Growth, learning and impact: six cohorts of Amala in Amman
As we prepare to welcome the seventh cohort of the Amala Global Secondary Diploma since it began in 2020, we asked six of our brilliant alumni, pictured below, to share some words about the Amala experience. From our two current students, Mathew and Maryam, to the two Amala Educators who facilitate their classes, Abdelhamid and Vivian, to physical therapist Saadiah and dental assistant student from the pilot cohort, Ibrahim, everyone highlighted how Amala has shaped their educational journeys.
Ibrahim, cohort 1
“Amala is not a normal learning institution. At Amala, when one person learns, everyone learns. And Amala didn’t limit us - instead we were asked what we wanted and about our ideas, then Amala helped us and supported us to get there. Working in groups and listening you don’t always feel like you’re learning directly, but over time you see the learning process. And then you start finding yourself, and discovering your personal values.”
Ibrahim is now studying to become a dental assistant in Germany.
Vivian, cohort 2
“From my very first day at Amala, I felt a sense of belonging. Amala has profoundly impacted my life—not just through the projects we worked on, but also through the opportunities to volunteer and do fieldwork. This enriched my experience in so many ways, offering continuous learning and growth. It taught me that giving back is a two-way exchange; you gain as much as you give. It strengthened my sense of agency and purpose.”
Vivian is now an educator at Amala, facilitating learning for the next cohorts of Amala students. Read more about Vivian’s Amala journey and her experience as an educator.
Abdelhamid, cohort 3
“One of my favourite things about Amala is the opportunities that you get during your time there, both as a student and after graduating. The pathways programme here is great, and what makes it even better is the presence of people who benefited from the opportunities provided at Amala. You can literally talk with any alum and they’ll help you out, which gives you a push to navigate any pathway. I’m on a fellowship in UNICEF, a facilitator at Amala, a guidance counsellor with UNHCR, and a teacher. All came from opportunities and connections from Amala. ”
Abdelhamid is now an educator at Amala, facilitating learning for the next cohorts of Amala students.
Saadiah, cohort 4
“Coming from diverse backgrounds, it’s challenging to use my mother tongue with students from different cultures, because sometimes it hinders our understanding of each other. But at Amala I feel comfortable to speak my native language among my classmates because I know no one will judge me.”
Saadiah, who recently graduated, is working at a physical therapy centre. Find out more about Saadiah’s Amala experience.
Maryam, cohort 5
“I’m on a journey to enable myself to get educational pathways and university opportunities to complete my university studies after my studies at Amala. In a class with colleagues from multiple backgrounds and nationalities, all together in a safe environment, I can express my opinions. ”
Maryam and her classmates from cohort 5 graduates from the GSD on 28 February 2025, - you can join the live-stream of the ceremony on Facebook here.
Mathew, cohort 6
“Amala is a path to creativity and growth. The teaching approach at Amala encourages us to bring out our creativity and ideas.”
Could you or someone you know be part of our seventh cohort of Global Secondary Diploma students in Amman, Jordan?