Claudia
IB student

Creativity. Action. Service. CAS is one of the main elements that make up the core of IB, and is part of what makes it such a strong educational system. The IB in general equips students with knowledge needed to prepare them for university and ultimately life. The IB system is notorious for its academic challenges, which is where CAS comes in, to provide some relief for the students and make their lives a little less mechanical. CAS allows students to embrace and apply their own skills and creative side; their sense of humanity and altruism; and maintain their health through fitness or through the support of a team. While many universities desire students who are academically successful, they also want an impression of your non-academic life and gain a better understanding of their personal characteristics. CAS is exactly what offers this insight and in the end is what develops students more holistically.
 

Shirin Muradova
IB student

“While still in middle school I was not quite sure about what CAS really is. I would more likely fit myself into the category of people who would do anything rather than engage in some sort of a community action. My misconception of CAS was based on the lack of knowledge about it. However as soon as I got to the Diploma Program, I realized what made this program so different and vigorous. It increased my awareness about how hard life can be for some people, and most importantly it gave me a chance to improve it. CAS is all about your social importance and your ability to positively contribute to the society. What I like about CAS in the IB Diploma is that it consists of three parts which give you a variety of possible actions you can engage yourself in to. In the end, what matters the most is the kind of person you are, and the effort you put into making the world a better place.”
 

Barbora Kudzmanaite
IB student

'CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) is something that each IB student has to complete. It has main three parts to it: Creativity (drama plays, being a part of a band, making an exhibition, etc.), Action (everything to do with sports!) and Service (helping people around you). One should try to complete around 50 hours of each aspect by the end of IB. However, to me, CAS is not about the hours but the effort I put into it. If one enjoys what he does for CAS, then it will be very easy to complete the program. It is all about doing what you enjoy rather than what you are told to do. We don't realize it but we do CAS every day!'
 

Cameron Gilroy
IB student

CAS to me is the opportunity and motivation to participate in a range of activities I normally would abstain from. Over the last year I have started playing the piano, rock climbed, been a member of a band and been an active member in my school community. I often compare the IB Diploma Program with other school programs and ask myself what the benefit of such a system is. I have come to the conclusion that the IB and CAS in particular help me to become a more rounded, active student, and a better person as a whole.