Reem Abbas, an alumnus of Al-Wadi International School in Jeddah, KSA, is an exemplary real-life exhibit of being so immersed in interdisciplinary learning. Graduating with the class of 2014, her education at Al-Wadi helped build a strong foundation of being keen to learn. After acing her international GCSEs and A-levels, Reem pursued an English Language and Literature degree at Bilkent University in Turkey and graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Shortly after attaining her Bachelor’s, Reem obtained a Master’s degree in philosophy in Modern and Contemporary Anglophone Literatures at the University of Cambridge. Currently, she is in the process of accomplishing her doctoral studies on the literary and artistic cross-linguistic and cross-cultural Persian influences on poetry.
“I am genuinely grateful for my time at Al Wadi, without which I would not have been able to achieve all that I did,” said Reem. “My deepest gratitude goes to the teachers who taught me and were patient with me when I asked for extra help. In hindsight, I now realize it was their training that had equipped them with the right tools to teach, and in turn, affect us students for the better.
Her pursuit of learning has culminated in winning the Review of English Studies’ global essay competition, teaching at the very university she was studying in, and being a published poet in reputable platforms such as the Poetry National Review, Poetry Birmingham, ArabLit Quarterly, among several others.
“My achievements at Al-Wadi, and beyond, only became a reality thanks to the teachers who would often sacrifice their own lunch breaks to clarify any questions or doubts I had,” said Reem. “My academic success is the fruit of their patience and dedication to their work.”