Spring is a busy time for Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) Grade 12 IB student, Leedara. She and all other International Baccalaureate (IB) seniors are preparing for their final exams and anxiously waiting to hear good news from their dream universities. Leedara, however, is not as concerned since she already has two offers—one from Purdue University and the the other from the University of Iowa. Although, she is still waiting to hear from a few more universities, she has already decided on majoring in Economics.
For Zhengzhou native, Leedara, who has only attended international school for two years after studying in a Shanghai public school, her progress is inspiring. She attributes her success to the IB diploma program (IBDP), offered for the second year at BIBS, and her homestay experience. Silvia Vargas, a High School Counselor at BIBS and Leedara’s “second mother,” recounts proudly, “As her homestay mother, I have witnessed Leedara’s constructive and confident manner and attitude to her studies, which instantly made her a great role model to other students in the homestay. She lived with eight other girls and contributed to their well being as a ‘big sister.’”
In her recent IB blog titled, “How the IB Changed My Life,” Leedara stated unwaveringly, “I would not have had the opportunities I have if I didn’t take the full IBDP. Yes, it was very difficult and challenging, but it motivated me and allowed me to express myself articulately and with great confidence.” For future IBDP students, Leedara advises, “Do the hard work…and take the IBDP seriously, and sign up for the TOEFL and SATs early, and if needed, often!”
Photo: Courtesy of Beanstalk International School of Beijing.
