Secret to Perfection - Insights from Top IB Achievers

One of the greatest pleasures a school gets is welcoming its alumni back to the campus to hear about their successes and adventures. At DCSZ, we always emphasise that we are a family and that just because a student has left does not mean they stop being a part of our community.

On 9 April, we had the pleasure of hosting two of our graduates, Edna and Sally, who graduated as part of the class of 2023. They returned to the DCSZ campus to share their valuable experiences with our current students, specifically focusing on their journeys within the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. 

Edna and Sally are our top achieving graduates with excellent scores of 45 and 44. We are incredibly proud that Edna and Sally have studied at prestigious universities worldwide.

Edna is currently studying the Karolinska Institute which is among the world’s leading medical universities in Sweden. It was placed as the best in Sweden, 3rd in Europe and 5th worldwide in 2020 by the QS Ranking. In 2021, it was ranked 10th worldwide and 5th in Europe in clinical, pre-clinical and other health subjects by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Sally is currently pursuing her studies at Seoul National University (SNU), which is renowned as one of the prestigious SKY universities and is considered the leading academic institution in Korea. SNU holds an impressive position in the academic rankings, securing the No.41 in the 2024 QS rankings and No. 62 in the 2024 Times Higher Education rankings.

- Mr Stewart Paterson, Assistant Head of Senior School, IBDP/CP Coordinator

Welcoming alumni back on campus to hear of their new adventures and reminisce about their time with us is always a special moment. Having them share their experiences, challenges and successes with our current Year 12 and 13 students makes it all the more special and embodies the culture at Dulwich College Suzhou (DCSZ).

I witness students supporting their peers day after day, but I am always so impressed at how willing our students and alumni are to offer their support to our younger students at key transition points, such as moving into Year 7, the IGCSE/IB options process, the Year 11 transition day, and preparing for the final IB exams. We were delighted to welcome Sally and Edna to share their IB exam experiences with our Year 12 and 13 students, and we are looking forward to inviting Jessica Z, also from the class of 2023, back to The College to host a workshop with our Year 11 students as they ready themselves for the IBDP and IBCP. 

We look forward to welcoming home our alumni and giving them the platform to share their experiences and wisdom with DCSZ students and soon-to-be fellow members of the DCSZ alumni network.

Let’s see what Edna and Sally think after studying abroad:

Q: Could you share your university life experiences with us? How did DCSZ contribute to your success and adjustment in university life?

E: During my university studies, I found that the skills I acquired at DCSZ were invaluable. Collaborating and working with other students became a regular part of university life. DCSZ allowed me to develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills, which proved essential in my university journey. The teachers at DCSZ were incredibly supportive and encouraged us to explore various ways of learning and engagement. Additionally, the experience of being self-reliant and independent at DCSZ prepared me well for university life, as I quickly realised that the level of convenience I had in China was not readily available elsewhere.

S: One of the most significant lessons I learned at DCSZ was the importance of perseverance and resilience. The process of learning and growth mattered more than the outcome itself. I observed some students at my university who dropped out of courses due to a single poor grade. However, I understood that challenges are a natural part of the journey, and giving up should not always be the chosen path. Regardless of the obstacles I faced, I knew I could overcome them and find alternative ways to succeed.

Q: Could you offer some suggestions to our community? 

E: Have faith in yourself and remain dedicated to your aspirations. Explore every way and give your best effort to achieve your objectives. Remember, the journey may be challenging, but it will pass anyway.

S: When you face challenging situations, remember that they are temporary and will eventually pass. Don't give up; instead, keep pushing forward towards your goals.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Edna and Sally for their valuable contributions to our students. Their insights and experiences have been genuinely beneficial. We wholeheartedly wish them all the best for the future.