1) What did you study with Pamoja?
I took Pamoja online IB Diploma courses in Business Management HL French ab initio SL and Extended Essay SL, alongside my school’s face-to-face curriculum.
2) What year did you graduate the IB DP?
2022.
3) Why did you choose to do a Pamoja online course?
I had always dreamed of studying international business and knew that taking Business Management would give me the right foundation. My school didn’t offer the subject, so Pamoja gave me the opportunity to study it while still completing my other IB courses in school. Learning in an international online classroom also helped me see business from many different cultural perspectives, which has been invaluable for my future plans.
4) How has studying with us supported your future ambitions?
It gave me a strong foundation in Business, which I’m now pursuing at university. It also made me confident that I can adapt to new learning environments and work effectively with people from diverse cultures. Pamoja Online Courses made my face-to-face subjects easier to manage, as I could fit my online study around my school timetable. Having that flexibility meant I could balance my time more effectively, stay motivated, and often perform even better in my online courses. I had so much support from my Pamoja teachers, and in the end I was better prepared for, and performed better in, the exams for my Pamoja subjects than the subjects that I took at my school.
5) What key skills has our flexible study approach helped you develop?
Time management, discipline, and the ability to learn independently. The asynchronous model allowed me to plan my week, manage my projects, and take ownership of my learning. Studying online with Pamoja has taught me lessons I will use beyond the classroom.
6) How did engaging with our international school community help with your learning?
It helped me feel connected despite learning online. It was different, but in the best possible way. Because my classmates were in so many time zones, there was always someone available to talk to in real time, and I could always rely on someone being there to help out. It also favoured having meaningful conversations – we were set up in different groups where we could talk about our daily lives. It was amazing, because it was a deeper connection than you’d expect in a face-to-face classroom. Class discussions with students from around the world gave me new perspectives, especially in Business, and taught me how to communicate and collaborate in a global setting.The level of student collaboration and the international nature of tasks have enabled me to feel connected on a global scale, outside of the small town which I live in. It has allowed me to meet people from all over the world from places such as Indonesia, USA, Austria, and even some others living near to me.
7) What advice would you share with other students thinking about studying a Pamoja online course?
I’d say go for it! Honestly, it was one of the best decisions I made as an IB DP student.
My biggest piece of advice for someone taking a Pamoja Online Course would be to make sure you connect with your classmates – you’ll get to know so many new people from all over the world, and that’s what makes it a truly unique experience.