Southville International School and Colleges alumna, Andrea Rebecca Young of International Baccalaureate Class 2011, graduated Cum Laude at the University of San Diego in California with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration major in International Business.

Andrea had been in Southville since primary education up to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). She shared that Southville was a huge part of her adolescence and was glad she had the opportunity to grow up with a tight knit community. She said that Southville taught her not only academic and moral excellence but also the importance of fun.

“My favorite experience was probably the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) camp trip to Vietnam while I was in the IBDP. It was the first time I went abroad with my classmates and I was very excited about that. We toured the city while fulfilling the CAS requirements. It was an enjoyable time!”

Andrea, who practically grew up in Southville, shared that she still lives by the Southville culture of 5Cs of Character, Collaboration, Competence, Creativity and Commitment to Achieve and 3Rs of Respect, Responsibility, and Relationship.

“I think one of the biggest take aways I deem to be extremely important and what Southville prides itself on is one of the 3Rs which is Respect. Many people tend to neglect it but it is something that gets you a long way. It really defines a person’s character and I am fortunate to have that instilled in me from a very young age.”

Andrea, who recently won a case completion for the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations 2016 Manila conference, plans to build up her resume by gaining as much industry experience as possible and taking up a Master’s degree in the US or Europe before coming back to the Philippines. She encourages her fellow Monarchs to plan ahead and be motivated.

“I think knowing your priorities and having a set goal for yourself is a key step to being successful. When you have those two things, the rest will follow. Find your motivation and keep yourself determined to work towards your goal. And surround yourself with people who are the same. Throughout my university career my life did not revolve around just late nights at the library, but I knew that doing well was my priority and I never lost sight of that.”

Andrea’s sister, Isabelle, is likely following her sister’s footsteps. Like Andrea, Isabelle is also a homegrown Monarch starting primary grade up to International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). Isabelle was admitted to Emory University, University of California San Diego, University of California Irvine, University of California Los Angeles and University of San Diego, where she is admitted in the honors program and received the highest scholarship grant.

As Andrea is proud of her sister’s achievement, the Southville family is as proud of the Young sisters’ achievements. They are a true testament of Southville’s commitment in preparing its students to become leaders and movers of society— making them exemplary in their own field and discipline.