Thoughts on IB World Student Survey

1. Which word best describes the IB program at Sturgis? - The word 'challenging' best describes the IB program at Sturgis. In addition to taking 6 IB courses (3 HLs & 3 SLs), full IB diploma candidates such as myself take a Theory of Knowledge of Course, complete approx. 150 hours of community service over two years for CAS, and write a 4,000 word Extended Essay. Students who take AP classes surely challenge themselves in these classes but do not have these supplementary requirements. 
2. What are the most important qualities for an IB student? - I agree with the students surveyed that hard work, academic excellence, and time management are all important qualities for an IB student. However, I would probably rename 'time management' balance and put this as the number #1 key quality. As an athlete and IB student, I have realized the importance of keeping up my studies while devoting significant time and effort to my sport. 
3. What are the best and worst aspects of being an IB student? - I enjoy the language opportunities, the international perspective, the independence, the self-responsibility, and the great teachers. I also feel that we are in some ways a big family all tackling the IB program. Heavy workload, the impact on social life, and the question "What's IB?" (since it isn't offered by many schools) are probably the worst aspects of being an IB student. 
4. Which traits in the IB learner profile do you consider to be most important in your life? - Knowledgeable, open-minded, caring, balanced, and risk-takers are traits in the learner profile that I consider most important in my life. 
5. What is the biggest difference between the IB and the national (or state) curriculum in the U.S. or Massachusetts)? - In my opinion, the biggest difference between the IB and the national curriculum is that the IB allows for more creativity. Instead of being confined to textbooks, students are given a chance to learn for themselves. For example, in environmental class, we use the book as a supplement and learn about our environment by visiting various ecosystems such as the deciduous forest near the future home of Sturgis West and the marine environment at Veteran's Beach. Also, in English HL 1 at the moment, we are reading the book 1984. While students at schools around the country are probably reading this novel too, I doubt many have the opportunity to experiment by casting parts for the movie, designing a set for the movie, and writing a short script for a few of the movie scenes. 
6. What type of career would you like to pursue upon leaving school? - Upon leaving school, I hope to pursue a career in public policy in education. 
7. Question: To what extent has the IB program made you more open-minded? - I believe that the IB program has made me much more open-minded. In math class, for example, I may choose to solve a quadratic equation using the quadratic formula. However, I have begun to realize that others may use other strategies such as splitting the middle term, and obviously both methods are equally acceptable. IB Spanish has also made me more open-minded. In Spanish class this year, since we have already learned most of the grammar, we have focused on culture. We have had debates on subjects ranging from euthanasia (after watching a film called Mar Adentro - the Sea Inside) to bullfighting. While I may be strongly against euthanasia and bullfighting, someone else might be in favor of continuing both of these practices, and I have grown to respect their opinions.