IB Student Profile: Building up World Citizens

The International Baccalaureate has the purpose of giving the future world well-rounded citizens. It does this not only by giving a particular education to today’s children, but also by instructing them with specific IB learner’s profiles. The objective of these profiles is to present the children the qualities they should have, not only in their student life, but also in their future life, as citizens of the world.

The first of the learner’s profile is “Inquirers”. In this profile, the student must develop his or her natural curiosity and acquire the necessary skills for conducting an independent inquiry or research. Next, comes “Knowledgeable”. This profile intends students to explore new concepts or issues with both a local and global significance. It also expects students to develop understanding and getting knowledge of a broad variety topics. The IB profile “Thinkers” envourages students to apply their critical thinking skills to recognise complex problems, and make reasonable decisions. Then comes “Communicators”. This profile wants the IB students to express their ideas and data confidently and creatively, in different languages and in different ways of communication. This profile does not only want the IB students to express themselves freely to an audience, but also in a practical way, in collaborative works with anyone else. Upcoming, there is “Principled”. This profile expects that IB students will always act with integrity, honesty, fairness, justice and respect towards an individual or a whole community. This profile also wants students to take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that may come with them.

The next five profiles include but aren’t limited to “Open-minded”, “Caring”, “Risk Takers”, among others. First, “Open-Minded” wants the IB’s young adults not only to appreciate their own culture and history, but also to understand different perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. Moreover, this profile wants students always to evaluate different points of view and to grow from them. Second comes the profile “Caring”. This profile hopes that students will show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. It also wants them to be always willing to serve and to make a difference in their society and environment. Third, “Risk-Takers” expresses the IB’s aspirations for students to be brave enough to approach uncertain, unfamiliar situations with courage and forethought. It also aspires students to explore new roles, ideas or strategies, and also to be brave and defend their own beliefs. Next, comes “Balanced”. This IB profile is one of the most important ones, since it aspires students to understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to fulfill an individual and collective world-being. Finally, and also one of the most important ones, is the “Reflective” profile. With this profile the IB expects the students to give a thoughtful consideration about their own experiences and learning. This way, they should be able to know their own strengths and limitations to support their personal development.

The International Baccalaureate has these 10 student profiles to guide students not only through their school life, but also in their future lives. It does so by giving them these models and values to follow in order for them to become exemplary world citizens. This way, the following generation will be understanding to the humanities’ societies’ differences, respect them and work together with them to build a better world for everybody.

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