Choosing the IB or not?

Listening to the conversations in the halls and speaking with 10th graders, I realized that most of them are in a huge dilemma of making a choice about their subjects in 11th grade. Therefore, I decided to interview someone who is involved in the IB program that can explain to all of the worried 10th graders what the IB is and to answer some of their most frequent questions and concerns.
I spoke with Rina Purrini, an 11th grader student involved in the IB program from this year about her experience with the IB, her likes and dislikes, and her advice to all of you.


1. Can you explain us shortly the general structure of the IB program?

- This program is one of international education in which we can learn how to critically evaluate the facts and the information we study.
- The program is presented by a curriculum containing six subject groups together with a core made up of 3 areas of instruction. The areas of interaction include TOK (theory of knowledge), CAS (creativity, action, service-a total of 150 hours need to be completed, 50 in each area), and Extended Essay (an essay written in the subject that will be helpful in our future interests). This is illustrated by means of a hexagon.
- CAS is a very important part of this program, since it guides the students in the enhancement of the teenage spirit, by encouraging them to take an active part in the communities in which they live, thus becoming responsible individuals.


2. Which subjects did you choose? Which one do you find most interesting, challenging or boring?

- The subjects that I have chosen are English, Philosophy, German, Biology, Chemistry, and Math. The most inspiring subject for me is Biology, since I’ve always been stimulated in being familiar with that area of knowledge. The most challenging one is Math, because it is very amusing and interesting to face math problems in such a way as the IB program presents them, and the most important thing is that it teaches you never to give up. Hence, no subject can be boring, all of them have a unique way of approaching facts that we learn. They are all very different but at the same time very similar (a point which can be noted in the TOK classes).


3. What do you like the most about the IB?

- What I like the most about this program is that it helps us develop the understanding, knowledge, skills and the attitudes necessary to be responsible and aware individuals. In addition to this, it gives us a chance to be participants in trying to change the world we live in.


4. What do you dislike about the IB program?

- What I dislike the most is the fact that the exams are due to the end of the second year of the IB program. However, there is a lot of time left for review and the fear of doing badly on the exam will cease.


5. Which subjects do you think should be added?

- There is a collection of new subjects that need to be added in the IB program in our school. I have even heard that many students pass away from selecting this program due to the fact that there is not a variety of choice of subjects. Some of the subjects that should be added are Psychology IB, History IB, Government IB, etc.


6. Can you tell us how does your ordinary day look like?

- One day of an IB student at school is just as any other regular learning experience, except that there are some after school activities that need to be completed.
The day starts normally at eight, with homeroom, and then the classes follow at a particular order. I have six of the main subjects everyday, and then on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the two last classes I have Graphic Art and P.E., which are my CAS activities, while on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have TOK. One of the CAS activities that need after school involvement is visiting the orphanage. This is usually done from 3 to 5. In addition to this, as the IB program includes Lab Experiments for the science subject, some of the afternoons are spent in the laboratories on the Faculty of Natural Sciences, so that the material studied could be more amusing and seen in practice.


7. What would you say to the students that are thinking between the IB and AP?

- They have to be very careful in choosing between these two offered programs. They are equally strong, and accepted in most places worldwide. However, they have to deeply think about their desires and plans for future studies.