School Advisor Articles

Alice Smith School: Fostering dynamic leaders like Aisha Hassan for a changing world

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 09, 2023

Modern education demands more than just a traditional classroom experience. It includes a dynamic approach that equips students to tackle the challenges that await them in university and beyond — something Aisha Hassan can attest to. 

Aisha’s educational journey took shape at Alice Smith School, a transformative international school that left an indelible mark on her life. Her time at this school spanned from Reception at the tender age of four to Year 11, a formative period during which she forged lifelong friendships. These connections, formed within the school's diverse student body, continue to be her pillars of support, scattered as they are across the globe.

From the age of four, Aisha's educational journey has been an experience that influenced her future path.

Aisha’s experience of studying at Alice Smith School

Alice Smith School is the first British international school in Malaysia and the only “not-for-profit” British international school in the country. Step into any class, and you’ll find interaction and collaboration between the teacher, the students and their peers. Coaching and reflection exercises take place in small tutor groups — sometimes led by expert guests — so students get the most from their education. This enriched, stimulating and comprehensive curriculum fosters the development of young minds into critical and analytical leaders who are well-prepared for their journey through university and beyond.

Aisha excitedly shares some of her most cherished moments at the school. “I have fond memories of us acting out the lives of the Ancient Greeks or Egyptians, as well as diving into modern history (like WWII) through role-playing activities. There were also so many exciting school trips, which have become even more impressive and enriching in recent years. Alice Smith nurtured all my creative interests and encouraged academic rigour — English, Art and Music lessons remain among my favourite classes.”

Participating in co-curricular activities (CCAs) was pivotal in Aisha's personal growth. Her involvement in the performing arts, including theatre and music, exposed her to like-minded peers and helped her build friendships across different years. 

She shares, “I was a fairly stage-shy individual at that age, and it provided a safe space for me to pursue creative endeavours. In recent years, I have revived my love for the performing arts by starring in an experimental theatre show or organising and performing in spoken word poetry events. Participating in CCA’s made me feel braver and laid the foundation for my creative work today.”

Aisha's passion for English literature, nurtured by exceptional teachers, also played a significant role in her academic journey. The best part? Despite having different English teachers as she moved through each year of school, Aisha acknowledges all of them for being outstanding in their own ways. 

“I remember how one teacher once gave me ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak,” Aisha recalls. "She thought I’d like it, considering my interest in reading and writing. It remains one of my most treasured fiction experiences and is emblematic of how I was lucky enough to have teachers who went the extra mile. They constantly challenged me to go one step deeper and stretch my creativity, laying the foundation for my enduring passion for English Literature, which ultimately helped me land a place at Oxford.”

In 2011, Aisha had an early opportunity to apply what she learned in the classroom to the real world through her two-week internship at The Star. “Alice Smith honed my writing, communication and teamwork skills, and these all proved incredibly valuable during the work experience,” she says. 

Pursuing International Baccalaureate instead of A-Levels

After Alice Smith, Aisha pursued the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme at Sevenoaks School in the UK. Unlike many students, Aisha was certain early on that IB would fit her better than A Level. “I chose IB because it provided a much wider breadth of subjects that I felt would stretch me intellectually and creatively, and I loved the idea of pursuing all my interests rather than being pigeonholed into 3 to 4 similar subjects. Plus, IB seemed a lot more challenging, so I felt it would be a more satisfying, rigorous qualification.”

As predicted, IB proved to be a demanding programme for her, but Aisha believes it prepared her for the intellectual rigours of higher education. 

Thanks to her unwavering determination and passion, Aisha successfully completed her academic journey

Her educational journey continued with a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford and a Master's Degree in Journalism at Columbia University. While Alice Smith significantly shaped her worldview and confidence, Sevenoaks prepared her for the competitive Oxbridge application process. Aisha's international background helped her adapt seamlessly to different cultures, a skill that proved essential in her university experiences.

Aisha's journey from Alice Smith School to co-founding Dia Guild

Today, Aisha is a co-founder of Dia Guild, an e-commerce and content platform connecting artisanal Southeast Asian brands with a discerning global audience. Interestingly, it was at Alice Smith that Aisha first met her best friend and now co-founder, Alia Farouk, in Year 1. The foundation of their friendship and working relationship was laid during those early years.

Source; Oh Sebenar.

Looking back, Aisha believes her time at Alice Smith has left a positive impression on her. 

“I’m now more comfortable and confident almost anywhere in the world. Despite vast cultural differences, there are so many ways to connect with others. This mindset is a huge privilege, and I am eternally grateful to my parents for allowing me to experience that,” Aisha reflects. 

Recently, Aisha visited the Alice Smith secondary campus (Equine Park) and was blown away by the world-class facilities, especially in the Art and music departments. 

“The sports facilities look amazing. The school looks more like a prestigious university campus than a secondary school. I genuinely maintain that Alice Smith is Malaysia's most dynamic, diverse and globally-minded international school. I encourage parents to consider it when deciding on the best educational and enriching experience for their kids.”