Elisa - Year 12 IB student
My name is Elisa. My family comes from Guang Zhou so I communicate with my family at home in Cantonese. However, I was born in Tahiti so this is why I also speak French fluently. I moved to Sydney with my twin brothers four years ago.
Back then, I could not understand anything so it was pretty hilarious when bus drivers would speak to me about my bus ticket and I wouldn’t get a single word of it. After about two years, I found myself coping quite well with English but I was still studying in the French system at that time.
Then I heard about the IB. This program literally changed my view on everything in life and I am genuinely glad I am currently studying in it.
So why did I choose the IB? I was originally interested because of holding the title of being an “International Baccalaureate student”. It sounded pretty cool! On the other hand, it was also something new that I wanted to try out, something significantly different to what I experienced in the French curriculum. Moreover, it would also make me officially bilingual. So I gave it a shot. And man, was it worth it.
I have learnt a lot during the two – almost three – years I’ve been in this curriculum and not only school-wise, but also socially and ethically. I have been given the opportunity to have awesome teachers and to develop strong relationships with my few but nonetheless very important classmates. Not only this, I have also had the chance to feel useful through getting involved with my community, thus also preparing me for my upcoming future.
After the IB exams in May, I am planning to study here in NSW in a university nearby (my goal is UNSW) probably Commerce or/and Environmental Law.
Haps - Class of 2010
My introduction to life was very European – my mother is English and my father is Greek Maltese. I was born in London whilst my parents were traveling and it was not until the age of 2 years old that they settled down in Sydney. When I reached the age of 4, I started at the pre-school at The International French School of Sydney as my parents wanted me to have a bi-lingual education – my mother spoke a bit of French and as a bonus it was close to home. I was able to cope over the years, even though sometimes it was very difficult speaking only English at home and only practicing French at school (whereas most of the other students spoke French at home).
When I reached high school, the question of changing schools arose many times at home because I intended to go to University in Australia, so therefore doing the HSC would have been preferable. When the IB was introduced to the school, the decision was made and I didn’t need to change schools.
The IB was a fantastic 2 years of my life and shaped me into the person I am now. The program is very intense but by consistently working hard over 2 years, instead of only working extremely hard before exams, pays off and gives you skills that are well-looked upon to have at a young age and are essential to life; of course having exceptional teachers goes without saying. The program also requires that you are well-organized and mature; if you are not at the beginning of the program, you certainly will be by the end as you soon learn that it is the only way to obtain a grade that you will be happy with.
The IB is not only about work; CAS was very enjoyable and the Extended Essay, in my case, was one of the best parts of the program. You are able to choose the subject you want to write about, and so in these instances they should be pleasant and something that you want to do.
In addition, you choose the subjects you want to do. For example, I selected Physics HL because I am so fascinated about how things work, that I actually wanted to go to school to learn and understand how everything worked around us. I had time for myself - to go out with friends, on holidays and just relax. I also had a job for 12 hours a week which I stopped at the beginning of year 12 and it was only through being very organised that I was able to go through year 11 with this job.
Overall, doing the IB program was one of the best decisions I have ever made as it has given me a great education and essential skills for life. At present I am hoping to study Business Commerce at University, majoring in Actuarial Studies and Finance. This course was one that started to appeal to me at the beginning of Year 11, and by the time I had completed the IB, and spoken to many advisors, I still wanted to do Commerce but with the possibility of an additional IT program.
Visit the International French School of Sydney website for more information on the school.
Contact us here for further IB information.