When we started the International Baccalaureate everything was full of illusion, enthusiasm and hope. We still remember when we were in 4º ESO and received a letter in which we were told that we were going to be part of the first promotion of IB students in the school. Some of us decided to take part in this new project, while others preferred to follow the national curriculum.
The first year was definitely the best one. We really learned a lot, especially in Literature and Philosophy. We have to say that during this year we felt quite relaxed because we did many interesting things. It was the time when we did social and humanitarian work with Felipe, who was responsible for CAS activities (for example, we once went to clean up a beach on the north of the island called “El Vagabundo”). On other ocassions we were in charge of organizing projects at school with the purpose of collecting money to donate to poor countries. We also started to do laboratory practices, that were very enjoyable at the beginning although we did not know that the following year we would have to produce about 15 reports on these practices!
Once we started the second year, everything changed. It all began really well because we joined a Galician school called Obradoiro and went on a trekking trip with them, “Camino de Santiago”. We think that it has been one of the most wonderful experiences in our lives because we really learned a lot on that trip and we made new friends that we hope are going to last forever. Afterwards things started to get worse; we needed to do quite a lot of projects: first the Maths and History research work, then the reports of the last practices, etc. But the worst and the most difficult activity we had to face was to complete our extended essay which was really hard and was not finished until the very last day.
It would not be fair to say that it has been an easy ride. Most of us have considered throwing in the towel at least once. But here we are; nine students who are at this moment struggling to obtain the IB Diploma. We hope that all the hard work we have done and all our efforts will be worthwhile. Even if we do not pass the exams, we are glad that we have participated in this project.
The best thing of all is the group that we have formed and the friendship we have built. We would not change any of the moments that we have shared.
Marta Ojeda y Jaime Monedero (2º Bl)
