Fahad shares the cakes out at his leaving party
For Fahad Al-Buwardi, last week was a time to celebrate, but also a mixture of sadness and joy.
Fahad first arrived at Kings as a beginner in January 2009 and, an undergraduate in Law from Riyadh University, leaves Kings after 18 months to pursue his Masters in Law in the UK. He remembers his early days at Kings, “I was living with a warm, kind host family, who helped me through the cultural differences of my new life in the UK. It was different to being a tourist, I really got to experience British culture.”
Later Fahad moved into a flat in Beckenham, where he lived with some other Kings students: “2009 was the best time, I made lots of friends, many of whom I still keep in touch with.”
Fahad was nominated ‘student of the week’, coinciding with the end of Ramadan – a double celebration for him. “Kings has become my second home. The worst part is saying goodbye to everyone – all the friends you have made.”
Teachers described Fahad as ‘charming’, saying ‘his smile lit up the school’ and ‘he was very welcoming to new students’ – Kings will miss him too and all wish him well for his continuing studies in the UK.
He wishes everyone Eid Mubarak.
Binnarae Kim with Kings brochure
Binnarae Kim is close to finishing a six-week Art orientation course at London’s Camberwell College, where she hopes to continue on an undergraduate degree in Illustration. She has a head start on many other Art students in that her work has already been published in the Kings brochures for 2011. Kings caught up with her this week to find out what she made of the experience.
“It was myÂfirst freelance assignment so I was definitely nervous and unsure how my style would fit the requirements of the design brief – it’s a little gothic! Working with James [Kings' Head of Design] was cool though; he sent me some concept sketches, which gave me a clear idea of what he wanted, and a photo of the girl in the brochure to base my illustrations on. Fortunately, he liked what I had done and made some suggestions for some small changes – constructive criticism is important in what I do.”
Binnarae has been living in London for a while now, having joined our IELTS preparation class in November 2009, but does she still enjoy it?
“I like south London – it’s very multicultural and there are lots of charity shops, which I love browsing in. The orientation course I’m doing now is very intensive and will help to develop my skills. Every week we are set several projects, on some we work together, others we have to complete individually. I feel my studies at Kings helped me to develop my communication skills in a friendly community – I miss the teachers and the friends I made there. In my spare time, I sing and play keyboards in a band”
Binnarae has an alter-ego, signing her emails ‘Reverend von Ame’ – where does this come from?
“I like the idea of speaking to people through my art like a preacher does and hope I am able to communicate with the public that way.”
We’re sure Ame’s unconventional style will carry her a long way in the Arts world and wish her the best of luck for her continuing studies at Camberwell College. You can see her illustrations below and in the new Kings brochures.
