For Finlay, joining ISA in Grade 5 marked the start of an extraordinary eight-year journey. Over nearly a decade, he embraced everything ISA had to offer – from leading as Head Ambassador and Model United Nations (MUN) President to forming friendships spanning the globe. This September, Finlay will head to the University of Glasgow to study International Relations, joining the more than half of ISA graduates who choose to pursue their higher education at Scottish universities.
“When I transferred to ISA in Grade 5, I was extremely nervous because I had only ever been to one school. But within just a couple of weeks, I settled in really easily to the rhythm and people around me, because the students here were so welcoming. A moment that really cemented my settling into ISA was a school trip to New Lanark a month or so after I joined. I got to talk to and become close friends with everyone outside of a classroom environment, and I went to school the next day feeling so confident about my future at ISA.
Those trips – and how brilliant they were at bringing us together – continued throughout my eight years, from Broomlee to Belfast and Amsterdam. At each one, I made new friendships that stayed with me throughout my entire ISA experience.
Starting in 9th Grade, I chose to become a Student Ambassador because I wanted to give that same welcoming experience I received when I first joined. In my final year, I took on the role of Head Ambassador. It was one of the most enjoyable positions I held because I got to constantly introduce and support new students. Being in a leadership role that others could rely on gave me a massive boost in confidence, which really helped when serving as MUN President and co-leading my IB CAS project.
Going to an international school gave me incredible exposure to diverse cultures, opinions, and beliefs from a young age. Studying International Relations at the University of Glasgow felt like the perfect way to build on what I started here. ISA further prepared me through its strong emphasis on global perspectives, both in subjects like History – which covered everything from Warlord China to 1940s America – and through extracurricular opportunities.
ISA’s greatest strength will always be its vibrant, welcoming community. Over the years, I got to meet amazing people from every corner of the globe and make memories I’ll never forget.
My advice for any student coming to ISA is to throw yourself into the community from day one and take advantage of every leadership opportunity and school trip that comes your way. Even in a sea of new faces, you will always find a place at ISA where you fit right in. Looking back, I couldn’t be luckier to have met and known so many different faces and incredible people.”between your academic goals and the rest of your life.”
