Why I Love IB

Kate, Class of 2006, Emory University

IB has meant so much to me, not only did it prepare me for college, but also for all interactions. Through IB, I was surrounded by other students as interested in learning as much as they could, and taught by teachers who wanted to spread knowledge to us. The friendships I made in IB are still with me even through we have scattered across the country. Each of us was prepared for the challenging four years and study abroad experiences we have encountered. IB fostered a love of learning and community that couldn't have been found on an individual level. From learning to study, appreciate others, and work well in groups, IB has led me to have a successful college experience.

Max, Class of 2008, University of Missouri-Columbia

With many sincere apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and poetry in general:

Why do I love IB? Let me count the ways.

I love the depth and breadth of the curriculum, To the detriment of

Sleep, that precious commodity, For which enough never comes.

I love IB to the level past ordinary

Common needs; working by sun, reading by moon.

I love IB completely, as I strive for sevens; I love IB wholly, even as assessments draw near.

I love IB passionately and have put it to use In college and life, my guiding light.

I love IB with a love I thought impossible With oral commentaries --- I

love IB with my breath, Grins, tears, all the time! --- and, as if I

had a choice, I shall but love IB better after graduation.

Devon, Class of 2006, University of Colorado at Boulder

The IB program taught me the skills necessary for higher-level writing and analysis; I felt prepared for college while my peers struggled.  More importantly, I learned to abandon ignorance towards the rest of the world and to formulate my thoughts with consideration for more than just American ideology.  Graduating in three years from college is a pretty big perk as well, especially with the cost of out-of-state tuition in an unstable economy.

Amanda, Class of 2008, University of Colorado at Boulder

I love IB because the program gave me the opportunity to meet many diverse students who over the course of four years became my closest friends.  The people you meet through IB are unlike any others, and I was privileged to be placed in a classroom setting with them to learn all about different parts of the world.  Furthermore, in my opinion, IB had the greatest, most dedicated teachers that truly loved their jobs and sincerely cared about the success of all their students.  Though IB was difficult at times, the people that you meet and the knowledge you obtain through the program make it worth all of the hard work. 

Lindsey, Class of 2006, Bowdoin College

The obvious answers to this question are the academic ones. During my first semester of college, I realized that IB had prepared me for almost everything: from writing coherent research papers to approaching professors to participating in small class discussions. These skills helped smooth my transition to college to the point where it was virtually painless. However, I think the real reasons I still love the IB program have very little to do with its academic structure, and more to do with the group of passionate, interesting, and motivated students and teachers with whom I studied for four years. Through these interactions, I learned how to work collectively, engage with opposing viewpoints, overcome cultural boundaries and see beyond the competition for grades. We formed unbelievably strong and lasting bonds through these shared experiences, and to this day they act as my support system and as my friends. Thus learning, for me in IB, was never strictly academic, and this venture beyond the traditional educational realm not only helped prepare me for life outside of academia, but made the process all the more worthwhile and enjoyable.

Ariel, Class of 2007, University of Arizona

Academia is not only a road to find knowledge, but a tool to grow oneself in any way possible. IB provided me not only vigorous academics, but challenged and encouraged me to find and pursue that which I love. IB recognizes and embraces the fact that passion is the driving force for success and happiness.

Prepared by the IBPA, February 2009