Meet Clara Fauvet from the Class of 2020. She is currently studying medicine with a minor in law at the University of Paris. Clara attended ASB from Grade 10 until graduation. Her siblings, Inès, Félix, Lucile, and Rafaelle, also attend ASB and are currently in grades 12, 7, and 5, respectively. We caught up with Clara to ask about life since ASB.

Can you tell us a little about your choice of university?

"I knew I wanted to study medicine, but I was hesitating between universities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and France, all of which had different requirements - from pre-exams during their application processes, to age restrictions, to the language of instruction for some courses. Finally, after much research, I decided on the University of Paris (Descartes-Diderot), which is a great choice for me despite having a rigorous application process. I would advise ASB seniors to start their university search early, to ask questions, and to persevere to find their perfect university and career path."

How was your senior year at ASB last year amidst the Covid pandemic?

"Since we did not have the actual IB exams last year, I think it was less stressful on the academic side. However, it was very stressful emotionally since we had to deal with all the unknowns of the pandemic. Additionally, our grading system changed for the better for some students and the worst for others. Having our entire subject grade depend on just the Internal Assessment, and being slightly influenced by teachers' predicted grades was definitely a surprise. We were also anxious about the universities themselves. However, with patience, perseverance, and hard work, we were all able to make it. I believe we all learned that you need to work consistently during the IBDP and not just depend on IB exams. We also learned to be proactive and to adapt to complex situations." 

How have you commenced your studies this year at university with the Covid restrictions?

"Most of our classes this year are online, which is not too bad since it enables us to rewatch the lessons and focus more. We are quarantined again in France at the moment; however, since it is our revision month before the exams, it does not really affect us." 

How prepared were you after completing the IBDP for university studies?

"I feel like the IBDP benefited me. Although I didn't take physics, which slightly disadvantaged me compared to other French students in medicine, my other subjects - chemistry, biology, and psychology HL - provided me with an excellent base for my current lessons. The IBDP also helped me develop lifelong skills like hard work, dealing with pressure, individual and group work, as well as the capacity to make connections between different subjects."

What from ASB influenced your life/choices or inspired who you are today?

"ASB made me grow as a person and shaped who I am today. Thanks to the different language & literature classes like Spanish A with Mr. Alberto or English with Mr. Petrillo and Ms. Thompson, I learned to be more open-minded and critical. Thanks to Psychology HL with Ms. Kurtz, I improved my critical thinking skills and gained a better understanding of human cognition and behavior, which increased my interest and desire to become a psychiatrist. Thanks to Chemistry and Biology HL, with the amazing Mr. Whitehair, Mr. Llamazares, and Mr. Motta, I was able to become more hard-working, to overcome challenges, and to mix theory and practice."

"ASB also gave me great opportunities to participate in internships and travel for school. I participated in many Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, which helped me build public speaking skills, confidence, and awareness of world issues. I also completed an internship at the Institute of Oncology of Catalonia with Ms. Marta. I learned a lot about cancer research and how to work as a scientist. Finally, my favorite experience was the medical mission to Peru, during which we were able to work with many American doctors as translators. We helped many less privileged people for two weeks, one week in a hospital and the second on a boat on the Amazon River."

"ASB also gave me amazing friends, who helped me become myself, survive the IBDP, gain confidence and maturity, as well as balance and joy. I am very thankful for them."

Any advice for younger students?

"You only live once!" :) "Do what makes you happy. Make sure you work hard to achieve what you want and help others achieve their goals too."

If you could describe ASB in one word, what would it be?

"Diversity."

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!
#Lynx4Life #ASBtogether

Contributed: November 2020