When Tamia Montes joined BISP in 2024 after completing the IB Middle Years Programme in Hong Kong, she brought with her a passion for debate, Model United Nations (MUN), tennis and music. Over the past two years, however, those interests have grown into something much bigger. Through leadership opportunities, academic challenge and an active school community, Tamia has developed the confidence, skills and perspective that will accompany her long after graduation.

One of the defining experiences of her time at BISP has been Model United Nations. Although she is now a confident delegate and student leader, Tamia admits that speaking publicly did not always come naturally.

“When I first joined MUN, I was actually really shy,” she recalls. “At first, I found it difficult to speak up, but over time I realised that confidence comes from participating, not from waiting until everything is perfect.”

As her confidence grew, so did her ability to communicate, think critically and engage with complex global issues. MUN became far more than an extracurricular activity; it provided a platform to develop skills that complemented every aspect of her education.

Those experiences naturally aligned with the IB Diploma Programme, whose emphasis on critical thinking and inquiry encouraged Tamia to explore different perspectives across subjects such as History, Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Together, her academic studies and extracurricular involvement have helped shape her ambition to study law, with a particular interest in international law.

Beyond the classroom, Tamia embraced every opportunity to contribute to school life. She balanced the demands of the IB alongside tennis, music and debate, while also taking on leadership roles that allowed her to support and inspire others. Careful organisation and effective time management enabled her to make the most of everything BISP had to offer without losing sight of the importance of friendships and personal wellbeing.

Among her favourite memories is serving as a House Captain during Sports Day, leading warm-ups, encouraging teammates throughout the event and celebrating Green House’s victory. More than the result itself, it was the atmosphere of teamwork and school spirit that made the experience unforgettable.

For Tamia, one of BISP’s greatest strengths is its international community. Having attended schools in different countries, she values the openness and understanding that naturally develops when students from diverse backgrounds come together. She believes this environment makes it easy for new students to build friendships, find support and discover where they belong.

Looking back, Tamia sees BISP as a place that challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. Whether through leadership, academics or student life, each experience contributed to her personal growth and helped prepare her for the future.

Her advice to younger students reflects her own journey:

Get involved. Talk to people, try new things and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. That’s how you find your community, your interests and your confidence.                       

As she begins the next chapter of her education, Tamia leaves BISP not only with a strong academic foundation, but also with the confidence, resilience and leadership skills that will serve her well wherever her future takes her.