And this is how it all began…

These opening lines of Nabil Rahhal’s ‘A Life Story: 37 Years at the IC’ pave the way for a compulsively readable memoir outlining the author’s long journey at the International College.

At the onset of his book, which was first published in 2004 by World Book Publishing, Rahhal offers a glimpse back in time to the early beginnings of the IC as well as to its legal and academic status. The school was founded in Izmir, Turkey in 1891 by the American Alexander MacLachlan, but it was moved to Beirut following the rigid Turkish laws that undermined free and liberal education. IC was known for many years as a preparatory for AUB before the two finally separated in 1961 due to the financial problems affecting the latter.

1964 marked the start of Rahhal’s journey at and with the IC. From a teacher in 1964 to a student guidance counselor in 1973, to a Head of the Middle School Department then of the High School in 1981 and 1986 respectively, Nabil Rahhal stepped up the ladder until he finally became Vice-Director of the Development and Alumni Affairs and served in this position from 1996 until his retirement. He cites the reasons for his entry to the academy as well as the crises he encountered while dealing with the then Phalanges-backed right-wing students, the DFLP-backed left-wing students and the militias that governed Lebanon during the tumultuous Civil War in 1976 until Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. “Those were the unforgettable years of torment and suffering… Reluctantly, we stood our ground and bore the threats that targeted both the institution as an entity and the people running it as a human force,” says Rahhal while outlining the implications that the turmoil has left on the education sector. Non-oblivious of the era of nepotism, favoritism and volatile security, Rahhal conjures up a number of incidences that tarnished that stage: “Among the applicants for admission to the nursery class was the niece of a highly powerful man in the country… Her name was excluded from the acceptance list… The next day, four militants broke into the school…”

He then elaborates on the IC’s Board of Trustees and sheds light on the election and functions of its members. A margin is assigned to analyze the personalities and underline the achievements of all five IC Presidents whom he knew and worked with closely.

The IC Alumni Association is given detailed attention throughout the memoir. Rahhal writes about the Association as a holistic entity, delving back into its history and stopping at its Assembly members and the method of their election. He took great pride in all 12,000 male and female graduates who, wherever they landed, were able to earn high social and financial standing. Among those were high-achieving physicians, engineers, academics, politicians and business tycoons. He later pays tribute to the IC’s Scoot which complemented the role of the college.

Notable personalities such as “Mehyou”, the IC’s Kiosk keeper, “Chawki”, the Cafeteria’s dynamo, and “Elia Rjeily”, the valet entrusted with the cars of teachers and guests are also assigned ample room in one of the chapters.

At the end of the book, Rahhal dedicates his 37-year life story to the big IC family, from the small screws or the unsung heroes that facilitate the work of the engine to the main generator, expressing his gratitude to principals, teachers and students alike. Most beautiful of all are the memories conjured up by the photos adorning the memoir and reflective of a journey recounted in flashback.