At the end of 4th ESO, the last year of secondary school, I wondered where I wanted to direct my future. It was clear that the humanities were my thing, but… could I settle for a social baccalaureate with subjects I didn’t like? Even if I did this baccalaureate, what did I want after that? Where did I want to go?
One day an acquaintance came to me and told me that he was going to try the International Baccalaureate (IB). I remember being in the car when he told me, looking up an alumni interview on youtube and telling my mom «this is it…this is what I want to do». What I liked about what the program offered was that it allowed me to take two baccalaureates at the same time; the IB but also the National Baccalaureate, so I could get a dual degree and not miss out on anything from either program.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is a rigorous and comprehensive two-year educational program designed for students aged 16 to 19. It is one of the programs offered by the International Baccalaureate organization and is recognized globally for its academic excellence and emphasis on developing critical thinking, international-mindedness, and holistic skills. Here’s how the IB Diploma Program functions:
The IBDP includes three core components that all students are required to complete:
– Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This course explores the nature of knowledge and encourages students to think critically about the ways in which knowledge is acquired, evaluated, and applied across different disciplines.
– Extended Essay (EE): Students conduct independent research on a topic of their choice and write a 4,000-word essay. This helps them develop research, writing, and analytical skills.
– Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): CAS requires students to engage in creative, physical, and service-oriented activities outside the classroom. This component emphasizes experiential learning, personal growth, and community service.
It has not been a bed of roses but you see, many hours of study later I have managed to obtain the double degree.
The IB has opened the door for me to now be studying in another country for an international degree, so I couldn’t be more grateful for having made the decision to take it.