<p>I'm a sophomore in high school currently enrolled in the Pre-IB program in preparation for IB. Recently, I was given a full scholarship to go to Germany for a year. I really have a passion for culture and travel and I honestly don't want to wait until college to study abroad. However, that being said, in Germany there's an uncertainty as to whether or not I can attend an IB school there since the program is about full immersion and that stuff. I get that, but school is only one aspect of immersion, not the only way to immerse oneself in culture. I feel to spend the first two years of high school working my butt off for IB and to not end up doing IB would be pointless...so any suggestions as to what I should do or if you know anyone who has done IB in these study abroad programs?</p>
<p>I would not say that doing 2 years of pre-IB is pointless if you don’t end up doing IB. It was still really good preparation for whatever you end up doing academics-wise. That said, it seems like the best option might be to see if you can find an IB program there as part of the program. Have you contacted the people in running the program to find out if this is an option?</p>
<p>(Also, congrats! I’m kinda jealous, too. I was going to do this in high school and was facing a similar decision, but then I had to drop the plan to go abroad when my mom got sick. 
)</p>
<p>You will discover great things in Germany and with a full scholarship it is a good deal. Take it. You won’t regret it and are young enough to keep your IB specialty going, which a language would help. </p>
<p>A high school year abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a culture and be part of family life. You will never get this chance again in college or later life. IThe IB DP is a good education choice but it is not the only good way to prepare for college. If you care about perceptions, there are far fewer students who study abroad on full scholarships than students who complete IB diplomas. Don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity! If you really want to come back and do the DP, just do an extra year. There’s no race to college! My D spent 6 years in high school to take advantage of fabulous opportunities. It didn’t hurt her competitive admissions at all.</p>