“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie

The American International School of Bucharest (AISB) educates over 800 students from 54 countries. On the hallways of AISB one can hear 30 languages being spoken and teachers come from 13 countries to inspire children in their classes.

On Tuesday, November 26, representatives of the various nationalities that make up the school’s community gathered to express their thanks for the many gifts of nature, for their children and their good fortune, for their children’s educators and caretakers, for friends and family, for struggles and challenges overcome, in a way that has become tradition at AISB – The Harvest Festival.

“We welcome students from many countries at AISB and we are always happy to learn and be inspired by traditions of the different communities our students come from. The Harvest Festival brings to all parents, students and staff a feeling of plenitude, gratitude and the diversity of the AISB world. This year we are happy to have 30 nationalities participate in this wonderful event and enchant us all with traditional food from their countries,” says Catalina Gardescu, Manager of Admissions and External Relations.

As parents representing the various nationalities and nationality groups did their very best to prepare traditional meals, display them wonderfully and invite the entire community to enjoy them, students and staff were happy to take a culinary trip around the world. The Harvest Festival was a good time for all to stop for a moment and be thankful for all the good things they have been offered.

Every year the AISB organizes events which are meant to showcase the international make-up of its student body. The Harvest Festival represents only the start of the many

festivities that take place every winter. Soon, Elementary School students will enchant everyone with their winter concert and the community will come together to present the Festival of Lights – another traditional gathering which displays winter traditions of the various religious groups represented at AISB. Through the many community events that AISB hosts, the school aims to offer its students access to the multitude of cultures and traditions represented here and to truly model mutual respect, celebrate and appreciate diversity and encourage collaboration between the school and its partners – the parents.

AISB engages learners in a rigorous and balanced international education, prepares them to realize their full potential and inspires them to be successful and responsible global citizens. It strives to educate its students in a safe learning environment that enables critical thinking and risk taking, engendering a love of learning. An emphasis upon inquiry, teamwork, mutual respect, and collaboration is balanced by sensitivity to the needs of individuals and to their varying learning styles.

AISB was founded in 1962 and is currently Bucharest's largest international school. The language of instruction is English and teaching is based upon an American style curriculum. The school offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate Program from Early Childhood through 12th grade. AISB is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Council of International Schools, and the International Baccalaureate Organization and is recognized by the Ministry of Education in Romania.

Hosted in the finest purpose-built facility in town, a new 10 hectare campus constructed in 2001, AISB is located near the Henri Coanda International Airport.

(p) - this article is an advertorial