• Describe how you felt when you first found out that you had the highest score at Bali Island School this year.

I was happy, especially because I had experienced a setback during the exams. Getting dengue during my busiest week made me unsure of how my results would turn out, so seeing my final score was a wonderful moment. I felt genuinely proud of myself for accomplishing something I had worked hard toward for two years

• What was your biggest challenge during the IBDP, and how did you overcome it while staying balanced? Share any study habits or strategies that helped you the most.

I believe my biggest challenge was balancing school with other activities I was involved in, such as DofE, StuCo, and IISSAC sports. All of these activities took up a lot of time, and I sometimes worried they didn’t leave me with enough time to focus on my schoolwork. Interestingly, I also think those activities were part of the solution. By making sure I didn’t give up the things I loved and staying involved, I pushed myself to manage my time well and make the limited time I had for schoolwork more efficient.

• Share a story about a family member, teacher, or friend—or a specific experience at Bali Island School—that had a meaningful impact on your IB journey.

The people who had the most meaningful impact on my IB journey were my family and my best friend. They reminded me not to take it too seriously and that there are more important things than getting a good grade. 

My IISSAC sports coaches were also a huge part of my DP journey, and I’m grateful to them for the experiences we got to have and the positivity they shared.  

• Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during your IBDP years?

I reflected on my experience and chose to approach DP2 differently from DP1. I decided to devote a little less mental energy to academics and a little more to the things I loved doing. If I could start over, I wouldn’t hesitate as much to pursue the activities I genuinely enjoyed—whether that meant joining IISSAC trips, participating in extracurricular activities, or spending time with the people I cared about. I used to think that putting pressure on myself was what enabled me to succeed. However, when I stopped placing so much value on grades and numbers, I performed just as well while having more time to do the things I enjoyed.

• Tell us about your next step after Bali Island School!

I’m currently taking a gap year before heading to Switzerland to study hospitality management. During this time, I’ll be working abroad in Australia and China. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and gaining new experiences before starting university

*IISSAC: Indonesian International Small Schools Activity Conference

*StuCo: Student Council

*DofE: the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

*IBDP: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 

*DP: Diploma Programme