I joined the International School of Aberdeen in Grade 10 in 2022. Before moving to Scotland due to my father’s work, I had lived in Malaysia my entire life. Transitioning to a new country and a new school system was a big change, but I quickly found myself making countless sweet memories with my IB classmates, teachers, and staff.
One of the most defining moments of my time at ISA was the Grade 11 Residential trip. Coming from Malaysia, the Scottish Highlands provided a totally new environment! We went camping, canoeing, coasteering, and gorge walking in the Scottish rivers. While it was physically demanding and a departure from my comfort zone, it was an incredible experience. If I hadn’t gone on that trip, I never would have discovered that sense of adventure within myself.
Another highlight was receiving the Effort Award in Grade 11. It was my first academic award, and it was a deeply rewarding moment for me. It made me realise that my hard work was seen and valued, teaching me that the energy we put into our goals is truly worthwhile. I look back fondly on the times my friends and I spent laughing together in class; we supported each other through everything.
Throughout my two and a half years at ISA, I felt fully embraced by the community. The teachers and staff treated me like family, providing academic guidance, emotional support, and the meaningful life advice I needed to succeed in my IB Diploma.
Today, I am back in my home country, studying at my first-choice university: Monash University Malaysia. I am currently three months into my Bachelor of Psychology, and I am loving every minute of it.
University life has brought a new sense of independence. I live alone in a student residence, managing my own schedule, cooking my own meals, and handling all the “adult” responsibilities that come with it. While I enjoy the freedom of university life – and the slightly later 10:00 am starts – I find that the academic foundation I built at ISA has made the transition seamless.
The IB Diploma gave me a massive advantage as I moved into higher education. The program helped me develop essential research, critical thinking, and writing skills. Because I had already tackled Internal Assessments (IAs) and the Extended Essay (EE) at ISA, the long critical reflection essays and research assignments at university feel completely manageable.
In Psychology, we are constantly asked to reflect on human behavior and thought processes. The critical thinking skills I honed at ISA are the tools I use every day to understand the world around me. I am so grateful to the ISA community – especially my high school careers & university counselor. She gave me the full guidance I needed to choose the right IB courses that aligned with my dream career and supported me in every decision I made for my future.
