World Link had the honor of of being the placement organization for two sisters, Gulnar and Asmar Hajiyeva during their respective exchange years. Recently, we checked in with both alumna to see what they have been up to. Read about their successes below:
Gulnar Hajiyeva (2004; Azerbaijan/IN)
“FLEX program taught me that no dream is too big – if you work hard and persist, everything is possible.
As a 15 year old girl from a small Azerbaijani town, my certainty that I would one day go and study in the States seemed funny and often crazy to those surrounding me. Little did they (and I) know that thanks to the US sponsored FLEX program that dream would become reality much sooner than I expected and fundamentally change all my life.
During the exchange year my host family and program managers acted like mentors, helping me gain a new outlook to the world, appreciation for the opportunities around us and confidence to dream bigger and achieve more. All these experiences were the base stones for everything that was to come.
After FLEX I did a degree in Political Science in Azerbaijan & an MBA program at one of the top ten universities globally – IE Business School in Spain. My professional life started with a tourism industry in Azerbaijan while doing my BA and took me to Scotland in the Oil & Gas industry and then to Spain working for the biggest fashion retailer in the world – Inditex. There I was responsible for their Global Customs unit.
While working for Inditex, an industry giant and leader in innovation in Retail Operations and holding the responsibility for Customs operations in 78 countries was an amazing experience, in 2015 I decided it was time to leave the corporate job to form my own start-up.
Now I am a partner in a real-estate investments firm Levatio Inversiones, and managing partner in Unique Barcelona rentals, a high-end property rentals and management company, both based in Barcelona. My biggest achievement to date? A wonderful family and a smiley little boy Rafael who calls me ‘mama’.”
Asmar Hajiyeva (2008; Azerbaijan/TX)
“Having a sister who already was in America, was for me a great opportunity. I had belief, that dreams can come true.
And in August 2006, I began my ‘American dream’.
America taught me, that dreams can come true. Not to be afraid to have dreams, ideas, goals, and to always work hard for these dreams.
After six years of medical university, I am now doing my residency in Germany. Every day I see wonderful scenes, as birth of little wonders. I am on the way to be a good doctor (hopefully), and make changes in the Medical World.
My American experience has helped and is continuing to help me for my motivation to reach the objectives that I have set for my life. I am member of the big FLEX Family and I am proud of it.“
Congratulations to both alumna on their successes since their exchange year. They have made both their family and their World Link family proud!
Are you a World Link alumni? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here or email kristin@worldlinkinc.org.
