Students Under the Spotlight: Amity Amsterdam’s Culture, IB & Future Aspirations   

Sol started attending Amity International School Amsterdam when she was 11 years old. She is now 16 and flourishing in her fifth year with us. Reflecting on her journey, she describes it as a transformative experience, filled with enriching learning opportunities and personal growth.

It was great to hear her speak about her story, which is an example of the power of international education.

Colourful Cultural Environment

“Amity Amsterdam’s environment celebrates diversity and inclusion, creating a nurturing space where every student feels valued.”

Sol started Amity International School Amsterdam in 2019. When she first arrived, she felt apprehension about stepping into the unknown. The transition to a new environment and seeing the unfamiliar have felt daunting for her. However, her anxiety quickly disappeared as she encountered the kindness of both the teachers and her fellow students. They made her feel instantly welcomed and reassured, by personal check-ins and meeting new friends on day one. Ever since she feels a deep sense of belonging at Amity Amsterdam, which she attributes to the supportive and inclusive community that celebrates diversity. “From the very beginning, everyone encouraged me to share my experiences, my culture and background.” she says with a smile. This nurturing environment has allowed her to form meaningful friendships and engage in a collaborative learning environment, making her feel connected and valued.

As she was encouraged and empowered, she started being more confident, took more responsibility and was involved in different activities. Sol describes the fact that the school embraces different cultures but also fosters an atmosphere where every student’s voice is heard and respected as a big plus.

IB Curriculum: Sol’s thoughts

“Instead of just memorising facts, we are encouraged to pose questions, and share ideas and observations.” - Sol, DP1

When she was asked about her thoughts on studying our curriculum, the IB programme, she highlighted how it empowers her to take charge of her education. “I love the IB programme because it gives us the opportunity to explore our interests and passions. Since starting at Amity, I’ve been always encouraged to select the topics I would like to explore for my personal projects,” she says. “For example, for my Middle Years Personal Project, I chose the subject of sustainable fashion and how consumer choices impact the environment. What I learned most about this, besides learning more about my own beliefs and how to work on projects independently, is how to critically evaluate sources, plan long-term tasks, and reflect on the greater impact of my everyday decisions.” This is a great example of how the inquiry-based approach to learning allows our students to take more responsibility for their own learning. We believe that this helps our students to understand the relevance of these subjects.

Sol also shared her insights on what makes the IB curriculum stand out. “One of the best aspects of the IB programme is how it encourages us to think critically and connect what we learn to real-world issues. For example, in one of our subjects we discussed how climate change affects global food security and what actions individuals and governments can take” she says. Later, she mentioned how her teachers always encourage them to pose questions. “We are always encouraged to ask questions and share our ideas and observations instead of just memorising facts. I believe this is a great difference from more traditional curricula, where the focus lies more on regurgitating facts during the exams. We learn about ethical dilemmas in science, like the implications of genetic engineering or AI, and we're asked to think about different perspectives.”

Sol mentions how the focus on international-mindedness teaches her peers and her to appreciate various perspectives. From her early years to her current status as a Diploma Programme student, Sol’s journey embodies the global, culturally diverse education fostering her sense of international-mindedness and open-mindedness that Amity Amsterdam strives to offer.

Although Sol hasn’t yet decided what she wants to study after completing the IB Diploma Programme (DP) at Amity Amsterdam, she feels confident that the programme is preparing her for a wide range of possibilities. “One of the things I appreciate most about the IB is that it we have a holistic education. I’m still exploring my interests, but I know I’m developing the skills I’ll need no matter what path I choose,” she says. “The school’s vision and mission and the environment that I come into every day have shaped my outlook on the world.” Sol believes that the values she has learned at Amity Amsterdam, such as respect, responsibility, and integrity—as well as our core concepts of open-mindedness and international mindedness, will continue to guide her as she discovers her future direction.

We believe that she will continue to thrive after she graduates from Amity Amsterdam and will make meaningful contributions to society and inspire positive change in this world. Thank you Sol, and all the best with your Diploma Programme!