For Daria, coming to ISA in Grade 11 was the start of an extraordinary two-year journey. Moving to Aberdeen for her parents’ work, she threw herself into the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme – an effort that culminated on results day when she achieved a remarkable 43 points out of 45, ISA’s top score of the year, securing her place to study Biochemistry at King’s College London.
Daria shares her story here:
“I joined ISA in Grade 11 when my family moved to Aberdeen for my parents’ work, and my initial impression was great. ISA felt like a lively and friendly community right away. The teachers and fellow students were always supportive, and they made Aberdeen feel like home in such a short amount of time.
Results day was stressful initially, but once I opened my results with my family, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I was able to celebrate with my friends and family. Achieving 43 points and knowing I’m off to study Biochemistry is amazing. Both IB Biology and IB Chemistry have really helped me gain essential skills and got me so excited for what I am going to study next.
I looked at universities both within and outside the UK, but I ultimately chose King’s College London because of the nature of the course and its strong biomedical orientation within the world of biochemistry. It’s also right in the heart of London, offering the same great balance between my studies and social life that I discovered and enjoyed so much at ISA.
Outside of the classroom, ISA has a fantastic variety of clubs and sports that made it easy to find that balance. I loved playing volleyball both years, and taking part in various school events – like organising prom as part of the Prom Committee, or helping out at the concession stand during international sports tournaments.
Overall, the IB Diploma requires a lot of dedication and hard work, but the two years really do fly by. My advice to anyone starting out at ISA would be to make the most out of your time here, cherish the friendships you make, and focus on creating a healthy balance between your academic goals and the rest of your life.”
