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Earlier this year, one of Berg’s students, Katharina Grodys Qvale was accepted into the prestigious French university Sciences Po. In this interview, she tells us about the university, IB and her journey there so far.
Tell us briefly about yourself
Well, that’s a hard question to answer. I’m really interested in a variety of things. I’ve gone to school in both Norway and France, and started IB when I came back from France. I’ve also worked for CISV (Children’s international summer villages) in many countries, among them Japan and the Philippines. CISV is a peace organisation. I’ve done CISV since the age of 11. I am not afraid to voice my opinions, and I’m a member of both AUF and MUN. I’ve done many kinds of sports as well, ranging from basketball to handball and volleyball. I’m also quite fond of literature, something that I’ve found to be a good thing when taking IB.
What can you tell us about this university you’ve been accepted into?
It’s called Sciences Po. (Po. stands for politics). Many French presidents have attended this university, and it’s held in a very high esteem, both in France, but also throughout the world. Actually, it’s not really a university, it’s apparently a hybrid between university and college. In France, Sciences Po. is seen as somewhat of an elitist education, however, not in the negative sense of the word. A few Norwegians have previously studied there, and some are there currently. For me, Sciences Po. is particularly attractive since it’s not focused solely around subject, but they aim to educate the students in a range of subjects. Among these are economics, politics, law, social science and history. Every student at the university has to study one year abroad.
What was the application process like?
It was exhaustive to say the least. I needed personal references from two different teachers, including expansive questionnaires. You also need to write a letter of motivation of 1000 words. To submit these things, you need to create a profile on their webpages. They need a full record of your grades and predicted grades. I was also encouraged to elaborate on my extra-curricular activities and interests. After all this, my application was finally accepted, and I was summoned for an interviewed, which I ultimately passed.
How has IB shaped you into a person that’s ready for Sciences Po.?
I regard IB as being perhaps the best upper secondary education for students with an international academic perspective. It may seem complex at first, but the combination of subjects molds you into an independent student with a mature academic experience. This in turn makes it easier for IB-students to adapt to college-/university life later on. Finally, the most important thing about IB is that I’ve learnt so much over just two years.
If you were to give a potential IB-applicant some tips about the programme, what would it be?
IB facilitates so that you can more easily make the transition to academic life, both in Norway and abroad. If you have the ambition and motivation, IB is for you!
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