Almost 15 years ago, The Island School was introduced to the African Leadership Academy (ALA) located in Johannesburg, South Africa. ALA is a pan-Africa secondary institution designed to educate and develop outstanding students into principled and ethical leaders for Africa. Students are focused on solving real-world problems and learn how to be successful agents of change through their hands-on and entrepreneurial-centric curriculum. 

The Island School has welcomed nearly a dozen ALA students and educators to campus, where they learn alongside our community and are immersed in a whole new ecosystem. Due to the strict travel restrictions put in place by COVID-19, traveling from Johannesburg to Eleuthera became challenging and put a pause on the partnership. When ALA student Ahmed Joudi applied to The Island School Summer Term 2025, there was much excitement and enthusiasm to rebuild this bridge between two mission-aligned schools. 

Meet Ahmed Joudi

Joudi, a Tunisian citizen entering his final year at ALA, was a standout applicant throughout the admissions process. Described as a connector and uplifter, it was clear that he was already living out the core values of The Island School: he was an intentional community member, both grounded and inclusive; he threaded sustainability practices throughout all that he did and dreamed up; and his sense of place was ever-evolving. Joudi’s potential is unlimited, and our Circle could only grow stronger by welcoming him, while supporting his growth.

During this Q&A, we explored the ways in which The Island School spreads both far and wide, while uncovering the unforeseen challenges associated with travel restrictions and the resiliency of our students:

Q: How did you first learn about The Island School?

Joudi: It is actually a funny story. After being elected as an entertainment representative and joining the student government at ALA, I was going through old emails when I came across one from our former deputy dean about external opportunities. The Island School was buried in that list, and something about the name just caught my attention. I went down a complete rabbit hole; first their website, then TikTok and Instagram, watching students dive into crystal-clear water, but what sealed it for me was talking to one of our ALA teachers who had actually been there. His eyes glowed when he described it, and I knew I’d stumbled onto something rare. Not just a program, but a place that felt like it had been waiting for me to find it.

Q: Why did you choose to apply to The Island School Summer Term? What drew you in the most?

Joudi: I was tired of learning about the world from behind a desk. I wanted to learn in the world. What drew me in most was how unapologetically real it is. You wake up at 6 AM for a run, dive into mangroves for research, and end the day questioning everything you thought you knew. The promise of being pushed to my limits physically, intellectually, and emotionally? I couldn’t let that go. As a teenager, I believe that’s where real growth happens.

Q: Identify a few challenges you anticipated facing head-on during the Summer Term.

Joudi: The biggest challenge will be what I call “productive discomfort.” I know there will be days when my legs ache from dawn runs, when saltwater stings my eyes, and when I feel completely out of my depth in a research discussion. Being away from home during summer break while adjusting to that intensity won’t be easy. I also anticipate the challenge of vulnerability in such a tight community. You can’t hide behind your polished self when you are exhausted or struggling through a complex project. Learning to lead not just when I’m confident, but when I’m uncertain, that’s the real test.

Q: There were many hoops you had to jump through during the enrollment process that were independently led by you. How was that for you? What did you learn about yourself?

Joudi: Honestly, it felt like getting a crash course in real-world leadership before I even set foot on campus. Visa offices became my second home this year, an unexpected training ground for persistence. I learned that persistence isn’t about being loud or demanding, sometimes it’s just quietly sending the fifteenth email or showing up to another appointment after yet another rejection. I realized a rejection isn’t the end of the road. It’s usually just the start of me asking, “Okay, what’s Plan B?” Most importantly, I discovered the difference between doing everything alone and being more responsible, as I managed my time between outings and exams. It wasn’t that easy, but actually leading a process helped me become more organized and disciplined.

Q: What are your biggest takeaways from the application and enrollment processes?

Joudi: My biggest takeaway is that the journey started long before the island. Every visa line, every email chain and every financial scramble, THAT was the curriculum before the curriculum. I wasn’t just preparing to go to The Island School; I was already in it, learning resilience the hard way. The process taught me that obstacles aren’t just things blocking your path. They’re proof you’re heading somewhere worth the fight. When you want something this badly, you find reserves of determination you didn’t even know existed.

Q: What keeps you motivated to continue to work toward touching down on our campus?

Joudi: What keeps me going is picturing that first dive into Eleuthera’s waters, knowing how many sleepless nights it took to get there. Every visa rejection, every stressful phone call, every moment of doubt, it all leads to that moment when I finally arrive. I’m not chasing a line on my résumé. I’m chasing the version of myself who walks out of that ocean stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever comes next. For me, it’s about being part of a community where learning doesn’t just fill your head with facts but actually changes who you are.

Q: How does The Island School align with and support your goals? What lies ahead for you?

Joudi: Finally, my favorite question! For me, The Island School is more than a summer program, it’s the bridge between who I am today and the leader I want to become. 

At my core, I’ve always been someone who creates, from the most popular events that brought Tunisian teens together, to digital stories that reach thousands of people, to community initiatives that actually make a difference. All of it comes from one drive: turning ideas into spaces where people feel connected and inspired.

The Island School matches that perfectly, it’s all about learning by living and leading through action. That’s the same approach I want for my future: creating businesses where luxury and impact don’t cancel each other out, but actually go hand in hand. A hotel running on renewable energy, events that uplift communities, and ventures that are both beautiful and purposeful. To build that future, I don’t just need theory. I need to be tested in real environments, to wrestle with questions in the field, and to live in a community that demands both responsibility and creativity. All from this young age!

What lies ahead is a lifelong project of weaving together entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, and human connection. The Island School won’t just shape my leadership, but it will anchor it in something bigger than myself. I’ve learned that real growth isn’t about climbing alone but it’s about bringing others with you.

A Continued Commitment to The Island School Community

Unfortunately, due to visa complications, Joudi was not able to attend Summer Term 2025. Joudi’s determination to overcome each obstacle thrown his way did not go unnoticed; he still holds value in his Island School journey–even though it looks different. There is power and impact that students gain from a study away experience, or simply, in the practice of being vulnerable in an application process, and in their reflections.

The Island School is proud to have Joudi forever in our Circle, and we hope to welcome him to campus in the future.