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Education in the eyes of students
A jovial group photo of IB
students at GIS. (Photo by Alexis Jisu Ahn Yr. 13)
Alice Swann Razon, Yr. 13
Garden International School has offered the International
Baccalaureate Diploma programme for over a decade. ‘The Diploma Programme is
a challenging two-year programme of international education for students
aged 16 to 19.’ (http://www.ibo. org/diploma/) Throughout this curriculum
students develop skills such as; answering challenging questions with
critical thinking, the ability to communicate and the understanding of
different cultures, to become principled and independent learners. The
curriculum consists of six academic areas (first language, second language,
individuals and societies; e.g., history and business, experimental
sciences, mathematics and computer science and the arts) with three core
requirements.
At our school, the majority of our teachers have come from overseas,
especially from the UK, to provide a firm education in the English language.
With this teaching, students are given the opportunity to continue their
learning in world leading schools like Harvard University (USA) or Oxford
University (UK).
From last year’s excellent IGCSE results (99 A and A*), two-thirds of the
class have chosen to remain at GIS to continue the IB programme which will
enable them to access higher education anywhere else in the world.
We should ask what these junior IB students (Year 12) think about the course
after one month. A second-language English student exclaimed, ‘It has been
quite hard for me to start with. It is a very difficult programme and
everybody knows this. Even if it is hard to get into it; for some reason I
am growing to love it because it continues to be interesting!’
This reflects that difficulty for youth remains a field of discovery and
excitement rather than a field of disappointment and discouragement.
Another classmate supported this view by stating, ‘It is both fun and hard,
but I think that in time, the IB will be better for me like my classmates
here are.’
If it is such a tough course, do they think they are making the right choice
following this IB pathway? Let’s explore why some students have chosen to
take the course in the first place.
Jaemin Shin explains that, ‘There was really one right choice to make. It is
wise to make the right choice, so I did. IB is global. When I return to
Korea, IB will be recognized even though I might need to take an entrance
exam. To them, the IB is a good enough evidence to prove that I have had a
high level of education and it’s what I’m here for.’
His friend interjects, ‘I reckon I might just want to go overseas and the IB
is the best option to ensure that this can be possible.’
Let’s wish them the best of luck!
It is quite impressive that the IB is the passport to universities as it is
recognized in over a hundred countries in the world. What else gets them so
enthusiastic about the IB? ‘To me, the IB is an ethically oriented course.
It focuses on cultural understanding and will allow me to see more of the
world around me,’ quotes Stian Jonsgard.
These remarks can get even more encouraging and passionate; Tanya
Sookmanus-Horsting adds, ‘It is by far the best programme to do. Not only do
you increase your knowledge in all different fields, but also, you gain an
international perspective, so what could be better?’ In fact, the programme
may truly be the door-opener to an international network and awareness.
There’s more than one side to every story, we should also take into account
what the students who are half-way through the course (Year 13) think of the
IB as well as those who have already received their diploma after spending
at least two years at GIS.
Many students were questioned about what they like about the course. Aisha
Dodo reveals, ‘It has helped me relate to other people by sharing our ideas
and interests in various activities throughout our CAS hours
(extra-curricular requirement of the IB) and as an individual, it has taught
me how to become truly independent and motivated.’
Perhaps, the IB is a character building process for young adults as students
have to deal with stress, time management and commitment just like one would
have to undergo in a workplace. Moreover, it can be perceived that the
course assists undergraduates to become prepared psychologically as well as
for the practical side of life.
What can be difficult barriers of the IB? Personally, I found it tricky to
be able to balance how much work and effort I had to exert for different
subjects. At times, it can be troublesome to concentrate in all subjects in
depth, especially when a lot of the time, a lot of reading had to be done to
keep up with the pace of the syllabus for individual subjects. Sometimes,
you feel like the long line of hurdles (leading up to the end of the
workload needed to complete the programme) is not coming to an end. But most
of all, the difficult part of it is meeting the criteria. It is expected
that you are fluent, open-minded and passionate at all times.
Why would anyone recommend you to take the IB programme? Those who have
gotten their diploma boast that to take the IB is an advantage because since
it is internationally recognized, you can get credit in any university in
the world. Not only that, they also reported back to us that they feel
advanced once they enter university as they already have the proper skills
to do research and write long thousand word essays from their IB course.
Throughout the years, IB graduates from GIS hit the peak of their pride and
satisfaction. When they completed the programme, they discovered that they
could be a bigger person. A better person. A stronger person. In many ways,
the IB programme for them is a test. There are rules and points offered for
every wrong or right decision you make. There are consequences you must
face; however, if at the end of the day, you played the game with the right
attitude, you never lose, you only gain from the IB!
In the past years, GIS students have been successful in obtaining their IB
diploma. Hopefully, this trend will continue.
Black Modern College at Asian University pupils’ dance club enjoys third success
Susan Joyce
On Sunday October 5, Black Modern, a dance group of six pupils
from the College at Asian University composing of Bo, Durian, Jay and
Maratti (Grade 12, science), Ken (Grade 11, humanities) and Vor (Grade
10, science) received the Popular Vote prize at the ‘Honda Popping Dance
Academy 2008’ dance competition.
 Black
Modern proudly pose with their award.
The competition was organized by Mityon Pattaya Co. Ltd. and A.P. Honda
Co., Ltd., to look for the best ‘Popping’ dance group in Thailand and
assist teenagers making wiser choices in refusing drugs and spending
their free time more enjoyably. The dancing contest was held in the car
park area in front of X-Zyte night club, Central Pattaya.
Ten teams took part in the competition. Black Modern was the fourth team
to perform their dance. The competition was set over three time periods
and Black Modern performed during the second period. In accordance with
the competition rules, all teams had to have three fundamental body
language procedures which were; I Waving (Waving style), Heart Attack
(Popping style) and Finding Freedom (Scarecrow style). In each period,
three teams had to first show their dances and then they had to show
those three fundamental body language procedures. After their
performance, the Black Modern group was awarded the Popular Vote prize.
The members of Black Modern were encouraged by their parents, younger
members of staff including teachers Kanjana, Pinyo, Thanita, Patricia
and Jirikanya as well as their friends. After Black Modern finished
their dance, the audience gave them a big round of applause to show
their appreciation and enjoyment.
Young “golfing
ambassadors” graduate
The young golfing
ambassadors receive their Diana Golf Academy certificates.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The first 8 graduates of the beginner’s course at the Diana Golf
Academy and four other students have collected their certificates, no
doubt looking down the fairway to greater things in the future.
The academy was established on March 4 this year under the guidance of
Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the Diana Group, to train young
golfers. It offered 10 scholarships worth a total of 50,000 baht.
Eight young “golfing ambassadors” attended the course for 10 weeks from
August 23 to October 4, taught by two pro golfers in David Race and
Capt. Pasit Rungsita.
Director Sopin congratulated the youngsters saying, “It was pleasing to
see young people being interested in golf and that their participation
would improve competition standard in the country.”
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