CAS Final Reflection

Being a part of the IB’s CAS program these past two years has given me many opportunities to see more of the world I live in, and has given me even more opportunities to help. The program expanded my skills, as I participated in many activities from different areas of the program: creativity, action and service. Through my participation in GIN and GISS, I learnt that I could become a confident leader while remaining a good team member who listens to my teammates. I became the co-leader of both GIN and GISS, and I remained an active member: I led sale pitches with 2 other students to gain sponsorship deals in preparation for the GISS conference, and as each one came around, I could see my teammates’ and my own progress in confident public speaking.

The GISS conference was this enormous project that we undertook this year, as hosting it, along with the extensive preparation, consisted of a lot of work on the part of both students and teachers. As student leader of the GISS human resources committee, the teacher working with me and I had initiated the search for the 17 golden heart scholars by sending out application forms and posters to many schools in and around Nairobi.

In my junior year, I set myself a goal that I would broaden my experience of ISK’s extracurricular options by joining in more groups. Even though I remained an active participant in my four main groups, GIN, Photography, NHS and Track & Field, I also participated in Artsco., Operation Smile, Guitar and in Leisure Club. I found that my participation in 2 groups from each section of CAS really invigorating, as I was able to compare my experiences, be part of a diverse routine and help on a larger scale than I was when only being part of one group. I learnt how to play a new instrument, the guitar, and I enjoyed my lessons a lot, because as soon as the basics are covered, a student can get a lot of joy out of playing an instrument.

At the end of my junior year, I decided to refine my diverse experience by concentrating more on my main groups. Due to this decision, I had to stop going to Operation Smile, Artsco. and Leisure Club, though I continue to support them by going to functions that they organise, or participating in their fundraisers.

Being able to concentrate on activities such as photography was very beneficial in terms of my improvement. Though I remain an amateur photographer, I now understand different techniques and styles of photography, and I can critique a photograph fairly and then use the feedback to apply it to my own photography. Doing group projects in photography is also very inspiring, because I can learn from my partner, just as they can learn from me, and being a team gives the individual more understanding of the topic.

In track and field, I wanted to test my abilities, so I trained for multiple racing and field events, including the 100m, 400m, 100m relay, long jump and high jump. I wanted to find an area where I was good, but could become better. Halfway through junior year, I became the high school girls’ team captain, and I was in charge of organising our team’s training sessions and looking out for my team members. With this position of leadership, I set out to ameliorate my track skills so that I could help my team members in any way that I could.

Persevering with these 4 groups was seldom a challenge, as I had chosen to participate in activities that I am passionate about.

Becoming a leader in these activities allowed me to see where I had space for improvement, and it increased my awareness of my abilities and of the things that I couldn’t do. Due to this, I managed to improve in the areas that needed improving, such as my patience and tolerance.

Going back to GIN and GISS, I have to admit that they are a huge factor in my life: being a part of GIN’s orphanage trip to Shangilia allowed me to experience first-hand the conditions that over 80% of Kenyans live in, and the difference we are making in those children’s lives was clear. Experiencing this just reminds us constantly how privileged we are, and that we have the power to make a positive change in the life of someone less fortunate. Therefore, we have the obligation to help.

Overall, the program allowed me to develop new skills in sport, to develop my social skills and I can now value them while integrating them in my lifestyle. My experience with CAS at ISK has made me a genuinely well-rounded person: without these empowering experiences, I would be a very different person today. My experiences, especially with GIN and the inspiring GISS conference, which turned out as a huge success thanks to our hard work, has moved me to continue with the goal of helping others and helping our environment. I am grateful that I had the chance to engage with such diverse activities.