Meet Maegan Wijsman '20, who attended ASB for 12.5 years after moving to Barcelona from Johannesburg, South Africa, with her Dutch mother and Surinamese father. In her first year at the University of Amsterdam studying Media and Culture, Maegan, like many other university students worldwide, has been following her classes remotely due to the Covid pandemic.



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

"The IBDP taught me how to manage my time wisely under stress and pressure, something that is crucial in university. It also taught me to persevere. I felt very prepared."

What from ASB inspired who you are today?

"From my first day at ASB as a 6-year-old to the moment I graduated from high school, ASB teachers have always supported me, both academically and personally. I have gained skills and confidence from them that I will carry for the rest of my life. ASB teachers have shown me that although you might not be exceptional in every subject, everyone is good at something."

Tell us a little about any extracurricular activities you were a part of at ASB.

"I was a part of the ASB Soccer team for eight years and team captain my senior year, an experience that helped shape the person I am today. Being a part of a sports team teaches you valuable life lessons such as communication, patience, and working together to achieve an overall goal. I still view my teammates and coaches as family and people who share a large and beautiful part of my ASB time."

What would be a favorite ASB memory?

"My top two would probably be our annual Halloween celebrations, and my high school graduation, which was the best I had ever seen, amazingly put together despite the pandemic."

In your opinion, what makes ASB special?

"ASB is a community. I have seen it grow over the years, continually expanding and gaining new students, yet teachers always know who you are. As a student, you always feel cared for and acknowledged."



What are you thinking about doing after graduation?

"I would like to take a year to travel and support charity/volunteering programs. After that, I would be interested in working in the area of Communications."

Any advice for ASB high school students?

"Two things -

Do not procrastinate!! Especially IB students, you do yourself a great favor when you work in advance or complete an assignment the day you receive it. Do not leave anything for the last minute.

Be proactive. In our world today, there are many, many injustices. You might think that your voice is small and won't make a change because you're young and still in school, but it is the complete opposite. The possibilities are endless - you are never too young to stand up for what's right, and your voice can be the smallest missing piece to a big puzzle that will make a change. Be loud and dream big!"

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

"Community."

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

Contributed: November 2020