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I had a similar experience recently when one of last year’s graduates returned for a visit and started telling me how easy he is finding things as an IBDP graduate at university. While most of their 300-strong cohort are struggling with workloads, time management, a lack of research skills, etc.; he and the other approximately 30 IBDP graduates in his year are sailing along smoothly, taking it all calmly in their stride. And this was from a young man for whom the IBDP was not an easy ride, at all.
The amazing thing is – these young men and women weren’t reading from a script. Nobody coached them, but they said what we say when we speak to parents and students about the IBDP at VIS and why it is such a great programme. The feedback we received from our IBDP 5-year self-study was very positive, highlighting numerous strengths in what we are doing. Receiving that recognition from the IB was wonderful and a moment of great pride. But perhaps a moment of greater pride is when I listen to our IBDP students both past and present, and they confirm the truth of what we have been saying all along. So yes, it is true what people say about the IBDP. It is a challenging programme, but it is also very worthwhile, and produces some outstanding people.
"...I have worked with IBDP students for over 13 years now,
I am always impressed when I see how they mature over their time in the programme."