Reflections from Our Alumni: Life Beyond NAIS Dublin

Oliver Lee - University of Notre Dame – Business Analytics, Finance (Minor: Real Estate)

Where are you studying now and how are you finding it?

Over the last year I have been attending the University of Notre Dame in the Indiana. I found that taking the IB at NAIS helped me integrate into the US college system really well. As much as I love attending Notre Dame, I still miss the things at NAIS such as the teachers and friends which I had grown close to over the two years I was there. One last thing – listen to your teachers and have fun during your time at NAIS, it goes by fast!!

We were delighted that Oliver came to visit NAIS Dublin, where he delivered an inspiring talk to our students. True to his generous nature, he also offered to support those applying to Notre Dame by reviewing their personal essays and providing thoughtful feedback to help strengthen them.

Marcus O’Leary - UCD – Bachelor’s Degree in Economics

An Irish student who moved from the Irish system to the IB, he has come back on a number of occasions and is a shining example of the benefits of an IB education.

What is a special moment from your time at NAIS Dublin?

Looking back at my time at NAIS Dublin a memory which really stands out to me is our trip to Glendalough for the Geography Internal Assessment. We got to have fun exploring the Glenealo River while putting all the research techniques we learned into practice to collect data for our projects.

How did NAIS prepare you for university?

 Compared to my peers at university who had completed the leaving cert, I felt not only more capable with the coursework, but more comfortable in myself and my way of learning. One of the big advantages of the IB is its focus on project work, through the Internal Assessments and Extended Essay. These help to build research, critical thinking, analysis, and collaborative skills, while maintaining a strong focus on academic honesty.

Deniz Cem Sahin - University of Toronto – Management Specialist

What is a special moment from your time at NAIS Dublin?

  Looking back at my time at NAIS Dublin, a particular experience that stood out for me was applying for and becoming president of the student council because of the support and encouragement of my friends. I was initially quite unsure if I was fit for the position and worried if I would be able to make a good impression in my speech. Because of the friends I was able to make at NAIS and the community, I was able to believe in myself enough to attempt something that I don't think I could have achieved on my own.

I was at NAIS from the Spring of 2019 until Summer 2022 for graduation, starting midway through 9th grade to graduation at the end of 12. My journey involved moving to Ireland midway through the year which was quite chaotic, however, the school environment was welcoming and as an international student I felt accepted very quickly. Throughout my time there as a student, I felt that I really became connected to my friends as well as teachers and built meaningful relationships.

How did NAIS prepare you for university?

My experience at NAIS prepared me for university quite well academically speaking, with the level of courses I took in business, economics and math specifically helping me with being ready for university level business and economics courses. From a personal standpoint I was able to become even more comfortable in English, which I can credit NAIS Dublin for:) and the discipline required to get through the IB definitely helped for keeping up a good schedule and work ethic for university.

Sofia Zaros - University of Groningen – International and European Law (LLB)

What is a special moment from your time at NAIS Dublin?

A moment that stands out to me is when we went on a wellness hike in Grade 11. It was just before the winter break and exam season, so everyone was sufficiently stressed. The hike was a fun experience where we all got to socialise and have a break from stressing about exams. This activity was beneficial because it reminded us that we were all in this IB DP journey together and could rely on our classmates.

How did NAIS prepare you for university?

 The IB program was definitely very formative and helpful for my university career, as from early on, I learned the study methods that were most beneficial to me. Moreover, I learned how to work under time pressure, conduct academic research, and write long-form analytical papers.

Isabella Seale-Mckend - University of Warwick

What is a special moment from your time at NAIS Dublin?

Looking back at my time at NAIS the experience that stands out to me are the football and volleyball international trips. These trips enabled me to travel to countries I may not have otherwise gone to, interact with other year groups and meet students from other Nord Anglia schools. These were really positive experiences where I was able to play sport, travel and have fun. I think it’s one of the unique experiences NAIS provides which I really valued.

How did NAIS prepare you for university?

NAIS was able to prepare me to work independently on projects, learning how to research, reference, and critically analyse information. These are skills which have really benefitted me at university. Additionally, the demands of IB while also balancing sport, leadership and friends taught me time-management skills. At university I’ve found this incredibly important when managing multiple deadlines and outside projects. The opportunities provided at NAIS taught me strong leadership skills which I have been able to utilise at university through volunteer work and university societies. Overall, I feel my experience at NAIS made the transition to university far smoother and much less daunting.

Cian Forsyth - The University of Hong Kong

Looking back on your time at NAIS Dublin, is there a particular moment or experience that really stands out to you?

I’d say it’s quite difficult for me to pinpoint one particular moment, as from school trips to unique class activities, to spending time with peers, there has been countless moments which have impacted me. One experience that really does stand out to me though would be preparing for the Grade 11 mock exams. This was the first time where I felt such a complex wave of emotions due to an exam. On top of the stresses of studying for exams which will partly determine our university application possibilities, it was a period where I feel I was able to bond much closer to my teachers and peers! It made me realize that we often overlook appreciating the little things in our daily lives.

In what ways did your experience at NAIS prepare you for the academic and personal demands of university?

Firstly, I think that in terms of academics, the IB programme is quite intensive and requires balancing many tasks all at once. Notably, these tasks and requirements are multimodal, whereby we are not only required to study class content rigorously, but also create individual or group presentations and perform large research projects. I think this diverse workload has prepared me quite well for dealing with the very busy university schedule and expectations, especially when balancing how I use my time to prioritize what I can place my efforts in to gain the maximum marginal result. Personally, I think my NAIS experience allowed me to work with many different types of people and of different interests, which also contributed to a smooth transition to university.