Alumni Profile: Isobel Glass '17

Q+A with Isobel Glass ’17

Isobel Glass attended GUS for grades four through eight. After GUS, she attended Phillips Andover Academy, where she graduated in 2021. Currently, she is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, where she’s a member of the women’s soccer team, a Paideia Fellow, and a member of the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal, among others!

What was one of your most meaningful or memorable GUS experiences?

When I look back on my GUS experience, the most memorable moments that I immediately think of are all of the awesome field trips and the 8th grade service week trip to Monte Criste, Dominican Republic. My introduction to GUS’s emphasis on experiential learning came in 4th grade when I first joined the school. It was in the "sea" field trips to beaches, lighthouses and boats, to name a few, that I began to really appreciate the beautiful place that I had just moved to. This realization has been something that has guided my life for many years after GUS, always seeking out sunrises, swims and hikes and how I can best share the incredibly beautiful landscape with others. But perhaps most meaningful when I look back on my GUS experience was the time I spent arriving or leaving school, either by car, foot or bike. There was something so special about knowing that my sister Thea and I were going to be greeted by the warm welcome of faculty each morning (on the days we weren't late!) and leave the same way each day. So too did all my teachers in the car line always welcome our big dog Jasper with open arms and treats. I believe this is a true testament to how much GUS emphasizes knowing and caring for the whole person. I felt known, loved and cared about in all ways by the teachers that surrounded me from the moment I stepped on campus to the moment I left. This is something I look back on very fondly and an attribute of unwavering warm care that I hope to have brought into the other communities I have been a part of since GUS.

Where are you now, and what are you doing?

I am currently at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), majoring in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, with a minor in History and Legal Studies. I am on the Penn Women's Soccer team here and am also a Paideia Fellow, a member of the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal and the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy, an associate for the Wharton Venture Group and on the Women's Athletic Association board.

I am off to Tanzania in a few weeks which I can’t wait for. I will be doing women’s rights work in Arusha, all funded by the Paideia fellowship, which is incredible!

In what ways do you feel GUS prepared you for what you're doing now?

GUS prepared me for high school and college in some of the best ways. At GUS I was always challenged to think critically about my classes and produce creative projects that helped me to consider ideas in diverse ways. I believe these ways of thinking prepared me to feel like I could always tackle anything, whether academically, athletically or socially, even if the method of doing was was not the most linear. I also think that the homeroom time, lunches, and overall emphasis GUS placed on valuing the people around you prepared me to seek out relationships with others in all areas of my life. Seeking out friends, mentors and connections has greatly helped me energetically pursue my passions - nobody can do anything alone!

Any words of advice for current GUS students?

GUS opens worlds for you! Take every opportunity to ask more questions and talk to your teachers. Everybody at GUS wants to see you succeed, so be passionate about what you are most excited about and do so with a kind, humble and grateful attitude - you will go so far!

Anything Else You’d Like to share?

It brings me so much joy to still be able to drop off/pick up my little sister Matilda Glass (Tilly) from her GUS classroom and catch up with past teachers. Shoutout to Tilly in 2nd grade! You are the best sister I could ever ask for - keep being awesome and loving GUS!