Meet Sarah ‘02, an ASH alumna whose High School experiences at the American School of The Hague (ASH) have profoundly shaped her life. Sarah fondly reminisces about her time at ASH, attributing her adaptability and sense of adventure to her formative years here. Currently residing in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Sarah has transitioned from a 16-year career in geotechnical engineering to an exciting new role at Hawaiian Electric. In this interview, she reflects on the lasting impact of her high school experiences on her personal and professional growth.

 

Since graduating from ASH in 2002, I went on to get my anthropology and ethnic studies degrees at the University of Oregon. Ignited by the Adamson's Adventures (the precursor to the service learning programs), my love for travel has continued to places like South Africa (where my parents moved to between assignments in the Netherlands), horse pack trips through the Sierra Nevada wilderness, and exploring through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Japan, China, and Nepal, to name a few. I currently live in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi—back to the Island that I'm originally from. For the past 16 years, I worked at a geotechnical engineering company, but I just recently started an exciting new career at one of Hawaiʻi's oldest and last local companies, Hawaiian Electric. Hawaiʻi is such a popular vacation destination that I’ve been really lucky to reunite with so many ASH people over the years. Reach out if and when you're in the Islands!

 

I came to ASH as a freshman in 1998 and was able to stay for my full four years of high school. I loved playing sports and being part of other activities like Model United Nations, Student Ambassadors, the choir, Adamson's Adventures, A Night to Remember, and theater production. I've been fortunate to come back to visit ASH a few times since graduating, and each time there's always something new happening! How did ASH help shape your path in life? My time at ASH and living abroad in the Netherlands, I'd say, were some of the best times of my life, and I am so grateful to have someplace so special woven into the fabric of my life's story. ASH had a large impact on my life; it was a place that opened my eyes and mind to a more international perspective, to really appreciate opportunity and diversity, and to recognize the unique humility of living as an expat.

 

One of the most valuable things I took away from my time at ASH was appreciation. That is, appreciation for my wonderful teachers, coaches, and the staff for being so involved and caring; appreciation for the gift of living abroad and learning firsthand how to adapt and adjust to a new environment and culture. It's not always easy at first, but it is a valuable life lesson that's beneficial to learn at a young age. I also gained an appreciation for being able to travel so often with the Adamson's Adventures, the choir, and playing sports; and appreciation for the family and friends that I was, and still am, surrounded and supported by every single day.