelona's poorest neighborhoods.  

Refugart
I participated in Refugart, a non-profit campaign that The American School of Barcelona created. We sold art created by ASB students and later sent funds raised to refugees.

Dinners That Matter
I welcomed guests at "Dinners That Matter," a non-profit organization that collaborates with Barcelona restaurants to collect money for sub-kitchens.

Fundación NEPP
I worked with a non-profit organization that helped organize events to collect money for poor people in Africa. Helped organize and participated in a service trip to Mozambique in 2020.

Rotary Interact
I participated in Rotary Interact, a community service program in Barcelona, where we collected money to donate to charities.

"Food For All"
I collected and distributed fresh food to homeless people in Barcelona, Spain, in this individual community service project.

Clean Camp Climb
I participated in a beach cleanup with other classmates from school.

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"All the times spent with my close friends who I miss a lot. At ASB, I found some people with who I've been best friends for more than four years, and even though we don't study together anymore, our friendship continues to be strong. To be fair, I also miss those 8:55 am Paninis from the food truck, which I ate while sprinting to Homeroom!"



In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"The people are so unique. Both students and staff all have different backgrounds; it makes it interesting to learn within such a diverse community. There are also different nationalities and races, so culturally diverse that it makes it very easy to integrate, especially if you come from a different country."

What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"I'm not sure yet in which aspect of Hospitality I want to focus on since I just started my hospitality degree. However, hopefully, something related to Food and Beverage as it's one of my favorite topics here at the moment."



Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Enjoy your last years before becoming an adult. Being an adult may seem fun, but it comes with huge responsibilities, especially those moving out of your parents' homes. Spend time with your family - trust me, I didn't, and regret it because now I'm not allowed to go back home to see them because of Covid-19. Also, work hard. Get those high grades and pick a career that you're passionate about. Don't pick something that just seems cool because you'll suffer in college if you do that. I've been blessed by my parents, who allow me to study Hospitality, something I've been passionate about for years."

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

"ASB is a family. People you meet there will always be there for you, which makes the ASB experience so much nicer. You will never feel alone there; you will always have someone to turn to when you need it. Either a friend or a teacher or staff."



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

Contributed: November 2020