Alumni Spotlight: Anis Idrizović
From Montenegro to Cutting-Edge Optics and Lasting UWC Connections
Anis graduated from UWC Robert Bosch College in 2018 as part of the third generation of students. Originally from Montenegro, his journey with UWC began from a place of restlessness and a desire for more. “I was very happy in my high school, but it was a pretty conservative, uninspired environment where I didn’t feel I had a platform to engage or grow,” he recalls. Discovering UWC through a Google search and local alumni, Anis was drawn to RBC primarily because of its pioneering focus on sustainability, a cause close to his heart even then, and its beautiful setting in Freiburg.
Upon arriving, Anis admits the experience was different than expected, but in the best possible way. “I felt like I was thrown into deep water, pulled out of my comfort zone, but in a safe and supportive environment that allowed me to grow.” Some of his fondest memories include casual strolls and deep conversations during hikes with friends, reflecting on big issues and diverse perspectives – a hallmark of the UWC spirit. One particularly symbolic moment was climbing a boulder after IB exams with friends who had once been strangers but had become like siblings and confronting his fear of heights.
Finding his passion in optical engineering
After RBC, Anis pursued optical engineering at the University of Rochester in the US, eventually shifting to a PhD focusing on high-precision eye tracking, studying how tiny eye movements, often unnoticed, are key to human vision. “It’s fascinating that our eyes never stop moving to induce change so our brains can interpret the world. It’s far from a simple camera; it’s a complex, dynamic system,” he explains passionately. Anis credits his UWC experience for preparing him to work and thrive in diverse, interdisciplinary environments. “Navigating a multicultural academic setting is much easier because of UWC. It taught me to communicate clearly, be sensitive, and embrace discomfort as part of growth.” He also enjoys fostering community, organizing cultural baking gatherings that bring people from different backgrounds together, an experiment in connection inspired by his UWC values.
Future dreams and reflections
Looking ahead, Anis is still exploring where life will take him. Returning to Montenegro isn’t currently an option due to limited optics industry, but he dreams of combining his expertise in optics with sustainability, perhaps designing technologies to tackle environmental challenges like ocean plastic detection or coral reef health.
If he could give his younger self advice, it would be to realize that maintaining friendships and community after UWC is in one’s own hands. “It’s something I wish I knew, relationships don’t just magically last, you must put in the effort. Also, gentleness and listening are key when stepping out into the world. Being aggressive about your values isn’t always the most effective.”
Anis’s story is a vivid example of how the UWC experience can ignite passion, resilience, and lifelong connections that fuel meaningful work and personal growth across the globe.
