We are delighted to see how our alumni carry their experiences forward into impactful and meaningful careers. After graduating from GESS, Frederic Lorenzen embarked on a journey that led him into the world of psychology and education—fields that continue to shape his professional life today. Now serving as the Academic Director of Sciences while still actively teaching, Frederic reflects on the global perspective he gained at GESS, the mentors who inspired him, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing world.
Hi Federic! When did you graduate from GESS?
I studied in GESS from 2006 to 2008 which is when I graduated with an IB Diploma.
Can you tell us about your journey after graduating from GESS? What made you interested in the course that you have taken and looking back, were there any teachers, mentors, or experiences at GESS that had a significant influence on your choice of course or learning journey?
After graduating from GESS, I started studying my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Sunway University in Malaysia. After completing that part of my studies, I started working as a teacher at Sri/Dwi Emas International School teaching history for lower-Secondary students, as well as Biology and Psychology for IGCSE and A-Levels. While working there I completed my Masters in Psychology at Sunway University, and eventually (recently) got my Post-graduate Certificate in Education.
Looking back at my time in GESS there were definitely many factors that influenced my choices in life. We were the first batch of IB students at GESS and were represented by students from all over the world. Having classmates from so many countries was a huge benefit in taking a course like the IB diploma, and the kindness and friendliness from everyone in the course was something that I only learned to appreciate once I got older.
The teacher who had the biggest impact on me and also played a role in my pursuing a teaching career was Mr Luke Turner. His approach to teaching and relating to the students in the class enabled him to inspire everyone to learn the subject, but also to be better people in general.
What was your favourite memory of GESS while you were studying in Singapore?
Going through all the CAS activities required by the IB, although tiresome and frustrating during the time they were conducted, did leave me with many memories. But I do appreciate all the time spent with classmates in the students lounge.
Can you tell us more about your chosen career and insights into your current role as Academic Director of Sciences at Sri/Dwi Emas International School? What steps did you take to advance in your career, and what do you find most rewarding about your current role?
Still working as a teacher, it’s been a very fulfilling role although tiring at times. There’s rarely a dull day when working with children and with technology moving so fast in today’s world, every batch of students brings their own unique approaches and personalities that teachers have to navigate. Teaching is still a very large part of my day despite having more leadership responsibilities but doing that enables me to stay in touch with the work on the ground and enables me to lead by examples. I think it’s important to take on new challenges, try new things, keep learning skills, and not get too comfortable in methods that you are used to help in moving forward. I was lucky as well in having colleagues who believed in me and always encouraged me to push further, which gave me courage to take on more difficult roles and make mistakes along the way.
How did GESS shape or help your academic and personal development? What have you learned from GESS that you still carry with you?
From a personal point of view, studying at GESS gave me valuable exposure to all kinds of cultures from around the world, and enabled me to form friendships with people who are now all around the globe. Academically, and professionally, having studied at GESS helped me in a variety of ways too, especially since I am working within international education. The way that the teachers approached education and engaged with me as a student have always been foundational building blocks of how I teach my own classes and students. Having struggled a little in the German education system, shifting to an IB/International syllabus was a great step towards improving my learning, and letting me enjoy education more.
Are you still in contact with your GESS classmates? Have you attended any reunion with them?
Yes, we still have student chat groups where we stay in touch occasionally. It’s great to see my peers start new phases in life becoming mommies and daddies!
Would you like to share any advice or experience with current and graduating GESS students?
I think the way the world is shifting and moving forward can be intimidating for students growing up and preparing for their future nowadays. My own students always worry about what they are going to be working on when they grow up and how they can best prepare themselves to be successful. It’s good to have a plan for your future but the most important aspect of that is the step that you are going to take next. So instead of worrying about things in the future you can’t predict, focus on taking a solid and well-planned next step that will prepare and propel you best into the unpredictable distant future.
What advice would you give to students who are passionate about science and want to pursue a career in academia?
Those passionate about science and are eager to pursue their passion are going to be in for a great time. With the way that AI has advanced over the last few years, and the ways in which it continues to move forward as we speak, I am most certain that upcoming years are going to bring many life-changing discoveries and advancements that graduating students will be able to take part in. Take the initiative in learning how to use these new tools responsibly, collaborate with as many people as possible to foster relationships, and don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t feel like you know enough.
