World Link
Connect with
World Link
FacebookInstagram
  • Home
  • About Us
    • World Link Staff and Coordinators
    • Contact Us
  • Students
  • Families
    • Hosting Opportunities
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Resources for Current Host Families
  • Schools
  • Career Education
    • Cultivatoria
  • Opportunities
    • Host a Student
    • Become a Local Coordinator
    • Exchanges for American Students
    • Volunteer with World Link Students
  • Impact
    • Alumni Highlights

Alumni Update – The Hajiyeva Sisters

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)

Gulnar Hajiyeva

“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)

Asmar Hajiyeva

“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.

More Stories

  • Mentoring a Displaced Teen for Project Krylati
  • In Times of War, Mobilizing 100,000 Volunteers in Ukraine
  • Our Yellow Submarine – Reggie’s Sleepout 2022
  • World Link’s Top 10 GYSD 2022 Projects
  • World Link #IEW2021 Competition Finalists Highlights
  • World Link’s 2nd Annual Kindness Cookies Project
  • Top of the Top! Reggie’s At-Home Event 2021
  • UN SDG #5: Working Towards Gender Equality
  • World Link Kindness Cookies Service Project
  • World Link Youth Representing Local Youth

Search Stories

Address: 905 M Avenue, Kalona, Iowa, USA 52247 | Toll Free Telephone: 877-656-4590 | e-mail: exchange@worldlinkinc.org

© 2015 World Link. Inc, | All Rights Reserved | Website Design by Sumy Designs, LLC