“Taking the IB program helped me tremendously in doing my university assignments, I was prepared for long essays and research.”

JACQUELINE ANGELINA KWARI
GRADUATED: 2020

1. After graduating from Sekolah Ciputra, where do you study? What is your major?
Universitas Ciputra Surabaya and my major is International Business Management (International Class).

2. Can you please share your experience applying to university?
Since I wasn’t able to pursue my studies abroad, I had a fairly simple experience applying to Universitas Ciputra Surabaya since I was familiar with the registration process and it was within the same group as Sekolah Ciputra. The requirements needed to register to the university weren’t as complicated as universities abroad and so I took up some extra work to apply for their internal scholarship program which I was able to earn and have maintained over the years.

3. Can you please share your experience applying for IISMA?
IISMA preparation was hectic to say the least as there were several stages that we needed to go through after the initial application. We were sorted through interviews and submissions of additional documents that were often announced abruptly, and there were several tests that we had to do (i.e. English proficiency test, drug testing, etc). Though the road to the announcement was bumpy, I would say that being organized and constantly checking the IISMA website really helped me to stay ahead of my peers and made sure that I was on track with my application process.

4. What do you expect to do after graduating from university?
After graduating next year, I plan to take my master degree abroad as it has always been my dream and goal to pursue higher education abroad. I would also like to sharpen my skills and knowledge in a more specific major; as the International Business program that I am currently enrolled in, is a quite broad subject and I would like to specialize. I also aim to find new work experiences while I am studying abroad, so it can be a ‘2 birds, 1 stone situation’ as I will make use of my fresh graduate title whilst I am studying.

5. Are you in an internship program? Please share an overview.
Yes. The company that I am currently interning at is Martin Suryana and Associates which is a renowned law firm in Surabaya that specializes in corporate legal affairs. I was recruited by the company’s owner, Martin Suryana, through a work conference of which at the end of the meeting, he expressed his interest in recruiting me for my passions and Business Management background. Hence, I was employed as a Business Development Intern where I am in charge of creating marketing and operational strategies that can increase the company’s sales and effectiveness.

6. In what way did Sekolah Ciputra contribute to who you are right now?
As much as we used to ignore or even make light of the IB learner profiles, I do think that the learner profiles subconsciously embedded itself in my life through the decisions I make. I believe that my time in Sekolah Ciputra helped me grow as a person as I was a more confident, open minded and critical person compared to who I was when I first arrived in grade 10. Academic-wise, taking the IB program helped me tremendously in doing my university assignments as I was well prepared to do long essays and research that I have countlessly done during high school. Given that, I am much more capable of balancing my university life with other extracurricular activities like leading my program’s Student Union, taking up extra work and adding non-academic experiences.

7. What was the best thing about Sekolah Ciputra? Tell us something memorable from your time at Sekolah Ciputra
The best thing about Sekolah Ciputra is the people. My friends, teachers and the school’s staff made my high school years so much more memorable because of how kind and supportive they were. They never failed to make me laugh, supported me when I was having a hard time and helped me feel more confident in my skills and talents. I knew that I could count on my friends and teachers when I was having a hard time, and I think that is what matters the most when going through something as challenging as the IB program. Speaking of which, though it was difficult, the IB program remains to be the most memorable part of my high school as it constantly pushed me to work harder and think better. Despite that, it was also a program that created countless memories of mutual struggles, silly moments and eye-opening studies.

8. What advice would you give to a graduating student?
My advice for the soon to be graduated students of Sekolah Ciputra is to trust yourself and be confident. Graduating from high school is definitely a transitory period where some might still treat you like a kid, while others will start to see you as an adult, but you should look at this as a great opportunity to fail and lose. Don’t look at graduating as a starting line for you to only make correct decisions, because you will fail, you will make mistakes and this is the perfect time for you to do so. People might judge you for it but trust the process, trust yourself and most importantly, stay confident with what you bring to the table.

9. Would you recommend Sekolah Ciputra to others? If yes, what would you say about it?
Yes! It’s rare to find a school that fully supports your skills and talents, whilst also having a very supportive community of friends, teachers and staff. I would definitely recommend Sekolah Ciputra to my peers and future students.

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I barely have any free time these days but when I do, I’m usually buried in a book, binge-watching the latest TV shows on Netflix or going out to eat with my friends and family.

11. Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you Sekolah Ciputra for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me.