Our IBDP Class of 2023 give their insights into the programme!

Lucia travelled from Spain to do the IB in Ireland. After a full term, she describes how it felt to arrive in Villiers for the first time.

Published on February 2nd 2022

Hello, my name is Lucía. I come from Andalucía, Spain and I am turning 17 next month; I arrived at Villiers this September for my first year of the IB diploma program.

Being completely honest, I was so scared when I first arrived because of everything I had heard about this program (and because it was my first experience studying abroad in a foreign country). The months before coming here were spent watching video after video about the IBDP, each one said something that made me question more if I was really made for this; I felt like I was not capable because I lacked organization skills and because my grades back in Spain were far from good. I have been doing IB for almost 6 months now and even though the program is in fact demanding, it is not impossible like I thought.

My best advice would be to go into the program with the right mindset, if you´re motivated to do your absolute best then the IB becomes a highly rewarding program!

Rowan joined Villiers in 2017 after moving from America. She tells her experience of IB in the first year.

Published on 6th February 2022

Even though I have only been in IB for half a year, I feel like I have grown a lot as a person and an academic. I was excited coming into school the first day to meet everyone and begin my journey, though I had no idea what to expect. I settled in quickly with only a few minor difficulties that the teachers swiftly helped me take care of. I now feel like IB is a safe home-away-from-home nestled in the welcoming Derravoher because of the connections I have made with my classmates and my teachers.

I was most worried about being able to manage my time coming into IB since I subconsciously believe in leaving things to the last moment - the bane of my existence. Even to this day, I am amazed at how I balanced IB, Pamoja, a situation in my friend group, and moving houses, this could be a cause of the reflections we have to do in CAS which has helped me organise my time.

I remember when I had a horrible day close to the Christmas mid-term, I fell behind because I wasn’t able to focus on my schoolwork. When I told this to my teachers, they immediately understood and gave me the time I desperately needed to complete my work and recover. Some teachers checked in on me through reassuring sideway glances and small talks that I am ever so grateful for. I feel if it were a larger class this wouldn’t have been the case which is one reason I love the small classes. Another would be the fact that your voice is always heard, and it allows you and your teacher to have a deeper understanding of each other, so they know how to help you improve.

Another thing I love about IB is the jumble of different cultures. We are all from a variety of places and outlooks, so it is quite interesting to learn about these countries or interact with someone from a country I’m not familiar with. I must admit, I am jealous of my classmates who can speak more than one, or even two languages for this is a skill I wish I had. However, I have found my understanding of French has increased immensely. I cannot say it would be the same in elsewhere as the small classes in IB permit me to speak more and the teaching style gives me vocabulary and views into subjects relative to French culture and modern events. Of course, don’t take my word for it because I never have nor will participate in any other course for that matter.

In my opinion, the IB course is beneficial to students because it helps us explore new skills; for example, researching, learning a new instrument, or playing a new sport. Every day I feel I become a better-educated person and I can feel myself improving in many areas such as creativity, time management, and academics because of the challenges I am put through every day and those I have learned to overcome. I am so happy to say that I have been able to continue writing, playing instruments, and maintaining a social life while being in the IB programme.

In conclusion, I am glad I am in the IB programme and look forward to the next year and a half to come.

Carl has been doing the IB programme since September 2021, and offers his own brief insight into how it is going for him.

Published February 6th 2022

My name is Carl Roewer. I am 17 years old and have been in Villiers since 2017, when I was a first-year student. My hobbies include playing music, watching films, and going for long walks.

I started the IB programme last September, 2021. It was nerve-racking at first; I had had no exposure to a different kind of education before, and naturally wondered if it would fit my personal way of wanting to learn. The first day felt almost like the first day of starting a new school. The IB in Villiers clearly attracts a great number of new students from overseas, and the first couple of weeks were spent getting to know all these new people. There are a great range of nationalities covered, and this makes for very interesting class discussions. I’m happy to say that we are now all much closer and feel almost like a little family. That sounds a little cheesy now I read back over it, but I can’t think of a better way to describe it!

As well as the wonderful classmates, we are fortunate to have an extremely dedicated, enthusiastic, and exciting line-up of teaching staff that, in the same way that we decided to brave the prospect of a new education system, would also have had to train for a new education system. To me, this shows a real passion for teaching, and this comes through in the classes. I find none of my classes truly boring. Obviously, there are some I prefer over others, but they all instigate to me a love of learning.

To conclude, I would say that choosing IB is something I will never regret, and I can’t wait to see what the next year and a half holds.