Jaroslav Vorac

Jaroslav Vorac is a Czech citizen who came to ISP on a scholarship in 2002. In 2006 he graduated with the ISP diploma and the International Baccalaureate, and continued his higher education at The Citadel in South Carolina.

During my four years of studies at ISP, the English language became second nature to me, introduced me to friends from all over the world, and opened many opportunities for me.

After ISP, I continued my studies at The Citadel (the Military School of South Carolina). As a cadet, I continued to strive for the excellence that I had learned at ISP. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Citadel in May 2010, in the top 10 in a class of about 400. I am now in the Master’s program in biology at the Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon in France.

I know that without the scholarship program at ISP, none of the things that I’ve accomplished so far in my life would have been possible. It not only opened doors for me, but also my mind.

Thank you and best regards,

Simon Mahler

Simon Mahler is a Czech citizen who came to ISP on a scholarship in 2003. In 2006 he graduated with the ISP diploma and the International Baccalaureate, and continued his higher education at Harvard University.

I transferred to ISP from a Czech public school in 10^th Grade. I had never written a structured essay, participated in a moderated debate, worked on an independent math project, or studied in any other language than Czech.

My transition was smoothed by the incredible amount of support from teachers who didn’t mind spending extra time with me or any other student. If I expressed the slightest interest in a particular topic, I would immediately receive further instruction and readings. I found myself hanging out in the Physics lab after class, playing with the equipment and discussing various problems that interested me.

I must admit that I don’t remember having much free time, but that was of my own choosing; ISP provided me with such a wide and tempting spectrum of afterschool activities that I had little need to look elsewhere – cross-country, basketball, preparing for a Model United Nations conference, playing hockey with a school-organized group, practicing with the jazz band, etc. I remember that when I was accepted at ISP, I felt that at the very least I would learn English. Well, that certainly was the very least of my experience.

The College Counselor started the college application process with me very early (I felt), asking me which Universities I was considering, putting me in touch with Admissions Officers, and advising me in detail. When I compared my experience with my new classmates at Harvard, I realized just how fortunate I was.

ISP encouraged me to follow any and all of my interests, so I must blame ISP for my curiosity and appreciation of so many fields. It made it somewhat difficult for me to select a major at University, but I finally concentrated on Applied Mathematics with a minor in History.

Although I miss the community, the friendliness, the discussions, the debates, and the respect, I formed life-long friends with many of my ISP classmates and teachers; we are all over the world, but we stay in touch and visit each other as often as possible.

The chance to study at ISP was an amazing academic opportunity.  It challenged my views, opening the doors to education – and the world – for me.