Student of the IB High School of the University of Celaya.
4th semester - June 2022
Why is it worth doing a monograph?
TheExtended Essay(EE ) provides you with a unique opportunity to explore an academic area of personal interest. It is a research paper that you write independently, giving you the advantage of demonstrating your passion, enthusiasm, intellectual initiative and creative approach to a topic of your choice, on which you conduct an in-depth and focused analysis in order to critically answer questions of global importance. It is one of the elements at the heart of the IB Diploma program.
Through the Monograph production process, you develop important transferable skills - such as research, critical thinking and self-management (the importance of which I will explain later in this article) - that are communicated in the form of a written academic paper. It is important to highlight the commitment you will have to the research process and in the reflection you will make on this process, highlighting your intellectual and personal journey, and how this process comes to change you during your learning, as well as impacting the final version of your work.
In this article I will tell you what a Monograph is, what you will learn by doing a Monograph and why it is one of the most important benefits you can get from the IB Diploma Program(International Baccalaureate).
Preparing a Monograph gives you the great advantage of developing skills not only useful for your day to day life as an IB student, but also very valuable in the long term for when you enter university, since they will facilitate your research and writing of texts, lab reports or even your thesis to finish your degree. That is why producing a monograph provides you with the following benefits:
It teaches you to inquire, which is very important because you will always be looking for new information from different sources, you will want to learn more and more, making you a person with extensive knowledge about different areas.
It teaches you to understand topics in a conceptual way; that is, you will understand concepts without the need for examples, you will be able to visualize difficult concepts to understand them more easily.
It teaches you to understand social and political problems in a broader and more global way, allowing you to learn about different social contexts in order to understand the world and social relations more clearly.
Satisfy your interests since it is highly personal work that is designed to give you the learning you need as an IB student.
In evaluating you, they will do so in a way that will not only help you learn concepts about your work, but will also help you improve and grow as a human being.
Thanks to the Monografías process you will develop skills that you already have, but that in other jobs you don't usually use much and that, nevertheless, are of vital importance for any area of life you can think of; sometimes it is complicated to develop them with simpler tasks that teachers assign us, so you should take the opportunity to practice them; the skills I am referring to are the following:
Thinking skills: to analyze and understand any information presented to you concisely, quickly and effectively.
Communication skills: to express -in a clear and understandable way for any reader- what you think, then it will serve you for any work that requires you to explain something about any topic. In addition, you will strengthen your ability to formulate arguments clearly and coherently.
Social skills: when you have to talk to your consultant to explain your work, you will improve the way you relate to other people; this will help you establish interpersonal relationships that translate into contact and friendships that will be useful in the present and future.
Self-management skills: being a job that you have to produce from start to finish, taking special care and attention in your organization and time management, you will learn that you alone can do a job without anyone chasing you, you will achieve the difficult task of not leaving the tasks or activities to the end.
Research skills: you will be able to perfectly search for reliable and clear information that will be useful for what you are looking to do, so you will not have to waste your time in information that will not serve you for anything. You will learn to cite and give author credits so you don't go through life plagiarizing ideas that don't belong to you. You will be able to identify when a source of information is not reliable, so you will stop wasting your time on information of dubious origin.
TheExtended Essay is perhaps the most inquiry-based activity you will undertake during the IB Diploma Program, especially since it is a completely open-ended assignment, driven by your interest in the topic of your choice; you can do this work on activities or areas of knowledge that you enjoy or are passionate about and, if you choose correctly, it is a lot of fun. This is no coincidence: the goal of the Essay(EE) is to encourage students like you to intentionally examine, in depth and intentionally, important issues and areas of research that are of personal interest to you. Through research, as a student you not only learn about the topic of focus of your Monograph, methodology and critical thinking (i.e., you not only learn about the process of writing the Monograph), but another advantage is that you develop important transferable soft skills such as time management, perseverance, resilience and decision making.
In the following, I recapitulate -as a list- the reasons why it is very worthwhile to live the process of elaborating the Monograph during your studies of the IB Diploma Program; for this list I have been guided by Antoni Moragues, who has written a text on Aplicación de la Monografía en 1º de Bachillerato con la metodología del programa IB (Application of the Monograph in the 1st year of Bachillerato with the methodology of the IB program):
You will be able to distinguish between the basic and secondary aspects of the area you are studying.
You will mature the ability to identify problems and formulate questions.
You will be able to state the justification for your research (why it is important).
You will be able to plan your actions and thus manage your time to move forward.
Strengthen your ability to search for appropriate information from reliable sources.
You will be able to propose possible explanations or hypotheses that provide solutions to the problem.
You will mature in the application of research methodology and the collection of results.
Thanks to critical thinking, you will be able to compare the information you had at the beginning with the findings of the results.
You will be able to reach your own conclusions and argue them.
You will enhance your oral and written communication and expression, putting it at the service of your research and knowledge dissemination objectives.
But... what is a Monograph and how do I do it?
Okay! I think we're doing well so far, but exactly how do you do a Monograph?
First, it is important to be clear that the Monograph is an in-depth study of a well-delimited topic that you will have the opportunity to freely choose from a list of available subjects from the IB Diploma Program, such as: Literature, Drama, English (in this particular case, you will have the great opportunity to write the monograph in English language), Biology or Mathematics. The specific topic you will delve into can be related to any of these subjects that catches your attention; as a recommendation, I would say to make a list of topics that you like to talk about or that simply appeal to you; then look for which of the subjects your topic might fit into so that you can write your Monograph on something you really enjoy.
You will have a professor who teaches the subject you have chosen and who will advise you during the process of producing your Monograph; he or she will help you whenever you get lost with the instructions and will be checking your progress closely.
The result of your research will be translated into a structured written work, whose formal presentation follows predetermined guidelines provided by the IB and in which ideas and results are communicated in a reasoned and logical manner.
Here are some of the most important specifications that every student who aspires to become an IB student should take into account:
The Monograph is mandatory for all students taking the IB Diploma Program. At Celaya University High School you will have the opportunity to choose that program if you decide that the IB challenge is for you.
The Monograph is externally assessed, which means that an assessor you do not know will assess your work using assessment criteria established by the IB itself and used in all IB schools.
The Monograph process prepares IB students for success in university and beyond after the Diploma Programme. To choose a subject for the Monograph, students should consult the list of approved IB Diploma Programme subjects, taking into account the availability of advisors within the institution in which they are enrolled. It is presented as a formal academic work with a maximum length of 4,000 words, accompanied by a reflection form, which is a format in which you will write about your experience and how your processes and progress were; this reflection cannot be longer than 500 words.It involves approximately 40 hours of work by the IB student throughout the first three semesters of the IB Diploma Program.IB students are supported in a recommended supervision process of between 3 and 5 hours, which includes three mandatory reflection sessions, in which your advisor will help you and evaluate the work you have done.
The third and last mandatory reflection session is the final interview, which is a concluding interview with the supervising professor in which you will be able to see how your advisor perceived your progress and your learning from this work.
Now you know some of the most relevant benefits that, from my point of view, the Monograph production process offers you, one of the core components of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). I hope you will make the decision to live the challenge of the program and become a high performing student because ... being IB is worth it!
Dare to excel, do not limit your skills: become an IB student.
By: Sofía Von Bertrab
6th semester IB student
Where did you get the knowledge you have today? Your answer will probably be: school. However, who assures you that everything you have learned so far is true? Have you ever questioned the knowledge of your classes? We tend to take school knowledge as absolute truth, and really, all knowledge deserves to be questioned. With the IB Diploma Program we seek to form young people who rethink what they have learned and who live in a constant search for knowledge; we call these young people "knowledge actors" Would you like to be one of them?
To find out if your profile matches that of an IB student, I invite you to continue reading this article that I have prepared to share, with boys and girls like you, some of the benefits that, as a student of an IB school, you would have access to if you accept the challenge of the IB Diploma Program, specifically benefits that derive from a particular subject: TOK (Theory of Knowledge) or TOK (Theory of Knowledge). Throughout this article I will detail the reasons why, from my personal experience as a sixth semester IB student at the University of Celaya High School -which offers the IB Diploma-, it is worth being part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) community. If you are ready, read on and I'll tell you more...!
In the IB Diploma Program, great importance is given to three subjects that are the heart of the program:Extended Essay ( EE), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) andTheory of Knowledge (TOK) and, from my experience, the latter (TOK) I believe is key to academic and personal life because of the great benefits it provides us as IB students, which I will describe below.
TOK focuses on a branch of philosophy better known as cognoseology, through which it is expected that as a student you develop skills that help us to further understand knowledge, generating ideas based on a deep way and avoiding staying in the superficial. The aim is to instruct young people to study the origin, nature, foundations and limits of human knowledge.
Class dynamics are usually interactive, in this course you will have a space to share your opinion on the different topics addressed. The central question is "How do we know?", you will question your position in different situations and enrich your opinion by listening to different perspectives of your classmates.
Profile of knowledge stakeholders
Inquirers
Solidarity
Informed
Good communicators
Balanced
Thinkers
Bold
Reflective
intact
Open-minded
The IB Diploma Program wants to find people willing to push boundaries, to achieve goals and to excel as a person. A knowledge actor is someone motivated to understand more about the world and societies around us, someone with curiosity. It is not just a matter of knowing, in the course the knowledge actors will seek to deepen this knowledge, to ask themselves how they obtained it and how they apply it in their daily lives.
What benefits will I obtain with Theory of Knowledge (ToK)?
The IB Diploma Program has great tools to offer; for example, skills that can be applied in your day to day life. The benefits of the IB Diploma Program are greater than one would imagine and, as a student of Prepa IB at the University of Celaya, here I tell you what they are:
You will reflect critically
You will create a more objective judgment, you will judge knowledge from a neutral position in order to be able to form a reasoned opinion about it. You will learn to get feedback from different points of view, to respect the diversity of opinions, you will form a more rigorous criterion to identify what information is from reliable sources and what knowledge you decide to believe in.
One of the activities we had in class that most demonstrates this applied characteristic was with the subject of history. Have you ever wondered if we can really trust the history books provided by the educational system? Many times history is told from the government's perspective, causing a manipulation of information, as it seeks to create a sense of nationalism by making historical figures look like "heroes and villains".
You will learn to enrich yourself with different perspectives.
You will develop an open mind that allows you to understand that knowledge can come from everywhere, from all cultures and from all kinds of things. Knowledge can be gained from friends, family, acquaintances, experiences, books, reports, news, movies... everything around us can provide us with something valuable. You will learn in the course about different cultures and traditions, immersing yourself in new worlds that seem far away from the reality you live in. The world is immense and each individual perceives it in a unique way.
TOK tests usually involve a lot of thinking and are also developed in teams. A video or image will be provided along with questions to which you will have to give an answer. These exams usually have topics that affect society, being team work you will have to reach a conclusion with the different opinions of each team member, learning to listen and respect other perspectives in the process.
You will recognize the need to use your knowledge in a responsible manner.
All knowledge is applied and we must be aware of it, informing you of the consequences of your actions is part of using knowledge responsibly. You will see topics with great moral debates, where you will question what limitations knowledge should have, what risks there are in the search for knowledge and also discover more about the nature of the human being.
As already mentioned, the TOK subject usually covers many societal issues, so it is important to instill in students the responsible use of our knowledge. Topics such as genetic modification, nanotechnology or cellular aging will be touched upon, looking at the benefits and also the dangers of these scientific advances. They can help us a lot and at the same time have interesting ethical debates when applied.
You will apply your knowledge with greater awareness
You will identify how you make use of your knowledge and also devise ways to help your community with your skills, become more aware of the knowledge you possess and see what you contribute to the world. We all have something to contribute, we just need to learn to value our skills in order to develop them.
The subject will always encourage helping our community, for example, in the subject we talked about the care of water and based on this topic, we made an analysis of how much water we consume in our daily lives. Likewise, each student made three proposals to save water and use it more effectively.
You will generate better informed ideologies and opinions
You will get to know yourself in the process, in the search for a better understanding of knowledge you will learn about different topics in which you will be able to generate your own opinion, you will identify which values you promote and you will reflect on the reason for this. The course will require a lot of interaction, formulating opinions in different situations. You will learn about different types of arguments and you will also learn how to develop opinions so that your message reaches the receiver effectively.
You will observe the world in a different way
Theory of knowledge opens your mind to a new world of infinite possibilities; you will learn from diverse areas, focusing on how this knowledge is applied in society. How does art influence our lives? How does history affect the search for knowledge? How does politics influence our values? These questions that will be developed along the way will change you completely, will give you a better reasoning to question the world.
One of the most interesting activities that my generation experienced was going to an indigenous village near Celaya, in that adventure we learned about the traditions of the natives, their clothing, their gastronomy, their perspectives, their handicrafts. Experiences like these make you make a 180° turn in your life, they take you out of a bubble to discover that in the world there is much more than what surrounds you.
Is Theory of Knowledge worthwhile?
The subject goes beyond being part of the IB Diploma Program, this subject will give you tools in the two years of study that it entails. It will make you see the world from a different perspective, a great advantage is that you will learn how the process of knowing is rather than just learning concepts and facts. Skills such as critical thinking, the ability to share your ideas with others in an assertive way, confidence about your opinions, questioning about social issues; these skills can be developed and used to the fullest. It will be an unforgettable experience, as you will enter a higher educational level in the pursuit of knowledge . You will go deeper in your opinions, you will reflect and your way of understanding the world will no longer be the same. So without a doubt I can say that YES, Theory of Knowledge is worth it because of all the learning it will give you. Dare to become an actor of knowledge, do not doubt your abilities, develop them.
If you are interested in receiving more information about the IB Diploma Program at the University of Celaya, please contact us at https://www.udec.edu.mx/prepa-uni/ If you have 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 or by phone +52 (461) 613 90 99 Ext. 1411.
I'll tell you about the IB Diploma Programme experience at Prepa Uni
Many young people like you may not know what a student of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) does during a regular day, that is why I want to tell you how I live it as I am currently in the 4th semester of high school at the Preparatoria de la Universidad de Celaya, as well as what my classmates and I do in our day to day, so that you have a closer idea of the reality of the IB in a city like Celaya in Guanajuato and know, firsthand, some of our learning experiences.
Start of the day at the Prepa! 07:20 h TOK ... TOK ... TOK ... TOK
A day in the IB Diploma Program may start with a TdeC ( Theory of KnowledgeTOK) class in which the teachers make us question things; that is, they teach us to ask why things happen; for example, during one of the mid terms we start looking at indigenous societies and questioning the reasons why they are disappearing. I really like the way things begin to be raised from the first class of TdeC because, in a way, it opens you to any kind of possibilities and gives you the opportunity to develop your own criteria on the topics discussed in class, so that we are able to analyze it, express it verbally or in writing, argue it and reach individual conclusions or even proposals for action.
Getting to know the business world: 08:15 h Business management
After the TdeC class, the Business Management course follows, in which we learn how to manage a company and how organizations work in today's world: from how to prepare an income statement to, for example, performing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats); we also acquire knowledge about the function of income statements, motivation theories, types of leadership, investments, to mention some of those that now come to my mind. Personally, I am very interested in knowing how a company works internally because there are many aspects that I did not understand, such as the way it is managed or the sectors into which an organization is divided, and thanks to this course I was giving answers, class by class, to these concerns through case studies, exercises, etc., which, I believe, will be very useful during my university studies.
10:00 h Gimme a break!
I continue telling you how one of my days in the IB Diploma at my high school is going. After the Business Management course, we have a break, which is a good opportunity to take a break, recharge our batteries, have lunch in the cafeteria and socialize with our classmates.
Let's test our bilingual skills: 10:30 h English class!
English class follows. It is very likely that you automatically think that this is a "typical" English class where they teach you the conjugation of the verb to be, but in reality it is not so; during this class you have the opportunity to learn how to argue in a second language -which implies having to think in English-, and then debate and give your opinion on relevant topics around the world. For example: share your opinion about Greta Thunberg who is a 19 year old Swedish environmental activist and about whom, during the English class, we share opinions, comments and analysis. I can tell you that what many of my classmates commented about Greta is that she has a somewhat rude way of speaking, not because she uses high-flown words to offend others, but -mainly- because her tone of voice is very punchy, strong and decisive. We came to the conclusion that Greta resorts to this technique to give firmness to her speech and thus more easily attract the attention of her audiences to whom she seeks to raise awareness about the actions that humans need to take to contribute to the care of the environment.
Let's learn about life processes: 12:20 p.m. Biology
It is noon and we are still active in the IB Diploma Program at Prepa Uni. The Biology class taught by teacher Paty continues. I can think that for many young students this subject might be tedious because I felt the same way when I took Biology in high school. Honestly, I didn't like this subject because I considered it boring, since they only made us learn the parts of the cells and then ask us questions in an exam, forget them and never touch the subject again for the rest of the school year. However, when I started the IB Diploma Program I realized that here the reality of this subject had nothing to do with the reality that I had experienced years ago, since during this class we do talk and study about Biology topics, but also about topics that happen nowadays... in our day to day life. As IB students we express the doubts we have, no matter if it is a little bit out of the subject of the class; for example, if during class we are looking at genetic modifications and I happen to ask if it is possible to identify the genes needed to modify DNA, the teacher answers you, explaining the answer that she backs up with her experience and this makes it even more interesting because every time we students ask something, other questions arise and this helps us to strengthen our critical thinking and to feed our curiosity to continue learning and not only stay with the topics that our teachers teach us, but to go beyond? questioning, inquiring and discovering... what a great way to learn!
Last class and we finish: 14:10 h Mathematics.
The last class of my Friday in the IB Diploma Program at Prepa Uni is Mathematics and wow, I'm not going to lie, this one might be a bit more challenging than any other math class I have taken so far, because in my experience, I was used to apply the knowledge I had learned only once in a problem that the teacher set and then I didn't use it again. But here that does not happen, all the learning that you are building serves for something else, finally it is about having the tools and using the ones you consider necessary to solve whatever comes up. If you feel identified with me, and you are one of those who suffer with numbers, do not worry, teachers and fellow IBs will never leave you behind. It is true that sometimes you study topics that, at first glance, seem a little confusing, such as logarithms or the graphs of a function, but I assure you that the teacher is always willing to guide you, explain and find a way for the topics to be understood and you can apply them; it can be through real life examples, exercises, practices, etc. ...
What did you think of this day in the IB Diploma Program at Prepa Uni? Would you like to live the experience of being an IB student?
When I am aware of the skills, knowledge and attitudes that I acquire as an IB student, I think it is worth it because it challenges me to think, but not in a mechanized way as I had been used to, it gives me the advantage of developing my own thoughts and personal criteria regarding the events that happen to us as human beings who live in a globalized world and are part of a complex society.
Have you ever been bored during your classes?
I have come to realize that this is because what you see during the classes is not related to what you are interested in. When I started the IB Diploma Program, my perspective broadened more and more and now I see things in a different way that I didn't think was possible; for example, during my current IB Literature classes I have to read books but I find them more interesting than when I was in high school because not only do we read them, but they also lead us to discuss global issues that are in the plot or argument of the book and, I don't know about you, but this motivates me -more and more- and gives me the confidence to express my opinion in front of my classmates and teachers. This is why I think the IB Diploma Program is worthwhile and you should give yourself the opportunity to experience being an IB student ... a high achieving student.
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 or by phone +52 (461) 613 90 99 Ext. 1411.
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.
Angel Carrillo, a student of Automotive Engineering and Lean Systems, won the international scholarship to study in Medellin, Colombia.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, it was mentioned to us in the meeting that was held prior to the admission exam.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I never imagined it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time outside of Mexico.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To grow both professionally and personally.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Colombia has always been a very rich country culturally and very well known in Mexico, its natural wealth and the contact I had had in Mexico with Colombian people.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Very excited and eager to learn and learn as much as possible.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
From the beginning, UPB was concerned about my wellbeing and adaptation, and they also gave me a very close follow-up during my stay in Medellín.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
The food and my colleagues.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To meet people from all over the world and learn a little bit about their culture.
And the hardest part?
Having to say goodbye to all my new friends from different countries will forever remain in my memories.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
To acquire skills and knowledge that will enhance my professional career and grow as a person in the cultural and social sphere.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, I would recommend it to all my classmates at Uni, it is an unforgettable experience.
Thank you for the opportunity of this SCHOLARSHIP!
Jesús Jiménez from the Culinary Arts program obtained a scholarship to study at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sulin Porto Alegre, Brazil.
When you entered Uni, did you know there were international programs?
Yes, when asking for admission information, they mentioned the internationalization program and some of the places with which they have agreements.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, when I entered I had the illusion of being able to do it and when I was accepted to go to Brazil it was something I did not expect, I was very excited and grateful.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, this is my first time out of Mexico.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The experience of being able to be in another country and learn about different cultures.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because it offered the career I am studying and to learn another language; to strengthen my professional skills.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Very strange because it was the first time I was leaving Mexico and for a long time I would not be seeing my family, friends, etc.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I have been very well received by each of the people who work or study here, it was a very warm welcome especially in the patience of the language since I arrived without knowing Portuguese.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
My family, friends and the food because the food here in Brazil is very different and not as varied as it is in Mexico. And from UNI to be in my area of study Culinary Art.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
To learn about the culture and be with people from different countries, to learn a new language from the speaking country, to visit places I had only seen in movies, to fend for myself, to learn to organize myself administratively and personally.
And the hardest part?
To be independent.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
As a person I hope to grow, to realize what is important and to give more importance to what is worthwhile, to value what I have and to accept it.
And professionally I am in a dilemma because even though I like the career, I feel that it is not my career and in this trip I was able to realize that.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
I highly recommend it because it is a unique opportunity in which you experience many things, good and bad, but it is an experience that I believe every student can experience once while studying their career.
