By Mariane Saldaña (Student of Prepa IB of the University of Celaya)
4th semester - June 2022
If you aspire to become an IB student, you may be interested in...
If the idea of being an International Baccalaureate (IB) student is calling your attention, first you need to know what it is, what advantages it offers, how it works, among other very important points so that you can make your decision well informed and convinced.
As you know, Prepa Uni has been offering for seven years now, the possibility of taking the IB Diploma Program starting in the third semester, so you are just in time to start learning about this excellent option.
This article aims to introduce you, in a very digestible way, to the International Baccalaureate, emphasizing the competitive advantages you can achieve by being an IB student. If you are ready, let's get started!
Being an IB student will undoubtedly enhance your knowledge and skills, while becoming a high-achieving student and a conscientious and responsible global citizen.
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)?
The International Baccalaureate is an educational organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The International Baccalaureate Diploma program is a 2-year educational program that offers an internationally accepted certification for university entrance (higher education) and is recognized by universities globally. It is offered in more than 140 countries. To participate, students must attend an IB school and take and accredit one subject from each of the six areas, which are: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Science, Mathematics, Arts, as well as three core components which are:
Monograph(Extended Essay)
Theory of Knowledge.
Creativity Activity and Service (CAS)
At Prepa Uni, the subjects that are part of the Diploma program are: Language and Literature, English, Business Management, Biology, Mathematics and for the Arts subject you can choose between Theatre and Visual Arts. In addition, of course, there are the three core components that are the heart of the Diploma. These subjects are taken during the two years of the program.
It is important for you to know that the IB is useful for students who wish to continue their studies abroad, as well as for those who plan to do so in Mexico.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DO I HAVE AS A STUDENT OF THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM?
Due to the scope of the IB Diploma Program, there are numerous advantages and opportunities for IB students among which I can list the following:
High level of performance. As a graduate of the IB Diploma Programme you will arrive at university with knowledge and skills that will make you stand out from your peers.
Improved performance in soft skills. As an IB student, you will not only excel in the corresponding academic areas, but you will also stand out for the development of your skills such as: critical thinking, leadership, independence and resilience.
Professional development. Each year, more than 5,000 universities in over 100 different countries such as: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United States and more receive applications for admission and transcripts from IB students.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IB TEACHING AND A TRADITIONAL BACCALAUREATE?
The education provided in schools with the IB Diploma Program is student-centered, you are the protagonist of your learning, and during the program, you will have the opportunity to learn through different methods. The teaching is not limited to the classroom or books, but goes far beyond that.
As an IB Diploma student, you are invited to explore the outside world through interactive and dynamic experiences, such as field studies, presentations, case studies, direct contact with real-world issues, among others. It prepares you to face diverse situations, due to its global focus. In IB you are guided to help you develop your full potential, as well as your disciplinary and soft skills, for example: leadership, critical thinking, mathematical and linguistic ability, independence, oral and written communication, among many others. This is achieved by implementing new and effective teaching-learning methods. The educational philosophy of the IB Diploma Programme celebrates the many ways in which people work together to construct meaning and understand the world.
HOW DOES THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM CONCLUDE?
Upon completion of the IB Diploma Program, students receive two certificates: the first, endorsed by the Dirección General del Bachillerato (DGB) of the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the second, issued by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
WHAT WILL MY EVALUATIONS BE LIKE?
As I mentioned before, the IB Diploma Program offers an education characterized by its innovation and that, from my personal experience, is different from what I had previously seen and experienced during my school years. This is why it is quite normal to have doubts about how the IB evaluation method is or even what exams you will have to take if you decide to enroll in the Diploma Program, isn't it?
Well, now I'll clear your doubts.
You will have a continuous evaluation as you have been doing so far to report your grades to the SEP, but in addition, you will be evaluated by the IB in two ways: one external and one internal. The external evaluation consists of several exams for each subject, but those exams are not graded by your teachers, but by IB evaluators, which in short are teachers from other IB schools trained to do so. The exams are basically the same for all students in the world who are studying a certain subject and are given on the same day for everyone. These external evaluations take place in May of the last semester of high school.
Internal assessment is carried out by your IB teachers and includes research (in the case of Biology and Mathematics), oral work (in the case of Literature and English), artistic modes of expression, among others.
If at the end of the program, you fulfill a series of requirements, you obtain, in addition to the two certificates, the IB Diploma, which is something we all aspire to, as it represents the culmination of all our effort and work. It also opens many doors in case you plan to study abroad.
The International Baccalaureate ensures that, by the end of the Diploma Program, students like you will have developed in areas such as analysis and presentation of information, the ability to make sound and coherent arguments, critical thinking for creative problem solving and knowledge retention, all of which are competitive advantages that will make you stand out during your studies at university and show a particular difference among young people of your own age.
But above all, the IB will make you aware of the responsibility you have as a citizen of this planet, develop an international mindset, learn about and celebrate different ways of seeing the world, and give you what you need to continue learning throughout your life, as part of the IB's mission is to create a better world through education.
In conclusion, the IB is a great opportunity that gives you access to useful tools to strengthen your academic and life skills; it will propel you to reach your goals more efficiently. Take the first step into a sea of opportunities... the decision is up to you. Being IB is worth it! And only you can answer this question: how far do you want to go?
If you are interested in receiving more information about the IB Diploma Program at the University of Celaya or in answering any questions or concerns that you or your parents may have about this program, please feel free to contact the IB Diploma Program Coordinator at Uni de Celaya: Alejandra Núñez via email at: alenugo@udec.edu.mx.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, since I came in.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Since I entered I knew I wanted to apply to go on exchange, I wasn't sure if I would be accepted, but since I entered UNI I knew I wanted to apply.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Never
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The experience, experiencing new things, testing myself to get out of my comfort zone, expanding my cultural knowledge, valuing what I have, growing personally.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I went to Brazil, and what made me choose it was that it was the one that caught my attention the most and I felt it had more tourist spots that I wanted to visit, to be specific, I wanted to go to the Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I felt excited, happy, content to be accomplishing something so important to me.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
They were very kind, although I did not receive the same treatment as the rest of the foreigners, since they arrived before the start dates and were given a tour of the city, which I and my UNI classmates did not receive, but they treated us very well and helped us and guided us as best they could.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
From UNI, I miss my teachers, the activities that were done and the curriculum, because in my classes in Brazil, they are different from what I was used to, but I passed them and I did well.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
Traveling alone was something indescribable, extremely beautiful and I loved the experience.
And the hardest part?
Being alone is a feeling that I'm sure takes a lot of strength to deal with, but I'm happy with how I coped.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person to do things by myself, to do things without procrastinating, to know how lucky I am and to take advantage of all the opportunities that will generate experience and happiness and professionally I hope it will give me many opportunities to be taken into account and with the right skills to fulfill my assignments.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Not only to my colleagues, I would recommend it to everyone, these are unique experiences that change you and make you stronger, allow you to know yourself, face challenges that in your comfort zone you would never have. I recommend it to everyone.
María Fernanda Peña, Global Business, Hallym University, Korea.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
At the time I entered the university I did not know about the exchange programs.
At what point and why did you start thinking about applying for a scholarship and studying in another country?
I started to apply since I entered the fifth semester, first of all, because I saw that the University of Celaya has an agreement with a university in South Korea, Hallym University, from there I started to look for what I needed to do to be able to go to study in that country, since the idea of studying there for a semester made me very excited, UNI guides and accompanies us to achieve it.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
For many years I have had a great interest in the country and its culture, so when I found out that there was an exchange program I was interested in participating.
How was the scholarship application process?
I started applying since my fifth semester for the scholarship and was not selected, so I approached the people who had already gone or were about to go to Hallym to ask them what I needed to improve in order to be able to go to South Korea to study for a semester.
How did you prepare for this new experience?
Being a country where the language and culture are completely different from what I know, I studied basic phrases and resumed language classes to be able to read and write in Korean. I also applied to another scholarship offered by the Uni, about online courses on social and cultural aspects of South Korea, with Hallym University, which helped me to know in advance important aspects to consider at the time of arrival, but above all keep an open mind to change and the different, just what excited me most about leaving was the challenge of living in a totally different country in language, culture, food, etc..
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I was nervous about all the changes that were coming, but also very excited to get to know the country, new people, the culture, everything excited me.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
We were very well received, first they gave us a talk to reiterate important aspects and give us credentials and then they gave us a small tour of the university, they took pictures and explained to us the events they were going to have in Hallym to be aware and to be able to attend, as well as another more detailed tour to know the whole campus. Both the university staff and the students were very friendly at all times.
What did you miss most about Mexico and UNI? What I missed most was my family and friends.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience? And the most difficult?
The most exciting thing is that every day was a new adventure, something to know, to try, new people and to be able to visit completely different places.
The hardest part was adjusting to the time difference to be able to talk to my family and friends.
How do you think this experience will influence you as a person and professionally?
In short, this experience had an impact on me, both personally and at work. Being able to live abroad helped me to develop fundamental skills for life and work, such as the ability to adapt to new environments, to practice and perfect the English language at a conversational level and in this case to learn a new language which is Korean, to relate to all kinds of people, as well as to get to know another educational and work level different from what I have lived.
What advice would you give to those who are about to go on exchange to another country?
I would tell them to enjoy every day to the fullest, to know and live new experiences, to go with a very open mind to everything that is to come, not to be afraid of change, to dare to do different things, to try all the typical food of the country, not to be embarrassed and open to meet and talk to everyone, to know how to manage and take care of their money but without depriving themselves of living or trying new things, not to put aside the study because we have the obligation to comply in academics.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience, learn as much as you can and have an amazing time.
Would you recommend these opportunities offered by UNI to your colleagues?
I recommend it one hundred percent, the Uni has agreements with excellent universities abroad, the scholarship program is a huge economic support, this program is made for us, so that we grow and develop as better people and better professionals, so I consider it a great opportunity that I hope all students can live and know how to take advantage of.
I am very grateful to Uni for choosing me to participate in the program last semester and very grateful to Hallym University in South Korea for welcoming us so well and making our stay in the country wonderful.
Mariana Prado, from Artes Culinarias, in Medellín, Colombia.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, in fact, it was the main reason why I decided to study my career at the Uni de Celaya.
At what point and why did you start thinking about applying for a scholarship and studying in another country?
Practically since I was in my 3rd semester, although I already had the idea of leaving since I entered, I needed to apply as soon as I had 50% of my credits. I did it because I had always wanted to go on exchange and I thought I had nothing to lose by applying for the scholarship.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because of the affordability and I was already planning to visit Colombia, I just didn't have a specific date.
How was the scholarship application process?
For me it was full of mixed emotions, as some friends went to a different place than I did and I was anxious about leaving alone (with classmates I didn't know) but very happy to have the opportunity to leave.
How did you prepare for this new experience?
I didn't do much, students from past semesters who were in Medellin gave us some tips and I made a group with the classmates with whom I would go on exchange to be all on the same page and get to know each other a little before the semester started.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
It was an incredible feeling, that I was achieving what I had set out to do so long ago, that I was finally accomplishing a goal and living a dream.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was very well received, in general Colombians are very warm and friendly, so throughout the whole process I felt confident that, whenever I had a problem or needed something, I could go to the corresponding teachers without any problem.
What do you miss the most about Mexico and UNI? Definitely the food, my family and my colleagues.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience? And the most difficult? The most exciting thing was meeting people from different countries and getting to know a little about how people live in their native countries. The most difficult part was getting used to the class material, since they were subjects that I did not have in my career.
How do you think this experience will influence you as a person and professionally?
Definitely in my character and attitude, I think I grew a lot as a person because of everything I lived there and that helps me to see life in a different way, valuing absolutely everything, especially the present.
What advice would you give to those who are about to go on exchange to another country? They should try to live in the moment and let go of what they need to appreciate and live the experience in the best possible way.
Would you recommend these opportunities offered by UNI to your colleagues?
No doubt about it.
I am very grateful for the opportunity, it was without a second thought, the best experience I have had so far in college.
Ian Villa, International Business, Hallym University, South Korea.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Since my entrance to UNI I was told about the international programs and also through the institutional mailing list I am made aware of the semester by semester programs.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Personally I have always had a more foreign-focused vision, one of my goals is to be able to continue to make an impact in the country I go to. So the answer is yes, I firmly believed that I could return to study in another country on behalf of UNI.
Also the international vision that my teachers have imparted to me in their classes along with the entrepreneurial vision of the University of Celaya to create leaders with global competencies.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
I finished my last year of high school in Japan. It was a wonderful experience that helped me grow, give me a new perspective on the world and is the reason why I am pursuing a degree in international business.
Living a new culture, trying different food, speaking and learning another language and creating beautiful friendships were some of the experiences and challenges I lived.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Experiencing a new culture, seeing and learning a different lifestyle, the use of different languages according to the country... The fact that there is a lot to learn from other countries motivates me to keep traveling and exploring, with this I hope to bring new ideas to our country.
But the part I love the most is being able to represent my country. Sharing my own culture, gastronomy, language, traditions. I am proud of my country and I love to share it abroad.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
I have a great interest in Asian countries since my exchange to Japan and this program was another opportunity to learn about Asia and specifically the Republic of South Korea.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
In my experience, arriving in another country feels like changing the world, especially if it is Asia. The language is new, you don't really understand what is going on and a feeling of desperation is born in you to be able to communicate and understand.
I always recommend traveling with an open mind, especially when the customs and behaviors of the people are so different from ours. The food is also different from ours, the flavors and dishes are very different.
All these points may sound negative, but believe me they are the best part of an exchange. Once you understand the language, get to know the customs, taste the food and learn a different lifestyle your development in that country becomes easier and that is when you enjoy it. The exchange presents challenges but once you overcome them you feel proud of what you have achieved.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
With open arms, from the teachers, staff and students from South Korea. Like UNI, HALLYM University has an international vision and despite being far from my country I found a home in Korea.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
Mainly family, being far away prevents us from communicating frequently, missing national holidays such as Independence Day, Noche de Muertos, Christmas and New Year's Day does create a feeling of nostalgia.
From my country I missed the language, being able to express myself in my native tongue. The gastronomy and also my friends. From UNI, it would be my classmates and teachers, because I would have liked to live and share these experiences and learning with them.
What I will miss about South Korea is the safety on the streets, quality public transportation, quality medical services, and the services and entertainment that a first world country like South Korea offers.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
The list is long...
Become an English tutor
Explore beautiful cities such as Seoul and Busan.
Learning a new culture
Discover new dishes.
Practicing the language
Make friends from different parts of the world
Sharing my culture
Practice taekwondo, being the national sport of Korea.
Running a marathon in Chuncheon with the Mexican flag on my shoulders.
To be invited to the Mexican Embassy in Seoul during the national holidays.
To receive recognition for my outstanding participation as a HALLYM student.
To carry the name and values of UNI de Celaya with me.
And the hardest part?
Saying goodbye...
It is curious how in both exchanges that I have experienced, when you return to your destination you go with a feeling of excitement and at the same time sadness knowing that you are leaving behind your family, friends and a lifestyle you are used to.
As I mentioned before there are challenges that any exchange puts you through and they are not easy. There were days when I wanted to go home before the program was over... But once you overcome them you start to enjoy the exchange and that's when you wish it wouldn't end.
Saying "Goodbye" to friends you made, to a lifestyle you adapted to and to a new city you called home. It is sadder to say goodbye because you are closing a cycle. We know it won't be easy to meet all our exchange friends again in the near future, we know how far our country is from Korea... But at least I will keep exploring new countries, creating friendships and learning as much as I can.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
I want to work in my country's foreign relations in Asia, or in a foreign company and be the person who can make the connections with these people because I understand their culture, I understand their language and I can have a better approach with them and they with us.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Absolutely, it helps you to grow as an individual, to work in a team with people from different countries and points of view; to create a global vision and to get to know a new country.
All my life I will be grateful for this experience that motivates me to be a better person.