The IB taught me to embrace internationality…

What made my time in the IB a positive experience

My time in the IB helped shape my academic career as a Neuroscience PhD researcher by giving me the skillsets and confidence to explore and achieve opportunities I would otherwise not have considered. The structure of the IB programme meant that I attended classes with highly motivated students, in smaller classes, with excellent teachers in subjects that interested me.

The benefits of the IB for reaching educational goals

Throughout the IB I was surrounded by fellow students who exhibited the same kind of curiosity and interest in knowledge as me, although often in different ways or with differing perspectives. One of the major benefits of the IB is that it fosters not only diverse but divergent thinking. 

As an internationally oriented programme, we were many nationalities in my class which often lead to important exchange of cultural perspectives. In addition, subjects such as Theory of Knowledge fosters this kind of discourse within the class, and teaches students how to think about, reflect on, and question their own knowledge.

Moreover, because you get to choose your subjects and dedicating some to higher-level (HL) study, you can explore in-depth the topics that interest you. I chose two relatively different HL studies during the IB, namely Biology HL and History HL. Yet, these have both benefitted me greatly in my neuroscience degrees. 

Biology HL laid the groundwork for entry into and succeeding in my bachelor's degree in Neuroscience with Cognitive Science. I had already covered biology at first-year university level in my Biology HL courses, including physiology, cellular biology, and neuroanatomy. Subsequently I had no problem understanding the biological underpinnings of my introductory neuroscience courses. 

On the other hand, History HL taught me how to synthesise, articulate, and argue nuanced concepts in modern history. Moreover, it taught me how to write and communicate complex ideas in essay format. So, while the implications of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles or the Finnish-Soviet Winter War has little to do with how the brain works, it certainly did help in dissecting complex cognitive and philosophical literature, as well as arguing concepts within these areas. Its safe to say, after the IB, essay writing at university level was second nature.

My journey after the IB

All in all, it was my IB experiences that prompted me to apply to university abroad and is how I ended up studying neuroscience in the lovely English city of Brighton, with a large team of international and multi-cultural scientists. 

The IB taught me to embrace internationality, to seek knowledge via curiosity, and how to bring together that knowledge in an understandable and communicative way. I now carry out independent neuroscientific research to understand how the visual system works, and how the retina transmits information to the brain. 

Erle Eide Nyhus

… opened doors for me that otherwise would have been closed…

What made my time in the IB a positive experience

I look back at my three years in the IB program at Elverum with great gratitude.

First and foremost, I want to compliment the teachers and coordinators, which were highly motivating and knowledgeable. Moreover, I enjoyed the small size of the classes, as it allowed us students learn in small groups and to become close to the teachers and close to each other. 

Apart from the purely academic aspects, I had a lot of fun in my IB years, and I made friends for life.

The classes in the IB program are of high quality. I enjoyed the opportunity to go into depth in certain subjects and topics, for example Russian history. The IB program is complex and intense, and if you are looking to be academically challenged, it can be whole-heartedly recommended.

Furthermore, I especially appreciated the opportunity to participate in Model European Parliament and Model United Nations. These experiences opened a new world for me and motivated me to pursue an international career. They gave me skills I am employing every day, as well as friends I am still in contact with today.

The benefits of the IB for reaching educational goals

I owe a lot to the IB program. I want to highlight three ways in which it benefitted me:

Academically

When I started studying, the benefits of the IB teaching methods, became evident to me. The program had taught me how to structure and prioritize my studying, how to approach tasks that seem overwhelming at first glance, and how to work efficiently and to deal with stressful situations. 

These skills became very useful for my further education. Moreover, the Extended Essay process prepared me for academic writing at university level, and in particular the writing of my Bachelor and Master theses.

English skills

My ability to formulate myself well in English drastically improved during my IB years, both my written skills, but mostly my confidence and comfortability in speaking English. It was no problem for me to study in English, thanks to the IB.

International outlook

The IB is the reason why I went to study abroad. It made me curious about what the world had to offer, and it showed me opportunities I did not know existed, and opened doors for me that otherwise would have been closed.

A bit about my journey after the IB

After I completed the IB, I moved to Groningen, Netherlands, and completed an LLB in International and European Law and an LLM in International Human Rights Law. 

After I graduated, I was accepted for an internship for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which I completed at the Norwegian embassies in Tehran, Iran and The Hague, Netherlands. I

 am currently employed in a permanent position for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence at the Norwegian Embassy in The Hague. 

The IB helped me achieve these goals.

The IB offers unique opportunities to explore your academic interests and passions through extra curricular activities

What made my time in the IB a positive experience

The IB offers unique opportunities to explore your academic interests and passions through extra curricular activities. My favourite experiences were the school trip to London and the international Model European Parliament sessions in Latvia, Poland and Elverum.                                                                                         

The benefits of the IB for reaching educational goals

The IB is a great opportunity for students who want to study abroad because you will already be comfortable with studying English-taught subjects on a university level by the end of your IB experience. You will gain extensive academic research skills that will help make the transition easier and you will feel more confident entering your undergraduate studies.                                                                                                                                                                             

A bit about my journey after the IB

Since the IB, I have completed my LLB in International and European Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. I worked for multiple NGOs alongside my studies, and was  lucky enough to be able to travel on university exchange to Ritsumeikan APU in Beppu, Japan. I am currently in Greece volunteering as a legal assistant for European Lawyers in Lesvos. I’m excited to see where my journey will go next!

Before the IB I was quite shy and introverted, but the IB helped me improve my confidence.

What made my time in the IB a positive experience

I look back at the IB as one of the greatest periods of growth in my life so far. Before the IB I was quite shy and introverted, but the IB helped me improve my confidence in public speaking through extracurricular activities such as attending the MEP BSR in Denmark, where I got to stay with a host family.

Secondly, another thing I highly value about my IB experience is how close knit you become due to the small class sizes, which in turn makes for such a great learning environment and made our trip to London so much fun.

The benefits of the IB for reaching educational goals

The IB made applying for universities in the United Kingdom a lot easier. Not only does the IB exempt you from English language tests, but the structure of the IB programme does a great job at preparing you for university, for instance how exams are conducted.

The teachers also have the knowledge to help and support you through the application process, making it all so much easier.

A bit about my journey after the IB

Maria Svartvadet Jakobsen at Lancaster University, UK.

After the IB, I got accepted to study a BA in Film Studies and Creative Writing at Lancaster University, a top 10 UK university.

I’m now in the final stages of my MA in Magazine Journalism at Kingston University in London.

The core values I acquired during my time in Elverum, have proven invaluable in adapting to new places and cultures…

What made my time in the IB a positive experience 

The IBDP at Elverum videregående skole provided an environment that facilitated my substantial personal growth. Combining a globally developed teaching style with small class sizes, and a notably high staff-to-student ratio, the program fosters individual development while instilling essential qualities required for success in an increasingly globalised society.  

The benefits of the IB for reaching educational goals 

The core values I acquired during my time in Elverum, have proven invaluable in adapting to new places and cultures, making it considerably easier for me to pursue my ambitions of international study and work. 

Customizing my course structure enhanced my upper secondary school experience, making it more enjoyable. One way to tailor your course to your preferences is by selecting your own HL and SL combinations. Thus, I was able to prioritise natural sciences, acquiring the qualifications and skills necessary for my chosen field of study, allowing me to enroll directly into the second year of study at my university, while also indulging my interest in History. This created a sense of purpose that made my high school journey feel more directed towards my future goals. 

Reflecting on my IBDP experience, the extracurricular activities I engaged in stand out the most. I actively participated in the Model European Parliament (MEP) and Model United Nations (MUN) programs available to IBDP students, affording me the opportunity to attend numerous conferences within Norway and two major conferences in Malta and Berlin.  

A bit about my journey after the IB 

Since graduating from Elverum, I pursued a master's degree in Materials Chemistry at The University of St Andrews, currently in my fourth year and on an industrial placement with Pfizer in southern England. 

Engaging in debates with exceptional individuals from all over Europe enhanced my general academic and professional skills, including effective teamwork in both small and large multicultural groups with people from diverse backgrounds. 

These experiences have also specifically been a valuable addition to my CV, university applications, and job interviews. Thus, I believe these opportunities, made available through the program, have significantly contributed to my current achievements. 

Edvard at the Pfizer lab UK

I have gained many new life long friendships

What made my time in the IB a positive experience?

The IB attracts students from all around Innlandet, and as a result I have gained many new life long friendships. The opportunities presented to IB students, such as the MUN conferences have allowed me to experience meeting people from all around the world and challenge myself in a fun and unique way.
 

Moreover, experiences such as our class trip to London, where we got to experience museums, theatre, dining in the dark, allow me to look back at the IB in a positive way beyond the academic benefits it offers.

The benefits of the IB to reach educational goals

The IB has allowed me to develop a student attitude that is beneficial for further studies and educational goals. The programme encourages values such as independence, discipline and organisation, all crucial for me to reach my educational ambitions at university. 
 

Secondly, the unconventional subjects like TOK and CAS have introduced me to new ways of thinking that have proven helpful in reaching my educational goals. While I have previously struggled with subjectivity in some of my academic work, the IB has forced me to always approach a task critically and analytically, accelerating my work in a positive direction. 

My journey after the IB

After the IB I have seized the opportunity to take a gap year to travel the world with another IB student. I hope that through immersing ourselves in new cultures and meeting new people, we will gain valuable and exciting life experiences. 

Furthermore, I have applied to Business and IT courses in the UK, and hope to continue my studies abroad after completing the gap year. These opportunities have been presented to me largely because of the IB and the qualifications the programme has given me.