Out-of-the-Box Learning and Lifelong Lessons: Rami Ibrahim’s ISP Journey

Rami Ibrahim, who attended ISP in the 1980s, reflects on his time as a student in Cold War-era Prague and how those formative years helped shape his path into the world of hospitality and business.

What are you doing now, professionally, academically, or personally, and what year did you graduate from ISP?

I graduated from ISP in 1987 and continued my High School studies at the Innsbruck International High School in Austria, where I spent 3 years away from my family in a boarding house.

Today, I am the co-owner and CEO of a hospitality company based in Prague that manages more than 20 hotels in the Czech Republic. I am happily married and have been blessed with three wonderful daughters.

What brought your family to Prague, and how did you come to attend ISP?
I was born in Prague, back in 1972, to a Czech mother and a father who was a Jordanian national, thanks to whom I had the privilege to attend the ISP in Prague.

What do you remember most vividly about the school’s campuses scattered across the city?
The school campus was in the Mylnerovka street in the Hanspaulka district of Prague 6. I started attending the 2nd grade in 1980 and somewhat vaguely remember that it was one of the very first years when the school was relocated to the campus (as a whole).

How would you describe the atmosphere and student community at ISP in the 1980s?
We were a small community; the classes did not have more than 10 students. Most of the students were children of diplomats from embassies who rotated from post to post every four to five years. Most of my schoolmates lived in the area and we would spend a lot of our free time outdoors together riding our bikes, playing football, etc. We often took the bus to the city centre, where we would go to the movies, get something to eat, or just window shop. The environment was extremely safe, and we were allowed to roam freely till dusk!

"The general mind-set and atmosphere of the school was in stark contrast with the realities of cold war Czechoslovakia."
Rami Ibrahim, ISP Alumni, Class of 1987

Were there any teachers or staff members who had a lasting impact on you?
I have great memories of all the teachers of the ISP in the eighties, they were kind, open-minded and encouraged us to be creative and think out of the box. The general mind-set and atmosphere of the school was in stark contrast with the realities of cold war Czechoslovakia that trained and expected people not to express their real views and opinions.
 
Looking back, what advice would you give to your high school self? And what advice would you offer to current ISP students?
Being able to attend the ISP is such a privilege so cherish every moment. Acquire all the knowledge you can and use it to the benefit of your community. And don’t forget to have fun in the process!

Did anything at ISP spark your interest in your current field of study or career path?
I loved the library, for me it was an oasis of freedom, truth, and knowledge that developed my interest in literature, current affairs and history. Another aspect associated with the ISP was the international community which sparked my interest in travelling and discovering other cultures.

Have you kept in touch with friends from ISP? What’s the most interesting place you’ve reconnected?
I am in touch with Luisa; her mother is also Czech, and she lives in Prague.  We have met lately, and Luisa connected me with our fellow classmate Manish. I hope that we will be able to connect with more former classmates, most of whom I haven’t seen for over 40 years!

Life in Prague in the 1980s-1990s

What was it like living in Prague under a communist regime during the Cold War?
I was very aware of the difference in the atmosphere and standards between Czechoslovakia and the western neighbors like Austria and Germany, especially in the rural areas. The buildings here were grey, with decades of coal dust and pollution sediments on the facades. I will never forget the specific smell of autumn when people fired up their coal stoves to keep warm, the inversion weather prevented the smoke from the chimneys to rise and be diluted into the atmosphere.  I remember the Soviet soldiers and officers in the country, with all their privileges.

"Being able to attend the ISP is such a privilege so cherish every moment."
Rami Ibrahim, ISP Alumni, Class of 1987

There were shortages of certain goods; as kids we would join a queue outside of a shop without knowing what we would eventually buy! The queue was a signal that it would be something worth it like a mandarin oranges or bananas. I remember it took me ages to upgrade my bike as I was forced to search for weeks in various stores for new pedals, wheels and a saddle.

On the other hand, the city centre of Prague was bustling with locals, the area had shops, offices and places to eat. It was interesting to see the gradual transfer of most of these businesses to shopping malls and office centres in the suburbs, back in the 1990s. Now tourists have taken over the central part of Prague and only a few locals remain.

Were there any restrictions or unique routines that shaped daily life at ISP because of the political climate?
I do not recall that we were restricted as a school institution in any way from the perspective of a student. Our experience felt relatively untouched by the external political pressures, and ISP provided a safe and open environment to learn and grow.

Rami’s reflections offer a personal and vivid glimpse into life as an ISP student during a complex historical period - one shaped by internationalism, resilience, and hope. His story reminds us of the unique value of an ISP education and its lasting impact across generations.