In conversation with Mr. Zabiullah Salehi - December 2022

The former pupil and boarder successfully completed his Abitur at Schloss-Schule in Kirchberg in 2020 and is currently studying business informatics with a focus on data science at SAP.

What is the first thing that spontaneously comes to mind when you think of your time at Schloss-Schule?
He begins to smile and look thoughtfully out of the window...
The boarding school was just a great time! The short distances are great. Living, eating and school are so easy to reach. Everything is just so close together. Sport was also possible at any time, and there were great extracurricular activities on offer, such as soccer, but also many other things! Looking back, the group evenings at the boarding school were also very nice, even if it was sometimes annoying at the time. The challenges posed by Corona were great, and graduation fell directly into the peak phase, which was of course a great pity. I think that made contact with each other different than if things had gone "normally".

What stages of schooling did you have before Schloss-Schule?
I came to Germany as a refugee in 2016. I then came to Kirchberg through personal commitment and lucky coincidences, as you can describe it. I was very lucky that a volunteer I met in Lesbos supported me and he has remained a confidant of mine to this day. Thanks to this support, at various levels and also from many other kind people, I was able to attend the Kirchberg boarding school and grammar school.

What has changed since attending the boarding school?
Probably the most important thing, as I see it, is that so many different cultures live together at the Schloss-Schule. That is a real enrichment! You learn so much from each other. The different cultures and the shared experiences and exchanges also influence my current life.

What have you found formative at the SK? What values, life lessons or other influences have stayed with you to this day?
An open attitude towards other people, regardless of their origin. Also the openness and acceptance of other opinions, without prejudice or judgment. These are the most important influences I took with me from my time in Kirchberg.

What happened after Schloss-Schule?
I applied for dual study courses while I was still at sixth form. Earning my own money was very important to me, which is why I opted for a dual study program. I was hired by SAP in Walldorf as a student of business informatics with a focus on data science. I receive great support during my studies there, I feel that I am in good hands and I really enjoy my studies and, above all, the practical phases in the company. After my studies, I can well imagine working at SAP in the area of development and/or customer consulting.

What stories and anecdotes from your time at the school should definitely not be forgotten?
I can't say anything off the top of my head. But I'm sure that friendships, stories about excursions we went on together and the experiences we had during sports activities will not be forgotten.

What are you grateful for?
For the incredible luck that everything turned out the way it did! That despite the many difficult experiences, there was support from so many people and that everything turned out the way it did. Thanks to the generous help at various levels, I never lost faith in the "good" and I am infinitely grateful for that!

Looking back on your time at school, what would you do differently today?
I would attend more clubs today and have more contact with my classmates. And I would worry less and enjoy the moment more!

Would you like to support the school or other people in general in the future?
My visit today and the presentation on dual study programs show that I am very interested in supporting others wherever I can. I have also firmly resolved that as soon as I have the opportunity, I will definitely pass on the good things that have happened to me to other people!

What else would you like to share?
After just a short time, graduating in 2020, so much has already happened on the Schloss-Schul site... things are being built and modernized. These are really great changes.
And finally, it's very important for me to say once again that I always have a good feeling when I think back to Schloss-Schule!