Name: Daisy Blijdorp
Year of Graduation: 2019
Tertiary Institution: University of Groningen, The Netherlands
“The DP has taught me to be adaptable and to persevere with challenging and unforeseen circumstances, such as the current Corona pandemic. Lectures are online and often pre-recorded, meaning these can be watched at any time and it is easy to fall behind. The time management skills crucial to success within the DP have equipped me with the tools necessary to adapt to this online environment.
Linked to this is the valuable skill of being balanced instilled in us through the CAS programme. Especially now, with everything being online from my student room, the importance of getting outside and exercising has only increased. Within the restrictions, I am still able to discover the world around me and make the most of my time as a student.
Tutorials are held through Zoom, Google Meet, or Blackboard (the university online platform), meaning the plethora of presentations we have to give are also in this online format. The DP has taught me to present in an engaging manner, which has proved a vital skill as keeping the audience’s attention online is difficult. My role as Head of Students also helped me develop my communication skills, giving me a head start in public speaking compared to my peers.
Not only the DP but also the international environment at HBIS has contributed towards making the step to tertiary education easier. The open-mindedness this taught me as well as the experience in interacting with different cultures have both been incredible assets considering the international orientation of my degree.
Although cliché, I can confirm: the DP prepares you for university and I do not think I could have had a better high school experience, both because of the programme and the incredible, diverse family HBIS has always been to me.“