Meet Philipp
Meet Philipp Engeli, a 17-year-old from Hamburg, Germany, who’s taking on both the German and International Baccalaureate at Helene-Lange-Gymnasium. With most of his coursework delivered in English, he finds the academic challenge both rigorous and rewarding—an ideal preparation for his ambition to study IT and cybersecurity at ETH Zurich. He dreams of harnessing technology to make a positive impact, believing that cybersecurity can protect information and ultimately improve people’s lives.
But Philipp isn’t just about computers and code. His creative side shines through in his love for music. A dedicated pianist, he enjoys experimenting with live looping and beatboxing in his free time—proof that technology and artistry can coexist. Philipp is also intrigued by how computers work at the hardware level, and although he’s tried his hand at coding, he’s eager to dive deeper into programming and all its possibilities.
For balance, Philipp keeps active through jogging and pull-up challenges, reflecting a holistic approach to personal growth. Physical fitness, to him, is a chance to clear his mind and stay motivated. Just as he embraces new challenges in IT, he views exercise as another arena to push himself beyond what he thought possible.
Philipp’s journey as a leader took a leap forward at ISLI, where the welcoming energy and open-minded community encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone. He soon realized that meeting new people, exploring unfamiliar ideas, and showing his true self could open doors he never knew existed. One highlight was discovering his knack for public speaking, a skill he credits to ISLI’s supportive atmosphere. It was also at ISLI that he learned to trust both his abilities and his team’s strengths: “Only when you believe in yourself and your team can you achieve almost anything.”
Yet Philipp’s aspirations stretch beyond academic success and physical challenges. He’s determined to bring more happiness and kindness into the world, whether that means making people laugh, offering a helping hand, or leading by example. His philosophy is simple: show up authentically, embrace feedback, and seize every opportunity to learn—both in the digital world and beyond. With his tech-savvy mind, musical pursuits, and commitment to uplifting others, Philipp is set on inspiring those around him to reach for their goals and step boldly into the future.
