TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
ISB Pathways
Storybook
Introduction
TheHighSchooliswherelearningculminatesatISB,andthe timewhenourstudentsusetheirknowledge,skills,and experiencesgainedsofartoshapetheirpathsintowhatthey envisionfortheirfuture.Tosupporteachlearnerontheirjourney, our High School offers multiple pathways to success, empoweringstudentswithasenseofindependence,personal choice,andthefreedomtoflourishbothinsideandoutsidethe classroom.
AllstudentswhomeetthecreditrequirementsatISBwill graduatewithaUSHighSchoolDiploma.InadditiontotheirHigh SchoolDiploma,studentsmayseekexternalcertificationsto enablethemtoaccessthepost-secondaryeducationoftheir choice.AmongstthesequalificationsareAdvancedPlacement (AP)andBTECCourses,andtheInternationalBaccalaureate(IB) DiplomaProgramme.
ThisdocumentaimstoprovidekeyfactsaboutthesethreeHigh SchoolGraduationPathways,toinformstudentsandparents aboutthebenefitsofeachprogrammeandtohelpinformtheir decisionmaking.Weknowthatchoosingwhatprogrammeto studyisanimportantanddifficultchoicethatoftengoes beyondkeyfactsandstatistics.Thus,tooffersomeinsightinto whatstudentscanexpectwhenfollowingthesepathways,we interviewedstudentsandfacultyabouttheirexperiences, expectations,andpost-graduationplans,inthehopethatwe canpaintapictureofwhatfollowingtheAP,BTEC,andIB PathwaysfeellikeatISB.
WewishourHighSchoolstudentsbestofluckintheirstudies!
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ISBGraduation Pathways
TheAPJourneyatISB
Academic Performance
Rigour
Schedulingopportunit pursuemultiplepassio
APcoursesarecollege-levelcourses,preparing studentsforuniversityandbeyond.University creditisoftenawardedbyAmericanuniversities.
Flexibility
Inclusion
ISBoffers13taughtAPcoursesforstudents tochoosefrom,andthepossibilityfor studentstoself-studytheirpassions.
One-yearcourses
TheCollegeBoard'scommitmenttoequity, togetherwithourinclusivepractices,ensure thatstudentstakingAPexamsreceivethe accommodationstheyareeligiblefor.
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InTheirOwnWords: APStudentStories
“SelectingtheAPPathwayensured thatmyschedulewasrigorous,yet motivating.Theblendofcourses ultimatelyallowedmetosucceed inallofmycoursesasIcouldtake information from one style of learningandapplyittoothers.”
“OnebenefitoftheAPPathwayis thatthecoursesareayearlong. This gives my schedule more flexibilitytofollowmypassions likebandandrunning.”
SantiagoLarez Grade11
“APcoursesshowuniversities thatyouaretryingtochallenge yourself, and help you as a candidate in the selection process.”
LincolnOlthof
Grade11
ValentinaAccorsi Classof2025
ValentinaAccorsi Grade12
ValentinaAccorsi Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisValentina,andmyfamilyisfromArgentina/Italy,butI previouslylivedintheUnitedStatesfor14years.Ihavebeen competitivelyswimmingfor10yearsandmyexperiencesin swimmingmademepassionateaboutwantingtobecomeasports psychologistforyoungathletesIlovetotravel,hangoutwithfriends, andread(Ihaveaverytorn-upKindlethatIcarryeverywhere).
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
WhatmotivatedmetofollowtheAPPathwaywasultimatelymyexperiencesandunderstandingof theAmericansystemGrowingupintheUnitedStates,Iamaccustomedtothefast-pacedlearning styleoftheAPAdditionally,asIwasinterestedinmergingthehumanitiesofboththeIBandAP curriculum,selectingtheAPPathwayensuredthatmyschedulewasrigorous,yetmotivating.The blendofcoursesultimatelyallowedmetosucceedinallofmycourses,asIcouldtakeinformation fromonestyleoflearningandapplyittoothersForexample,fromtheIBIchosetotakePsychology andSportsScience,butbytakingAPStatistics,theanalyticalportionsofthosecoursesbecame easierforme.
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
ISBsupportedmeandmyprogressonthispathwayinsomanyways.Bynotlimitingmypath,Ihave beenabletoapplytomanyuniversitieswiththeserequirements,allowingmetobuildmypathway andrigouraccordinglyForcertainuniversities,ifchangeshadtobemade,mycounsellorwasvery openabouttheopportunitiesavailabletome,allowingmetogatherthecreditsnecessarytoapply tomydreamschools.Icanconfidentlysaythatteachersandcounsellorsareextremelysupportive ofmypathway,despiteitnotbeingconventional,anddedicatethenecessarytimetoensurethatI succeed
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Thispathwayis,inmyopinion,themostpersonalisableEspeciallyformydreamcareer(asitisnota commoninterestofmany),theabilitytomixalloftheotherpathwayshasbeenextremelybeneficial Icantakethecoursesthatapplytomyinterestsfreely,whilealsobeingexposedtotheEuropean styleofteaching(IB)aswellastheAmerican(AP),expandingmyknowledgeandstyleoflearningfor universityEvenifformyIBsIwillnotbeabletotakethefinalexams,IcantaketheAPequivalenttest withouthavingtotaketheclassandgetthecreditinthatmannerIamalsoexposedtomanyofthe benefitsfromeachpathway,allowingmetodecidewhichaspectsoftheotherpathwaysIwantto integrateintomine.ThiscouldstemfromchoosingtowriteanExtendedEssay,theIAs,takingthe finalexams,aswellasbalancingthe2-yearIBcourseswith1-yearAPsUltimately,thefreedomyou acquirewhendoingamixedcurriculumopensdoorsformoreunconventionalcareers,allowingyou tocreateyourpathbasedonyourinterests
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SantiagoLarez Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisSantiagoandIhavelivedinquiteafewplacesincluding Chile,Qatar,Israel,andmovedtoBelgiumatthestartoftheschoo yearIreallyamintomathsandscience,butdoingthemalldayis tiringmentally,andIhaveotherthingsthatIreallystartedtoenjoy startingGrade8Iruncrosscountryandtrack,alongwithplaying trumpetandchessinmyfreetime.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhow personalgoals?
IhavedonetheAPPathwaybeforehandsoIknewwhattoexpectOne ayearlongThisgivesmyschedulemoreflexibilitytofollowmypas alsoisagoodpathwayforAmericancolleges,whicharetheonesImo yp ppyg
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
IhavebeenatISBforashortwhile,butIhavebeenabletousetheflextimeinbetweenclassesto keepupcontactwithmyteachers.ISBhasalsobeengoodwiththeschedulingofmyexamsand makingsureanyconflictingexamsareresolvedandamendedschedulesareprovidedquickly
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Inotherpathways,liketheIB,peoplehavetofulfilmanymoregeneralrequirementsanddon’tget thelibertytochoosetofocusonacertainsubject.Takeforexamplescience–Ihaveapassionforit andhavealwayssaidconfidentlythatitwasmyfavouritesubjectIntheIB,onecanusuallyonly taketwoscienceclassesmaximumoverthecourseoftwoyears,whichlimitsthedifferenttypesone cantestandtryout.Ipersonallydon’thavespecificfavouritesinscienceandwanttotryallofthem out,sobeingunabletodobiology,chemistry,orphysicswouldweighheavilyonmymind.
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LincolnOlthof Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisLincolnOlthof.IlivedintheUnitedStatesmywholelife untilImovedtoBrusselsbetweenGrades9and10.Ienjoyplaying tennis,volleyball,andskiingIamalsothepresidentandfounderof theISBHighSchoolChessClubDuringCovid-19Ilearnedhowto makesourdoughbreadandenjoybaking.Also,Ienjoyvisiting differentEuropeancountriesandlearningaboutthem.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
TherewereafewmainreasonswhyIdecidedtofollowtheAPPathwayThefirstwasthatduetothe mathsystemintheUnitedStates,IfoundmyselfnotchallengedinGrade10MathExtended Therefore,afteradiscussionwithmycounsellorandmathteacher,IdecidedthattakingMath AnalysisHigherLevelinGrade10wasthebestoptionforme.ThismadeitsothatIwouldn’tbeableto dotheIBDiplomaAlso,IwasfamiliarwiththeAPsystembecauseAPclassesweretheonlywayto takemoredifficultclassesatmyoldschoolDuetothisfamiliarity,IwasmoreinclinedtotaketheAP Pathway,sinceIknewwhattoexpectLastly,Iamaimingtoapplytomanyextremelyprestigiousand selectiveuniversities,andAPcourseshelpshowuniversitiesthatyouaretryingtochallengeyourself, andhelpyouasacandidateintheselectionprocess,ifyoudowellinthecourses
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
Sofar,ISBhasbeengreatinincreasingthenumberofAPcoursesavailableJustthisyear,they introducedAPChemistry,whichIamtaking,andIknowinthepastfewyearstherehasbeena massivedevelopmentintheAPcoursesoffered,withplanstofurtherexpandthenumberofcourses offeredincomingyearsThesecourseshaveallowedmetohavegreaterflexibility,especiallysinceI wasnotabletodotheIBDiploma
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Thispathwayhasallowedmetofurtherchallengemyselfbyofferingagreaterselectionofcourses formetochoosefrom.EvenifIhaddonetheIBDiploma,Iwouldhavestillbeenabletochallenge myselfinGrade10,mostlikelyhelpingwithbackgroundknowledgeforthoseIBcoursesAPcourses alsoallowedmetofocusmoreonthesubjectsthatIenjoy,comparedtotheIBDiploma,which requirespeopletotakeawidevarietyofcourses.
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TheBTECJourneyatISB
Passion Driven
BTECprovidesopportunitiesfofollowone’s passionsandforourathletesandartiststo flourish.
Coursesemphasisereal-worldapplicationsthrou practicallearning
Authentic Assessment
Flexibility
Assessmentsallowsstudentstodemonstrate theirskillsthroughprojects(insteadofexams).
OurBTECstudentshavea100%passrate.
Flexiblecourseoptionsallowfordifferent externalqualificationsacross2different sectorsand5differentcoursestrands.
ISBoffersanumberofBTECInternationalLevel3 QualificationsinArt&DesignandSport
Career Focused
Future-focusedcoursesallowstudentsto gainpracticalexperienceanddevelop professionalskills.
BTECoffersaprogressiveframeworkof vocationalandskill-basedcourses
InTheirOwnWords: BTECStories
“TheBTECArt&Designprogramme is one of the most advanced diplomasinVisualArtsavailableat the school level. This holistic programmeequipsstudentswitha widerangeofskillstailoredfor careers in the Art & Design industry.”
LinePardoKelm
BTECArt&DesignTeacher
“IfoundBTECExtendedtobethe perfectcourseformetopursuemy personalgoalsandinterestsasan artist. Not only is BTEC well recognised,butitalsohasacareer focusedprogramme,helpingme developmyartisticskills.”
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“BTECSportalignswithmygoalsas anathleteandassomeonewhois generallyathleticallyminded.Even ifIdon’tmakeitasaprofessional,I stillwanttohelpothersenjoysports asIdo,andthecontentoftheBTEC programmeishighlyrelevantto this.”
ValentinaAccorsi Classof2025
AntoineAlmada-Midy Grade12
LukasSinclair Grade11
LinePardoKelm
BTECArt&DesignTeacher
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourselfand anoverviewofyourroleatISB?
IamaVisualArtistandpart-timeBTECArt&Designteacher atISB,workingwithHighSchoolstudentsinGrades11and12
AfterstudyingFineArtsandPedagogyinGermanyand Chile,Ihavecontinuedtoactivelyworkinthearts, collaboratingwithvariousartists,festivals,andproduction companies,whilealsoteachingatISB
Mydualrolesallowmetobringtheskillsandinsightsfrom myongoingartisticpracticedirectlyintotheBTECArt& Designclassroom,enrichingthelearningexperienceformy students.
WhatcanyoutellusabouttheBTECArtandDesignprogrammeatISB?
TheBTECArt&DesignprogrammeisoneofthemostadvanceddiplomasinVisualArtsavailableat theschoollevel.Thisholisticprogrammeequipsstudentswithawiderangeofskillstailoredfor careersintheArt&Designindustry
AtISB,weofferthisproject-basedcurriculumtostudentswhoarepassionateaboutpursuinga futureinthecreativefieldbeitasInteriorDesigners,FashionDesigners,Architects,Sculptors, Animators,GameDesigners,Painters,CreativeDirectors,VisualArtists,andmore
Ourprogrammechallengesstudentstopushtheirartisticboundarieswhiledevelopingjob-ready skills,inaprofessionalenvironmentThinkofBTECArt&DesignastheVisualArtsequivalentofthe STEMPathwaydesignedtopreparestudentsforbothhighereducationandindustrysuccess.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesstudentstopersonalisetheirlearningjourney?
TheBTECArt&DesignprogrammeatISBisashiningexampleofpersonalisationineducation. Whateverartisticfieldastudentispassionateabout,wetailortheirlearningexperiencetoalignwith theiruniquecareeraspirationsandpersonalinterests.AnexampleofthisistheCaféRedesign, enjoyedbyallcommunitymembersThispersonalprojectwastheresultofadedicatedgraduate exploringtheirpassionsthroughguidedinstructionandmentorship.
Throughpersonalisedguidanceandproject-basedlearning,studentsalsocreateaportfoliothatnot onlyreflectstheirindividuality,butpositionsthemforsuccessinthecreativeindustry
AntoineAlmada-Midy
Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
IaminterestedandmotivatedbytheartsIknowitiswhatIwanttodo, andofcoursethereasonwhyIamtakingBTEC
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowaBTECqualificationandhow doesthisalignwithyourpersonalgoals?
IfoundBTECExtendedtobetheperfectcourseformetopursuemy personalgoalsandinterestsasanartistNotonlyisBTECwell recognisedintheUK,butitalsohasacareer-focusedprogramme, helpingmedevelopmyartisticskills,butalsohowIwillmanagemyself andapproachclienteleafterIfinishmystudies
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HowhasISBsupportedyouinworkingtowardsthis qualification?
BysupplyingmewiththesupportandtoolsIneedtostudythearts
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhat waysdoyouthinkthispathwayenablesyouto personaliseyourlearningjourney?
TheBTECExtendedArtPathwaygivesmelatitudeforpersonalisation sinceitspeakstothechoiceofprojectandmedia,whichmaybe changedtofitinwithmyownartisticinterests Independent researchandexplorationofthemesthatmeanmuchtome contributetowardsdevelopingmypersonalstyle.One-to-one tutors'commentsassurethatpersonalisedlearningopportunities concentrateontheaspectsIwouldliketoimprove.
LukasSinclair Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatareyourinterestsand passions?
I’vecycledforaslongasIcanremember,butIstartedtoincreasemyleveloftrainingtowardsthe backendoftheCOVID-19pandemic.Istartedracingaftertherestrictionswerelifted,andhave racedcompetitivelyfor3years,withnextyearbeingmy4thInOctoberlastyear,IsignedwithGMS Glabbeek,aUCI11team,astepupfromtheteamIhadracedwithbefore,andaroundthesame time,Istartedworkingwithmycoach,ZakColeman,whonotonlyisaqualifiedcoach,heisa professionalcyclistinhisownright.
CyclingissomethingthatgivesmepurposeandissomethingIthoroughlyenjoydoingItis somethingthathasbecomeapartofmyidentity
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowaBTECqualificationandhowdoesthisalignwith yourpersonalgoals?
BTECSportalignswithmygoalsasanathleteandassomeonewhoisgenerallyathleticallyminded, assportshasplayedalargeroleinmylife.EvenifIdon’tmakeitasaprofessional,Istillwanttohelp othersenjoysportsasIdo,andthecontentoftheBTECprogrammeishighlyrelevanttothis
HowhasISBsupportedyouinworkingtowardsthisqualification?
Ireceivedsupportinhelpingmydecision-makingprocesstotaketheBTECprogramme.The informationIwasgivenonthedesignoftheprogrammeandtheoutcomesoftheprogrammewas essentialinmydecisiontotaketheBTECpathwaySinceI’vestartedtheprogramme,myteachers havebeensupportiveandalwayswillingtohelp.Ihavealsofoundthecontentveryinteresting, engaging,andtheclassesaresomethingIlookforwardto,whichhelpskeepmemotivatedwithmy academics
ISB places a strong focus on personalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyou thinkthispathwayenablesyouto personaliseyourlearningjourney?
IhadachoiceofwhatlevelofBTECIwantedto pursueandIcouldaddothersubjectsIseeas importanttomyprogramme
IchosetotakeDutch,asit’sthelanguagemost ridersinBelgiumandridersinmyteamspeak (withBelgiumbeingthehomeofinternational cycling).
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TheIBJourneyatISB
TheIBDPisassessedexternallybyIBexaminersan moderators
Academic Performance
Course Variety |
Bilingual Diplomas
Inclusion
With>40IBcoursesatstandardandhigher level,ISBoffersmoreIBDPcoursesthanany otherschoolinBelgium.
>50%ofourstudentsreceiveBilingual Diplomas,almostdoubletheglobal percentageofbilingualdiplomasawarded.
TheIBDPcurriculumisdesignedforstudentswho maintainabroadbaseofsubjectspecialisms
ISBisremovingorreducingbarrierssothatevery studentcanfullyparticipatein,anddevelop through,IBprogrammes.>25%studentsbenefit frominclusiveaccessarrangements.
Ourestablishedprogrammehasbeenpreparing studentsforover45years
InTheirOwnWords: IBStudentStories
“TheIBDPwasaclearchoiceformedue toitsglobalrecognitionandrigour.I wantedapathwaythatwouldopenthe most doors for me at the postsecondarylevel.Therangeofsubjects andoverallchallengeinterestedme duetothedepthofknowledgeand transferableskillsthatwillhelpmelong afterIgraduate.”
KishanBradley-Gammanpila Grade12
“TheIBpathwayhasallowedme todeepenmyunderstandingof subjectsthatIlove,suchas higherlevelmaths,physics,and chemistry, while maintaining interests in languages and socialsciences.”
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NaomiTrevelyan-Shipp Grade12
“Ihaveawiderangeofinterests, andIfeltthattheIBwouldallowme tofollowthemostpathspossible,in HighSchoolandaswellaspost graduation.Thispathwayallowed metotakeavarietyofcoursesthat weremoreorlesstailoredtowhatI wanted.”
AlessaSoairseCandon Grade12
KishanBradley-Gammanpila Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisKishanBradley-Gammanpila,I’mhalfBritishhalfSri LankanandImovedtoISBin10thgrade.BeforeBelgium,Ilivedin Indiafor9years,andpriortothatBrazilfor6yearsIampassionate aboutmodernhistoryandpolitics,andtherelationshipbetween thetwoOutsideofacademics,sportisreallyimportanttome ThroughoutmytimeatISBIhavecompetedforvariousVarsity sportswhilealsorunningfortheRoyalRacingClubdeBruxelles.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathwayandhow doesthisalignwithyourpersonalgoals?
TheInternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgrammewasaclearchoiceformeduetoitsglobal recognitionandrigour.IwantedapathwaythatwouldopenthemostdoorsformeatthepostsecondarylevelFurthermore,myoldersisterdidtheIBandexplainedtomehowitequippedherwith skillsandknowledgetoeasethetransitiontouniversity-levelthinkingandassessmentTherangeof subjectsandoverallchallengeinterestedmeduetothedepthofknowledgeandtransferableskills thatwillhelpmelongafterIgraduate
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
Myteachers,mycounsellor,andthewiderfacultyatISBhaveallbeenthoroughlysupportive throughouttheIBThecounsellingteamhelpedinmycourseselectionprocessfortheIB,putting timeandresourcestowardsmakingthebestdecisionstoexploremyinterests,maximisemy capabilities,andfocusonfuturegoalsTheIBisinherentlydemanding,andattimesoverwhelming, butIhavealwaysfoundmyteacherstobereceptivetomyneedsandtohelpmegetthebestoutof theirclassandtheprogrammeasawhole.Teachersareoftenflexible,ensuringIamabletofulfilmy internalandexternalcommitmentsFurthermore,theyhaveencouragedmyinterestshelpingmego beyondcurriculumandcontinuetodevelopandlearn.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
OnereasonIliketheIBishowyouareatthehelmofyouracademicjourney,allowingyouto personaliseyourlearningoutsidecurricula.EveryIBclasshascomponentswhereyouareableto learnbeyondprescribedunitsandimmerseyourselfinpersonalinterestswithInternalAssessments (IAs)ApartfromIAsinclasses,theprogrammealsorequiresanExtendedEssayinasubjectofyour choice,andaTheoryofKnowledgeexhibitionandessay.Thisallowsyoutocustomiseyourstudy withveryfewparametersandrestrictionsbutwithguidanceandresourcesfromtheschoolThese opportunitieshaveallowedmetogainfurtherinsightintotopicsofuniquepersonalinterestlike monetaryimperialisminWestandCentralAfrica,theFirstWarofIndianIndependenceof1857, AfricandecolonisationfollowingtheSuezCanalCrisis,andidentitypoliticsintheKhalistanseparatist movement,tonameafew.
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NaomiTrevelyan-Shipp Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatareyourinterestsand passions?
MynameisNaomi,andIaminmysenioryearatISBIamfromLondonandmovedtoBrusselsin 2020Iampassionateaboutthesciences,andamapplyingtouniversitiesintheUKtostudy chemicalengineeringIamfollowingtheIBDiplomaProgrammeandwillgraduateinMay2025I amalsoanathlete,andplayfootballandswimwiththeschool’sAthleticsProgramme
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
TheIBPathwayhasallowedmetodeepenmyunderstandingofsubjectsthatIlove,suchashigher levelmaths,physics,andchemistry,whilemaintaininginterestsinlanguagesandsocialsciences StudyingEnglishliteratureandeconomicsalongsidemyhigherlevelsreallyhelpsmehaveawider perspectiveofhowthesesubjectsareconnected,andIknowthattheywillbeinvaluabletome laterinlifeIalsoreallyenjoytheTheoryofKnowledgecoursethatiscompulsoryasapartoftheIB DiplomaProgramme,asitstimulatesamorephilosophicalpartofmythinking,anddrawsideas anddiscussionsoutofmeandmypeersthatalwaysendupbeingreallyinterestingItismyaimin lifetoremainawell-roundedandinterestingperson,alwayslookingtolearnasmuchaspossiblein diversefields,andIfeelthattheIBhassetmeupforsuccessinthisendeavour!
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
ISBhassupportedmefirstlybyprovidingenormousbreadthintheselectionofavailablecourses, andthroughlotsofsupportfromcounsellorsandteachersinchoosingthepathwaythatwasright formeItwasreallyimportanttotakeintoconsiderationuniversityrequirementsandmyfuture opportunities,whichmycounsellorhelpedmetodoTheteachinginallmycoursesisexceptional, withteachersconsideringindividualstudents'needsandworkloadswithindifferentpathways
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation. Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthispathway enablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearning journey?
TheIBDiplomaProgramme,whilsthavingsome limitationsonthecombinationofcoursesIcould choose,stillhadsomuchchoiceavailableformeto followanypathwaythatIfeltinterestedme.Evenbeing abletochoosebetweenEnglishliteratureorlanguage, or between maths analysis and applications, is somethingthatmanyotherpathwaysdonotofferIt wasalsoachoicethatIwasabletomakebetween one-yearortwo-yearcourses,whichisanimportant one
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AlessaSoairseCandon Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself –whatareyourinterestsandpassions?
IamveryinterestedinClimateChange,directingand theatre,ballroomdancing,rockclimbing,aswellas contemporarypoliticalchallenges.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathway andhowdoesthisalignwithyourpersonal goals?
Ihaveawiderangeofinterests,andIfeltthattheIB wouldallowmetofollowthemostpathspossible,in HighSchoolandaswellaspostgraduationThis pathwayallowedmetotakeavarietyofcoursesthat weremoreorlesstailoredtowhatIwantedTheoryof Knowledgealignswithmypersonalgoals,asit challengeseverywayofthinking.
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
TheteachersarewillingtomeetwithmeoutsideofclassifIaskforextrasupport.Thereishardlyever alackofpracticeworktobedonetoprepareforanexam.ThetechnologyweuseissomethingI thinkgoesunderappreciated,asitistrulyincrediblyadvancedThelabsatschoolmakecollecting dataforourIA’sreallyaccessible,andthelabtechniciansaresomeofthesweetestpeopleIhave metThelibraryisincrediblydiverse,andthelibrariansandITstaffarereadytohelpwithfindingany sourceofinformation,withprinting,orwithanychallengeswithourlaptopsItmaysoundsmallbutit reallyhasmadeabigdifferenceforme
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Whileyouarerequiredtotake6courses,andacourseineverycategory(science,maths,social science,languageA,languageB),theoptiontotakeanartsoradifferentsubjectofanyofthe aforementionedcategoriesisthrillingInmyopinion,itisashamethattakinganartstopicisnot requiredbytheIB,butforthosewhoarepassionateaboutarts,thepossibilitytotakeESS,tocombine therequirementsforscienceandsocialscienceandtohavetwopossibilitiesforarts,isconvenient ISBofferssuchawiderangeoftheIBsubjects(ImaybewrongbutIthinktheonlytwothatarenot offeredarephilosophyandfilm-making),andalmostanylanguagetheIBofferscanbetaken, allowinginternationalstudentstotrulytakewhichevercoursetheylike.
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