How the IB Prepared Zara for Business at University

Can you introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Zara. I am in Grade 12 and I have been at ACS Cobham for almost five years. I currently study the IB Diploma Programme.

What do you value most about the ACS community?

For me, one of the biggest things is the international environment. I come from an international background and have moved around a lot, so being at a school where people understand that experience makes it very easy to make friends.

How have you found the academic support?

Throughout my time at ACS, there has always been a lot of support. By Grade 11, you need to decide whether to take AP or IB, and teachers were very helpful with that choice. Everything you study in the earlier grades leads up to that point, so you feel prepared when you make the decision.

What subjects do you take for the IB?

For my Higher Levels, I chose Art, Business and English. At Standard Level I take French, Maths and Biology. The IB is a lot of work, but it prepares you well for university because of the amount and standard of the work. It also gives you a very global perspective. With Theory of Knowledge, for example, you are encouraged to think in new ways, and with Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) you are involved in activities outside academics.

Can you share some of your CAS experiences?

Over the summer I went on a service trip to the Dominican Republic, where I volunteered with children at schools and helped with community projects such as national park clean-ups. That gave me a strong sense of global connection.

CAS also allowed me to explore other interests. I logged cooking and baking projects, which taught me new skills, and I joined leadership and collaboration activities such as the Refugee Club. We worked with younger students at school and also visited a centre in Kingston to support refugees by raising money, food and supplies.

Another highlight was leading a student fashion show this year. It involved 130 students, took six months to plan, and gave me valuable experience in organisation and leadership.

How has ACS supported your university applications?

The University & College Counsellors have been amazing. I applied to universities in the UK through UCAS and also individually to schools in Europe, which can be complicated because each country has its own system. The Counsellors guided me through every step, especially with applications to the Netherlands, Spain and France.

I am going to study a Bachelor of Business Administration at IE University in Madrid, and I hope to specialise later in luxury brand management and fashion marketing.

What extracurricular activities have you been involved in?

I played varsity girls’ football for two years, which was a great team experience. I was also involved in student-led clubs such as the Anti-Racism and Refugee Club. At ACS Cobham, whether you are in Grade 9 or Grade 12, you have equal opportunities to take part and make a difference.

You mentioned boarding. How was that experience?

I started as a day student and later joined boarding, which I was a bit nervous about at first. But I soon settled in, and found it far more enjoyable than I expected. The boarding house feels like a family. You might find us cooking together in the kitchen, watching TV or playing games after study time. The support from staff and other students makes it a very positive experience.

How would you sum up ACS Cobham?

Dynamic and collaborative. Whatever your passion (drama, art, sport or STEM) there is something for everyone here. If you take the initiative and share your interests with teachers, they will help you find opportunities to make them happen.

Watch the full interview with Zara