Alice’s IB Story

Tell us about your background…

Prior to BIS I grew up and studied in South Korea until Year 10 when I moved to Vietnam, and when I first came to Vietnam I was barely able to communicate in English.

I chose to study the IBDP at BIS because it's the most prestigious school in Ho Chi Minh City.

What was it like when you first joined BIS HCMC?

Because BIS is a much bigger school than I used to go there was a lot more opportunities for me like the Model United Nations. It was very challenging for me as a new student, I couldn't speak English very well, so I had to reach out to my classmates and try talking to them a lot to improve my speaking skills. On top of that my teachers were very supportive, and I really appreciate what they did, I would not have been able to achieve what I did without their guidance. I especially appreciate the support I received from Ms Curley, from my English classes to my extended essay she was very motivational and supportive during the final stage of my IB Diploma, for which I am truly thankful.

What were your experiences of the IBDP?

I believe the IBDP has changed the way I think about the World and myself. So in Korea I learned how to memorise the knowledge, but in the IBDP I learned how to think for myself and how to utilise the knowledge I had learned in the classroom. The workload of the IBDP was huge, with the handling of 6 subjects plus other activities like Model United Nations and Prefects. I would define the IBDP with two words, enlightening and challenging.

I had to overcome some roadblocks along the way, such as biology, due to the fact there was so much English terminology involved. Of course covid-19 presented challenges too, meaning we had to study online, it was a struggle to focus at first, but the teachers in BIS were really supportive and helpful in me regaining my focus, as the online learning was incredibly well designed, and I came to love the school even more after the working from home period.

Can you tell us about your non-academic activities?

I had already mentioned the Model United Nations and the Prefects, and on top of that I was involved in the Saigon Enterprise Challenge. I can't express how much these activities helped shape myself, it made my work load a lot heavier than the IBDP itself, but I found myself really appreciating it, and especially as a business student now, I felt that founding my own business as part of the Saigon Enterprise Challenge was a life changing experience! I was able to set up an enterprise with my classmates that was able to be involved in the community, by offering jobs to the less abled to raise awareness to several causes, and it made me feel that I could impact the world with business.

What are the goals for your future?

I am currently studying Business Administration and specialising in accountancy at the National University of Singapore. I am really interested in business and I am talented in mathematics so I chose what I'm good at. I am very excited for this new chapter of my life, whilst there is a level of freedom with university life there is also a lot of responsibility. After I finish university I'd like to work in a global investment bank, but most importantly I simple want to be the greatest I can be.

Thank you Alice, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours!