Natalie Hendricksen is a smart young woman … one of Australia’s smartest, actually.
The Werribee High School graduate is gearing up to start university, but can boast an International Baccalaureate score of 41, ranking her in the country’s top two per cent.
Natalie did two VCE subjects in year 10, but decided to change over to IB in year 11, not knowing what she wanted to do after high school.
“IB allowed me to keep my options open, and do a really broad range of subjects,” she said.
“I liked that I had two years of being with the same group of people and teachers – we formed our own little family.”
The International Baccalaureate is a series of exams, different to VCE in that, upon completion, the graduate can apply to attend higher education institutions in several countries, not just Australia.
Looking back on her decision to take on the IB instead of VCE, Natalie says it was the right choice.
“I would recommend the IB because I think it gives you the opportunity to study from a global perspective, much like at universities, as opposed to a local perspective,” she said.
“Don’t get me wrong, both are good, but IB has smaller classes to learn new styles, and the transition into university is easier too.”
“The international perspective also means you can apply to go to university anywhere in the world.”
But Natalie has opted to stay in Melbourne, recently moving to live on campus at LaTrobe where she will study physiotherapy.
