In December 2020, we were delighted to receive an update from Kirsty. Let us hear from Kirsty on how BSB has helped her achieved academic success and gained admissions to her best fit university!
Durham University
I graduated in the summer of 2020 from Durham University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography which I absolutely loved, but because of the pandemic I've not yet been able to attend the graduation ceremony in person at the cathedral as planned. I am currently staying with my family in Surrey, England.
Please see a photo of me with the cathedral in the background,
a photo of me completing my dissertation,
and a photo taken at the Geography building in Durham University.
I am now putting my Geography skills to use as Graduate Research Executive in Public Affairs at Ipsos MORI, a social research organisation. I have been working on a range of interesting projects, from Covid testing to refugee resettlement, and workplace discrimination.
My Years at BSB Shunyi
I studied at BSB for 12 years, from joining Primary school in Year 2 to graduating in 2017 from Year 13. It has been a wonderful experience growing up at BSB, with great teachers and opportunities that encouraged my development.
I have always been very involved in the school, in leadership, school productions performances, academic competitions, and it was only because the school provided these great opportunities that I could learn new skills. I think BSB is special because it is so international and has a good balance between academics and fun, as well as having fantastic teachers.
Favourite Memories
I have countless brilliant memories at BSB, but perhaps my favorites are our school trips such as to Tanzania where we did charity work. I’ll never forget all of us singing on the safari bus, I think we had a great group of students and we had a lot of fun.
What I am most proud of is my work on the Social Committee as Chair organizing dances and prom that was hard work, as well as my performances in school plays.
In my last year at BSB, I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and the show was one of the best at BSB that I’m proud to be part of.
BSB’s International School Environment
I think BSB as an international school does prepare you better for the future because it is such a different environment where you encounter new cultures and is more accepting and open minded than local schools. I love that my friendship group is diverse, ranging from South Africa, India, France and Canada, and I would not have that with a non-international school. It makes the school environment more interesting and learning about new cultures is enriching, and having a global mindset is better for the future because our world is increasingly globalized.
Advice about Studies
For my IB Diploma, I took standard level Maths, Chinese and Biology, and higher level Geography, English and History. IB was a daunting challenge, but I think it was good because it forced students to get outside their comfort zone through CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and was useful preparation for university. It made you grow and work hard, which is important for growing up.
Advice for fellow students: Don’t be lazy and leave work to the last minute because there is so much coursework for IB Diploma and it is not easy. Also, be brave and take chances, as there is no point wasting your potential. Take it seriously but enjoy your time in Secondary School too!