Dhahran British Grammar School Alumni
Students that left in 2007
Jenny Armstrong
When did you attend the school?
I was in the school from 2004 to 2007. I finished my GCSE’s at the school.
Where are you now?
I am now in South Africa in St. Johns College. It is great I really am enjoying it here. I really do miss DBGS but anyway I have great memories.
Where are you studying or working?
I am studying in St. Johns College in South Africa
What are you hoping to do in the future?
I am hoping to become a teacher. I really enjoy working with children. I would really love to go back to the Middle East and teach there. But right now I want to finish my A-levels and I will see how things go.
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Well, I have done my D of E bronze and I am hoping that do my Silver but with the South African version of D of E. I really miss the school and I hope that DBGS is the same.
Samantha Botha
Attended from 2005 to 2007
Where are you now?
At the moment I am in Cape Town, South Africa... Don't really have a "home" at the moment, as I'm moving around alot, staying with different people etc.
Which school/university/company etc are you with?
I'm not in school right now, I'm actually working for a company called Fundamo. It's a global mobile banking company... it's amazing. I'm working as an intern in the business development and marketing department, got my first pay cheque yesterday! It was the coolest thing ever =P I won't tell you how much it is.... but yes, it was good to know that I had earned it myself.
What are you studying or what job are you doing?
I'm helping with work such as writing reports, making presentations, looking at future developments, sitting in on meetings where they discuss PR, growth, strategy etc, talking with other people that work here.... there are many different people here. Ranging from head of business development, to Financial Director, to Developers and the like.. they are all very nice people =) The company is rolling out mainly in Africa, with platforms in places like Ghana, Ivory Coast and Camaroon... but they also have platforms in South America, namely Brazil, Europe, and the US. They have partners in the middle east as well, and major plans in action in Pakistan with a partner there. It's all very interesting. One of the main things they are looking into is ending poverty with your phone... thats the general idea. So many people in developing countries have no access to any formal bank facilities, so saving money, taking out loans, safety and things like that are basic, if even present, in these places. Now because influx of mobile phones into these areas has been at such a high rate for the last couple of years, it seems only natural that offering a mobile banking choice to consumers is the way forward. They have successfully done it in Kenya with a system called M-PESA, and its with this idea thay they are striving to entre new and interesting markets. It means these people who previously had no access, can now save money, send it to each other over the network service as an SMS (which in these areas is very important, seeing as the father often times works very far away from the family to make money and send it home) and security increases dramatically, as people are no longer required to carry around money with them in hand.
What are your plans for the future?
Plans for the future... well as things are at the moment, I will be working here for a while longer, then start at St. Johns college in Johannesburg in January. Studying things like Math, Economics, Phsycology etc... Im thinking of taking 4 subjects the first year, then finishing with 5 A levels... but we will se how things go. After that I'm aiming at going to the US to study Business.... Now whether that will happen still remains to be seen, but a girl can dream can't she?
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Enjoy the time you are having, because it is not going to last forever, and learn as much as you can. Listen to people, not only teachers, and take in the things you think are useful, because you WILL need them in the furture. Work hard.. but at the same time, have a wonderful time because you need it. Dream big, because without dreams we are nothing, and to quote someone very special to me...
"Change is that moment of freedom when anything is possible." - Aletha Ling
Living in Saudi there is always lots of change happening... use that to your advantage and make me, the rest of the world, and most importantly yourself, proud!
Thats what I have to say on that ^_^ Other than that, South Africa is beautiful and diverse as always. I really miss Saudi though, especially the people. I hope everything over on that side is as you would like them to be.
Natalie Ciesco
When did you attend the school ... From .... To ....
I attended the school from year 6 (2001) to year 11 (2007)
Where are you now?
I am in Wem, Shropshire, England living with my auntie and uncle.
Where are you studying or working?
I’m studying at Thomas Adams Sixth Form College, and I’m studying media, drama, sociology and English language. I have also been entered for the general studies exam.
What are you hoping to do in the future?
I am hoping to go to a university in the west midlands or north west, and study drama, and do some course for teaching. I don’t know all the technical stuff, I’ll learn that when I need to! I also want to do loads of traveling (thanks mum and dad! I’m kidding) and at college they advertise gap year projects in Africa and South America and I would really like to do one of those. I would like to become a drama teacher, don’t know what age to teach yet... A level is quite good. I want to do the 'fun' side of drama, like the acting side and the improvisation, not the boring theory or anything like that. I would really like to live in Australia or somewhere not England! I wouldn’t mind coming back to Saudi for a short while, as DBGS is in need of a drama teacher! I would have loved to have done drama GCSE.... I don’t want to deprive others, although by the time I’m teaching, and saved the money to go to Saudi, it will be oooooo 10 years!! Might want to find one in the meantime!
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Erm...this is quite hard. About me or in general? Do Duke of Edinburgh or something like that. I’m currently doing D of E and Millennium Volunteers and it all looks so good on your CV and if you have anything like that and the other person doesn’t ... you have the job! I’m doing Gold at the uno momento and its quite hard. I have a navigating trip coming up on the 1st of December! Winter in England, in a forest or something! I will be FREEZING! I’m already cold. Oh well...all for a good cause. I’m on a football and hockey team and they are both brilliant, and they also go towards D of E (skill and physical).
Special memories of the school
Ooooo too many! I tried to get involved in everything like poetry competitions, sports tournaments, school productions... all sorts. I loved going to DBGS. Bet half the kids there think I’m mental, and I am, but the school isn’t as bad as you think. I met so many different people. I’m the only person in my class who has mates in Saudi, Australia, South Africa to name a few... and they are all so jealous. OK then... back to the memories thing. Er... the French trip was a amazing... good ol' Hotel du Parc. Mr Sneider I will NEVER forget that... thank you! D of E camps... it took me an hour to boil a handful of pasta... and it was still nasty! Me falling off the bike a billion times, sprinkler AAAHHHH!!! The school productions and assemblies, trips to the ice rink, English trips to Bahrain, bowling... and then there’s the actual lessons at school and the legend common room. All teachers will remain with me forever, but some have left a permanent mark on me! I also remember in geography lessons, when it was the end of the term, Mr Power would set up little challenges and they got so competitive!! I loved them... I loved everything! Loads of funny ones... too many to type!
If you send a photograph of yourself, we can post it with your entry.
I chose this picture, as it shows me being myself... a wally. That’s how people will remember me!
FROM NAT X X X
5 November 2007
Ali Arda Ersoz
Attended from January 1999 to June 2007. He is now at Concord College in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Ali is currently studying for A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Economics, Physics and AS English Lang/Lit
What are your plans for the future?
At the moment, I am aiming to get a degree in Aerospace and Aeronautics Engineering and then going on to do investment banking. Although this is highly likely to change within the month :). After that, who knows?
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
The people that I met and the atmosphere that I had found in DBGS was truly unforgettable. My years there were unique and some of the best of my life. I believe I owe a lot to this school and the people that were there with me. I will carry my DBGS experience with me for the rest of my life.
Wish I was there right now hehehe.
Jaco Langenhoven
Attended 2005 - 2007
Where are you now?
I am in South Africa. The land of the world rugby CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!
Have a jol as they say here. Just having fun. In January 2008 I will be starting with A-levels
Where are you studying or working?
I am attending one of the top schools in the country St John's College, doing A-levels. I am a boarder in Johannesburg. I am playing to do Geography and Maths (Pure and Statistics) for those of you who remember: WARNING WARNING!! We love u Mrs Chambers!!!. I am also going to do either Biology or Computing (ICT).
What are you hoping to do in the future?
I am planning never to sit behind a desk to earn my paycheck. I am going to go into tourism: fishing, hunting, site-seeing etc. You call me tell me where you want to go and I will plan your whole holiday and also be your tour guide. Guinness isn't it? haha
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Ummm at the moment ( November 2007 ) i am having back problems and have no idea whats wrong....!!! I've been to the doctors 3 times this week....X-rays, Blood tests, MRI scan CT scan - nothing yet....and by now it's starting to get scary that there might be something serious wrong...
Other than that.... enjoy your time at DBGS....you only realise how much fun it was...and how much you actually liked those teachers you said you didnt....cherish every moment...every memory...and never loose contact with those friends in your class....
Those trips with Mr H.... GO ON THEM!!!! You will never regret it!!!! i would leave school here just to go on one....especially the one in 2008.....EVEREST base camp!!!!
Special memories of the school
Oh there are too many of those!!!!
- Natalie's moments!! 'I can smell with my eyes!!!'
- Registration with Mr Wade!!!
- P.E. Netball!!!! hahaha The guys team ruled!!!!!! Ladies you have to admit after we got a hang of the rules...we were pretty amazing....thrashing you!!!!!
There are to many to put down on this page...you'd be reading for years...hahaha
I love you guys!!! Every one who was there when I was!!!!
Fowzia Mahmood
Attended from year 7 (2002) To year 11 (2007)
Where are you now?
...still in Saudi
Where are you studying or working?
St Christopher's, Bahrain - I'm taking English Literature, Media Studies, Geography and Maths
What are you hoping to do in the future?
I'm hoping to go to university, a good one perhaps, to study 
something..interesting such as geography or media...in London most likely.
I'm also really keen to travel the rest of the world (eg road trip the US, discover South America, vacation to Australia..)
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Enjoy the campus, and the cafeteria...oh and of course Joffery's..you will surely miss it - mark my words.
Special memories of the school
About 80% of my memories in DBGS was considered special (20% being work) but a few of the best were: sports days, China Climb, supporting the sports teams in tornaments (eg U16), ICT lessons (yr8-9), and the people.
Oh and if you're wondering, the pictures are that of my valuable time spent in the school during my gcse study leave...
Mark Szoboszlay
Attended from 2004 to 2007
Where are you now?
I am in Switzerland!! Next to the beautiful mountains, close to Geneva!!
Where are you studying or working
I am attending one of the top schools in the country, College Du Léman!! It is amazing school where you have a chance to achieve what you want but at the same time you can have so much fun! I am doing the killing course called IB, where I am taking 3 higher levels which are History, Economics and English A2 and I am taking 3 standard levels which are Hungarian A1, Maths, and Chemistry.
What are you hoping to do in the future?
Its quite hard to talk about future hopes, I am planning to apply to some of the top universities next year like LSE, Cambridge and so on and hope that one of them will take me. Than I want to start working for a company, and if possible travel around with that company. Than after knowing what to do I want to set up my own business and try to have as much fun as possible.
Anything else you would like to tell readers?
Yeah! People think IB is like GCSE because you still have to take 6 subject while with A-levels you specialise... BUT ITS NOT!! Believe me I have a Korean friend who did 3 or 4 A-levels in one year (half term he did AS than end of the year he did A) than next year he did 3 APs and now he is into IB and he told me that IB is as hard as finishing A levels in one year!! Oh yeah and the other thing.. if you have a chance become a boarder and come to switzerland!!! Its amazing, we check out on weekend go skiing, travell around Europe, have as much fun!!
Other than that..!! Enjoy DBGS as much as possible and don't worry about GCSEs as much as possible, until you reach the deadlines you are fine! And try and go on all Mr. H. trip!! They are amazing, I went to India with him, then to Borneo, Malaysia than last year to China!! And I really wanted to go this years too, but I couldnt :(...
Special memories of the school
Here are some which I just remembered!!
Registration with Mr Wade!!! Guys its time to gooo... learn something new!
When Saad got his report and next day came to school and asked all the teachers to improve his grade!
Netball againts girls!
Usman being Canadian one time and Pakistani at another time!
Playing DJ keyboard in Music lesson 24/7.
Mr Banks ICT lessons
Working in Mercedes-Benz for a week
And there are so many more I just don't have the time to write all of them down
Anything else you would like to tell readers about DBGS?
I want to thank all the teachers that fought with me in year 8, year 9 to improve my English and for all the teachers who helped me through GCSE!! DBGS was a nice place to learn english and get use to the english education system!! and its the only place which has such an amazing climbing walll!!!!!!!!!!!!
