“Art and imagination made me free”: An Ally Week Q&A with young artist Magda Queta on the role of art in promoting LGBTQ+ rights
After the insightful conversations from last year’s Ally Week, this year’s will be centered around the celebration of LGBTQ+ art, literature, and cinema. Today, we highlight recent high school graduate from Portugal, Magda Queta, who shares the story of her DP Art exhibition, focused on…
5 Ways to Make your Staycation More Fun
With winter vacation right around the corner, we are all very excited to have some time off school! This year is special though: instead of big, fun, action-packed adventures, most are planning to enjoy cozy staycations. And while staying at home can seem boring, it…
Top 10 Most Anticipated Games on Next Generation Consoles
After much anticipation, the next generation of gaming is upon us. While it might be hard to get your hands on the the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles this month (Xbox sold out in most stores on launch day and PS5 stock allocations have…
Top 5 Movies You Should Watch This Halloween
Every year, Halloween brings about exciting activities for kids and adults to enjoy–whether it’s participating in the zombie run, dressing up to go trick-or-treating, or staying home to make Halloween-inspired baked goods. An option pretty much everyone loves? Movie night. Here are some of The…
Top 5 rap albums of 2020 so far
2020 has been a fairly difficult year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. We’ve all been stuck in isolation for much of the time, and because of this, the music industry has somewhat thrived because people need new forms of entertainment. We’ve received a lot of…
Black Lives Matter: A Summer Reading List for AISB Students
We’ve all been following the news about the protests following George Floyd’s death. We’ve been engaging in conversations at school. Many have signed this petition to demand justice for Breonna Taylor and posted black squares on our Instagram accounts. So, what’s next? As President of…
WATCH: Middle School Production ‘Game of Tiaras’ Turns into ‘Quarantine of Tiaras’
The week after school closed was supposed to be the opening of the middle school production, Game of Tiaras–a play about an aging king who decides to split his empire between his daughters Belle, Cinderella, and the Snow Queen. “I’m a huge Game of Thrones…
Ally Week Book Recommendations: LGBTQ+ Picks from AISB’s Librarian
For Ally Week, AISB Librarian Traci Marlowe reviews some new LGBTQ+ books that are new to our school’s library. Additionally, she reminds students that “there are so many books here that feature LGBTQ+ themes, waiting for you to discover, and can be found on our…
WATCH: A Virtual Tour of the DP Art Exhibitions
Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, the Class of 2020 DP Visual Arts students were unable to showcase their work at school. Fortunately, they decided to display their exhibitions at home or create digital renditions for us to view virtually. “Showing the art exhibition digitally…
Quarantine Quiz Show: AISB English Teacher Edition
Believe it or not, today marks the end of our eighth week of distance learning. And while we’re pretty sure you’re sick of all things Zoom by now, we thought it’d still be fun to host a series of online quiz shows, staring AISB’s secondary…
Top 5 Reading Websites to get you through Social Distancing
Call us nerds, but we think the absolute best way to spend an afternoon is reading. And during this time of uncertainty and the 24-hour news cycle, it’s important to find books and short stories that make us happy–and ideally, transport us to a different…
Top 5 types of music you should be listening to for productivity
It’s almost the end of the semester, and tons of assignments are pouring in. More students are seen studying with their headphones on, but does music actually help them focus? Well, here are the five types of music — known to improve your productivity —…
An In-Depth Look at Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The long-awaited finale of the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, will finally hit the big screen on December 20th. The film will bring an end to the ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Here is everything you need to know…
Top 5 Movies to Watch During the Holidays
Blankets, pillows, and a cup of hot chocolate. What a great way to spend the winter break! Just add in a nice Christmas movie, and you’ve got yourself the perfect night. Here are some of our favorite films to help you get in the holiday…
High School Play ‘Brainstorm’ Next Thursday and Friday
On November 21st and 22nd, a group of high schoolers will perform AISB’s first student-written theater production, Brainstorm. Here’s all you need to know about the play, from its backstory to what to expect. What is the play about? Brainstorm is based on a play…
Carving Spooktacular Pumpkins for Halloween
On the 26th of October, PAVEL Service Group visited Fundeni Oncological Hospital to carve pumpkins with the children. Meanwhile, AISB also held a fun pumpkin-decorating contest for secondary students. Here’s a look at some of the most outstanding designs! PAVEL’s visit to Fundeni Hospital Children…
A Look at ‘Banned Books’ in the AISB Library
Did you notice books wrapped in black when you walked into the AISB library last week? You may not know it, but reading material gets banned from libraries and schools all the time (even classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the Harry Potter series,…
AISB Launches Its Second Year of ‘Lunch Lounges’
On Friday, September 20th from 1pm-1:40pm, secondary students kicked off another year of the Arts Council’s “Lunch Lounges.” Seven spectacular performances took place in the atrium, with Stradale food stands by the theater selling ice-cream, sandwiches, and wraps. Here’s a look at what happened: The…
Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas
Some people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we know how hard it is to make time to eat in the morning. Here are five easy recipes you should try to make sure you actually eat before first period. …
Top 5 Activities to Do Before Summer Ends
Although most of us are now craving cooler weather, we still have a few more weeks of heat. Below are five activities you should enjoy before the temperature drops. EdenLand Park Chances are, you’ve heard of EdenLand Park: the highly popular outdoor adventure destination 30…
10 Books that Should be on your Radar this Summer
Summer (n.) rest, relaxation and reading whatever you want, when you want. Exams are finally over and vacation is on the horizon. Summer check out begins now! The library has hundreds of the newest titles to bring the heat to your summer reading. Here are…
Top 5 Anime Series You Should Watch
Are you an anime fan who ran out of ideas of which series to watch? Or are you simply tired of spending hours browsing for a good time-killer on Netflix? If you are either, or both, you’re in the right place. Here are the top…
Top 5 Indie Films you’ve probably never heard of but will love
Despite the serious lack of free time this year (thanks, DP!) I’ve been trying to search out the more artistic, lesser-known films to analyze and discuss. Here are my top 5 that I think any film fan should watch: Capernaum This film is about a…
Eurovision Starts Tomorrow. Here’s why you Should Watch it.
The Eurovision Song Contest is a huge song competition that has been taking place every year since 1956. It attracts more than 40 countries (mostly in Europe) and over 180 million online viewers around the world. This year’s contest will be hosted in Tel Aviv…
Top 5 Marvel Movies You need to watch before Avengers: End Game
The highly anticipated movie, Avengers: End Game is out in theaters next weekend (April 26th). We’ve already provided you with the top fan theories on what to expect, and now we feel it’s appropriate to encourage everyone to binge watch the best Marvel movies to…
5 of the Best Destinations to visit in Europe this April Break
After a long, icy winter, you’re probably looking forward to taking a break from school and going on spring vacation. Luckily, April break starts next Friday! Just in case your parents haven’t booked tickets yet (or you just want to daydream), here are five of…
Top 5 Studying Techniques You Should Try Out This Semester
With the end of the school year approaching, many students feel the pressure to improve their grades. If this applies to you, here are some scientifically proven studying techniques (verified by AISB Learning Support Leader Sean Whitney) you could use for a final boost on…
TOP 5 AVENGERS ENDGAME FAN THEORIES
*Possible spoilers ahead. Avengers: Infinity War left us with quite the gut punch, with half of the universe being wiped out by the snap of Thanos’s fingers. Where did all the characters go, and are they coming back at all? We aren’t sure – but…
High School Musical Jr Comes to AISB This Thursday and Friday
The most successful Disney Channel Original Movie of all time is coming to AISB’s stage this Thursday and Friday after school. High School Musical Jr. is a 75-minute musical that is satisfyingly similar to the beloved movie we grew up with. Play Director Alice Williams…
Top 5 Summer Courses You Should Think about Signing up for
Summer is already knocking on the door (thank God!). If you’re looking for an experience where you can make new friends, extend your knowledge, and gain university credit, here are some of the best courses to sign up to this summer break. 1. Oxford Summer…
Winter is Coming: Top 5 Fan Theories for GOT Season 8
HBO’s Emmy Award-winning fantasy TV-show Game of Thrones just confirmed that the eighth and final season will be released on April 14th, 2019. Based on George R. R. Martin’s best-selling book series A Song of Ice and Fire, the show is known to be unpredictable….
Top 10 Instagram ARTISTS YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING
Instagram is a very popular social networking app, and many of you are probably already using it. The content ranges anywhere from cute animal pictures, beautiful photos of scenery, memes, posts from your favorite celebrities, and much more. And since its main focus is sharing…
AISB students entertain with Spoken Word
This past Saturday, when Bucharest froze, a group of AISB juniors and seniors, together with some teachers and parents, gathered at a cozy cafe to celebrate an exciting form of art: Spoken Word Poetry. The event took place at Seneca Anticafe near Kiseleff, the ideal…
Artists Touring the World in 2019
Are you planning on making 2019 one of the best years of your life? Well, you’re in luck. These six artists are touring around the globe this year (some are even coming to Bucharest!) and will definitely help to make that New Year’s resolution come…
RM’s Mono: The Album Everyone Needs In Their Lives
We all have ways to overcome stress, whether it’s crying, over-eating, or a common IB student favorite, procrastination. But there’s another not-so-toxic method you can turn to: listening to music. About a month ago, I discovered and fell in love with an album that not…
Top 5 Budget phones to buy before year-end
Looking back at 2018, there were some great, cheap phones released on the market. Below is a list of the top five phones among them, based on ratings on popular review sites. Since these are budget phones, they will not perform as well as a…
Don’t Know Where to go This Winter Break? Here Are Our Top 5 Dreamy Destinations
Excited to go skiing and feel the frosty flakes hit your face as you fly down the mountain? Ready to relax by the beach and to bathe in the crystal clear waters and sunshine? Want to go shopping in any shopper’s wonderland? Well, regardless…
10 Must-See Movies to Watch this Fall
As the fall breeze and rainy weather starts to set in, what better way to spend your weekends than watching some of the most awaited movies of this year. Here’s a list of the ones you shouldn’t miss. A Star is Born Release Date: October 5th…
A Look at AISB’s First “Lunch Lounge”
Last Friday from 1:05-1:40, middle and high school students took the stage (or, atrium floor) to perform for their peers, during the school’s first-ever Lunch Lounge. MYP Music Teacher and leader of the event Courtney McDonald (along with the Arts Council), was very happy with…
An Escape from Reality: Gateway VR Studio in Bucharest
Did you know that there’s a virtual reality studio in Bucharest? Neither did we. To get a firsthand experience, The Bite tested one of the few places in Bucharest: Gateway VR Studio. A few weeks ago, we found ourselves in front of Gateway with a…
DIY Halloween Costume Ideas
Whether you’re attending AISB’s Zombie Run + Halloween Party tonight, or have plans for a party or trick-or-treating on Wednesday (you’re never too old, right?), chances are, some of you left it to the last minute and are without a costume. Fear not. Here are…
Netflix Shows to Binge During October Break
Whether you’re traveling during the upcoming October break or staying in Bucharest, everybody deserves to relax after the stressful couple of weeks we’ve had. Here are some shows on Netflix that you can watch during the 9-day holiday: Friends (1994-2004) …
Theories and Conspiracies Surrounding The Catcher in the Rye
The internet is full of crazy conspiracy theories about all kinds of topics. But today, we’re looking at some that pertain to the novel current 10th graders are reading: The Catcher in the Rye. Published in 1951, the now infamous book by J.D. Salinger was…
Top 5 Music Festivals in Romania to Attend this Summer
Making plans for the summer is one of the hardest things a teenager has to do. You want to spend time with your friends, but as we all know, it’s still important to spend time with your family. There are numerous things that you can…
Top 5 YouTube Channels To Help You Study
Do you know how many hours a day that you, as a person of the digital age, spend binge-watching YouTube videos? According to DreamGrow, YouTube is the second most popular social media platform as of April 2018, and usually, people spend at least one hour per…
Fortnite Battle Royale for Dummies
As of January 2018, more than 45 million people were playing the PC/console game Fornite–making it the most popular game of all time, according to Epic Games. One of the reasons for the game’s massive fan base is its accessibility, and the fact that it’s…
Is DP Theater the Right Choice for You?
Have you ever found yourself wanting to explore your creative side and push yourself artistically? If so, taking DP Theater might an interesting option for you. The DP is known for being a rigorous academic program, challenging students and helping them explore material in science,…
Controversial Show ’13 Reasons Why’ Returns to Netflix This Friday
One of the most popular and controversial shows of 2017 is coming yet again for the second season– none other than the Netflix Original, 13 Reasons Why. The TV series revolves around Hannah Baker, a high school student who committed suicide due to a troubled…
Movie Review: Ready Player One
Ready Player One was released in Romania on March 30th and is Steven Spielberg’s 55th directorial credit. This movie is an action-packed blockbuster that has already grossed more than $475 million dollars worldwide, adding to Spielberg’s career-making $10 billion from box office sales. Ready Player One…
Top 5 Rappers Expected to Blow Up This Year
Are you tired of listening to the same old repetitive rappers over and over? Do you want to fill your playlist with some fresh music? If so, then you are in the perfect place. This article is going to cover the top five rappers who…
Avengers: Infinity War – What Can We Expect?
In August of 2011, Marvel’s Captain America introduced the tesseract, the first of a series of all-powerful relics called “Infinity Stones.” A year later, we were introduced to Thanos, a powerful Titan on the hunt for the six Infinity Stones, which have made several appearances across…
The 5 Best Places to Take Instagram-worthy Pictures in Bucharest
Teenagers love taking photos everywhere. Our camera rolls are filled with hundreds of pictures that consist of selfies, portraits and landscape captures. However, out of all the hundreds of photographs, only a number are acceptable to upload to our Instagram pages. Since spring is here,…
Top 5 Apps For Listening to Music Offline
There have been rumors going on around our community that our school wants to block YouTube, which means no more streaming music while studying! Fear not: here are a lot of different apps and software that can be used to stream music offline. But which…
Anime in Romania: Why is Anime-con cancelled?
Do you like anime? Are you an “otaku”? Do you even know what those words mean? Well, here are your answers. What is Anime? Anime is a popular and much-loved Japanese television animation. It was first produced all the way back in 1951 but…
Middle School Students to Perform Musical “How to Eat Like a Child” This Thursday and Friday
The American International School of Bucharest Drama Department presents… [drum roll] How to Eat like a Child… (and other lessons in not being a grown-up). On March 15th at 6:30 pm and March 16th at 4:30 pm, a group of talented middle schoolers will be performing…
Top New Artists To Listen To In 2018
As we begin the new year, so many new opportunities to discover different artists and genres of music. Hoping to expand your musical horizons? Here is a list of artists that might catch your interest in 2018. NF NF (Nathan John Feuerstein) is an American…
Top 5 YouTube Stars You Should Watch
Everyone loves to watch YouTube, whether it is for tutorials, games, or sketches. YouTube is one of the biggest video-sharing websites out there, and it has been around since 2005. But it’s not just about entertainment; it’s about making money. According to entertainment news site MoviePilot,…
The Best Art Galleries in Bucharest
As a young artist growing up in Bucharest, I’ve been inspired by many local galleries and the artists in which they feature. You may not know it, but this city is teeming with revolving art exhibitions–so much so that it’s hard to choose which ones…
The Hidden Talents of Grade 10 Artists
AISB has a group of very talented artists. Earlier this year, grade 10 students were asked to study the human body, using it as inspiration for an art project. Everyone interpreted the assignment in different ways, some using pastels to draw hands or feet, others…
Opinion: 10 Classic Rock Songs You Need On Your Playlist
Do you like classic rock? Well, then this is the article for you. Rock music was said to have originated between the late 1940s and early 1950s, and came from blues. Muddy Waters was said to influence rock, seeing as he was the first to…
South Korean Music: Why is it so K-Pop-ular?
AISB’s Secondary School K-pop squad: a group of girls and sometimes a few guys, eagerly gathered around one bright laptop screen, huddling and cuddling one another, occasionally squealing or singing (badly) in Korean. Firstly, if you have no idea what I am talking about, I’d…
Who is the Black Hood Killer on Riverdale?
Riverdale: one of the hottest TV shows on Netflix that has everybody on the edge of their seats. In the new season, the killer called the ‘Black Hood’ is adding victims to his list every week. The question we are all asking ourselves is, who…
Travel: Top 3 Paris Museums for Art Lovers
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, or if you just love art, we’ve put together a list of the three best museums in the city. Paris is very well-known for its museums and the art inside them, housing some of the most famous works…
An Inside Look at Indie Horror Games
Since the 2000s, indie video games have been on the rise, with some famous titles such as Minecraft, Terraria and Nidhogg, to name a few. But in the US, in 2012, a developer created something that would change everything: an indie horror game. Indie games…
Top 5 Books to Read This Semester
For many high schoolers, reading for pleasure has become non-existent. The days of hastily flipping through the pages of new Harry Potter books and eagerly awaiting “free reading time” has, for many, been replaced with checking the number of likes on Instagram, the numerous summative…
Street Delivery: “The Manifesto of Smart Pedestrians”
Strada Arthur Verona, located next to the Athenaeum, is a street known as a major part of the Urban Culture in Bucharest. It is a street whose walls are covered in graffiti–some meaningful, some just beautiful. But it wasn’t always this way. In 2016, the…
Top 5 Binge-Worthy TV Shows to Watch
With so many TV shows coming out, there is no easy way to separate the amazing shows from the not-so-good ones. Luckily, this list is made to help. Stranger Things Genre : Fantasy, Horror, Drama Rating : 8.9/10 Status : (2016 – ongoing) 2 seasons Cast…
Movie Review: Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049, a sequel from the 1982 blockbuster Blade Runner, was released on the 6th of October. The Action/Fantasy movie is set in a dystopian future. Achieving a score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews for Blade Runner 2049 are excellent. The film…
Top 5 Malls to Visit in Bucharest
As a teenager in Bucharest, there are three main things to do: go to the park, eat at a restaurant, or hang out at a mall. Since the mall is a year-round destination where you can shop, eat with friends, ice skate, play games or…
Belgrade’s Graffiti Culture: A Photo Essay
Graffiti is commonly thought of as the destroying of personal property by scribbling with a spray can. In Belgrade, however, the word has a much different meaning. The people who decorate the buildings of Serbia’s capital usually have a message or cause they want to…
Comedic Play Comes to AISB Later This Month
Image credit: Sunnyspot Productions AISB’s arts department is performing the fall season production of the classic play “You Can’t Take It with You” on the 26th and 27th of October. The original version of the play was written by George S. Kaufman, and was a…
iPhone 8 vs. iPhone X: The Battle of the Best
Three new iPhones were announced on September 12, 2017 in the Steve Jobs theater in California. An iPhone 8, 8 Plus and the highly anticipated iPhone X. Since the presentation, many have been struggling between buying the 8 and the X; however, there is really…
Movie Review: IT
Twenty-seven years have passed since IT gave audiences nightmares about clowns. Now, the clown is back, and with a vengeance. “It” floats, and you’ll float too. The movie is based on a Stephen King novel that was first turned into a mini television series in 1990,…