20 replies to this topic

[Arrowhead]

A pat time job during the IB is a good idea. I did the IB in Switzerland on academic scholarship. While the school paid for my tuition and accommodation, I was responsible for any extra expenditure like going to restaurants, grocery shopping, or travelling. My parents were happy enough to foot that bill but I was going through the beginnings of my independent streak, so I wanted to handle it myself. I got a part-time job as a Seamster at Madame Bellamy's Boutique de Mariage (Wedding Store). I stitched dresses, adjusted hemlines, and what-not, and also ran the cash register whenever Madame Bellamy was out.

It was a stressful job, not only because I was dealing with not-so-blushing bride(zilla)s all day, but also because I was speaking in French and I had only started French Ab Initio a month ago. I struggled to keep up at the best of times.

I used to work every day after school until 8 and every other Saturday. She paid me a pittance for the grind she put me through, but it was enough to get by on (and not to mention was college essay gold).

In-between working part-time, extra-curriculars from Football to Swimming to Drama to MUN to Debates to the School Newspaper and Charity Organisations for Service Hours, I had my hands full. I don't even know how I got though all my work, let alone stayed awake in class most days, but I wouldn't exchange the experience for any amount of comfort. Those were some of the busiest and best days of my life.

It's manageable, you just have to be focussed and on the ball at all times.

As Madame Bellamy often screeched at me: "Mon dieu! Es-tu stupid?" (My God! Are you stupid?)

The answer is a resounding, "Oui Madame!"

Cheers,
Arrowhead.

Edited by Arrowhead, Dec 12, 2011 - 02:59.