Alumna Spotlight: Chiara Dankl
February 3, 2025
Salzburg-born, Chiara Dankl, moved with her family at a young age to Tucson, Arizona, USA, where she spent most of her elementary school years before moving back to Salzburg in 2005. After three years at an Austrian Gymnasium, Chiara decided to enroll at AIS-Salzburg as a junior high student in 2008. She spent her entire high school career at our school, graduating at the top of her class in 2012 and earning the Valedictorian recognition. She was an active member of our community throughout her time at AIS-Salzburg and was a member of the girls’ volleyball and basketball teams for multiple seasons.
Chiara currently resides in Vienna where she is teaching while finishing up her PhD. We invite you to read the interview below with Chiara as she reflects on her time at AIS-Salzburg and shares what she has been up to since graduating.
What is/are your fondest memory or memories of attending AIS-Salzburg?
Chiara: So many! Interesting and varying lessons, critical discussions in European History, Lady Lions basketball and volleyball sessions, having high standards to live up to, meeting so many people from different cultures, Ms. Cerone’s drama class, having breakfast/lunch together…
Photos: Chiara not only excelled in the classroom at AIS-Salzburg, she also received awards for her accomplishments on the basketball and volleyball courts. ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
What were the major factors in your decision to attend a small private boarding school in Austria?
Chiara: We were looking for a high-quality school close to home, having come back to Salzburg from the US a few years earlier. The main factor was probably simply the first impression I had on my visiting day. And it proved true, as AIS-salzburg turned out to be a great choice for my life. I experienced it as a supportive as well as academically challenging community and am thankful for my years there.
What did you enjoy about going to such a small international school?
Chiara: Having small groups in class, knowing each other well and making new friends every year.
Photos: Chiara poses with classmates at the 2012 winter (top) and year-end (bottom) award ceremonies
Were there any teachers who made a major positive impact on your life?
Chiara: Most teachers did, through their balance in encouragement and demands. Some specifics: Mr. Agardy for igniting my critical thinking in an enriching year of European History and for his calm attitude and high standards; Mr. Burns for recognizing hard work and building our team spirit; Ms. Bauer for her positive encouragement and for kindling my self-esteem and joy in writing; Mr. McLean for his humorous discipline and running of such a great school; Richard for believing in me to skip a grade in math and daring to tackle Calculus (and growing to like it); Ms. Cerone for her bubbly encouragement to try something new; Mr. B. for leadership skills.
Photos: Chiara poses at her AIS-Salzburg graduation with Calculus teacher, Richard Brodiansky (above with tie), Jeff Agardy (below second from left), and Mr. McLean (below far right).
What have you done academically and professionally since graduating from AIS-Salzburg?
Chiara: After school, I studied political science and then philosophy, where I did a bachelor’s and master’s degree and am currently employed at the University of Vienna where I teach and am completing my PhD on the connection of society and psychological disorders. A few years ago, I also started studying psychotherapy science and training and am now working as a psychotherapist in a group practice. I’ve been active in university politics and various art projects.
Are there any personal, academic, or professional accomplishments since graduating that you want to share?
Chiara: Probably doing the things I did in general and doing them well. A few random things I can think of right now that I’m proud of: winning a state prize for my Masters Thesis in philosophy (on the effect of social norms and power structures an depression); biking from Austria to Greece and in the Caucasian Mountains; growing to be a more responsible and loving person. In the end, I guess a key personal achievement is coming to do the things I do for the joy of doing them rather than (external) success.
What aspects of your education at AIS-Salzburg best assisted you in further academics, your professional life, and/or life in general?
Chiara: Academically, I received (and worked for) an excellent education, with a broad and in-depth foundation for my later university studies and career. Often university was easy, because I had already learned much about the subject – and my curiosity and love of learning was apparently sparked so well, that I went on to study the one subject, I didn’t have in school: philosophy. Our teacher’s attitude was probably one of the most important aspects in this: Feeling they expected my best made me work to stretch my intellectual capacities and receiving their honest recognition for this, in grades and personally, motivated me to learn even more built up my confidence and self-esteem.
Do you have any advice for students at AIS-Salzburg or applicants to the school?
Chiara: Visiting before applying helped me get a feel for the school. And as a student, I would have liked to realize earlier how much my teachers genuinely wanted me to be happy and succeed – coming to realize that took me a while, after the authoritarian school I visited before AIS-Salzburg. I’d tell myself: count on it that the teachers are on your side and if you have troubles of any kind, pick a teacher you trust and share with them.