Alumni Feature: Kyle Kuzmic

Kyle Kuzmic attended the International School of Indiana (ISI) from Pre-Kindergarten until he graduated in 2011. 

After his time at ISI, Kyle continued his education at Indiana University Bloomington, double-majoring in Human Biology and French. After completing his undergraduate degrees in 2015 he continued his education at the IU School of Dentistry, completing his Doctorate in Dental Surgery and then at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry for his Certificate in Orthodontics and Master’s in Oral Biology. 

Kyle credits his education at ISI for opening up doors for him in college and beyond, including using his French to study abroad in Aix-en-Provence for 6 months during college, and to embark on dental service trips to Haiti while in dental school.

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With benefits like language immersion, the tight-knit community, or the IB Diploma Programme, what drew you most to ISI?

I did not realize this until later, but the IB program was so crucial to my academic success. When I was a senior in highschool, I was jealous of my friends at other schools who weren’t working very hard, who weren’t constantly writing essays or studying for intensive exams. However, once I got to college, I learned how much of a blessing it was. I could write A+ essays that were perfectly formatted without skipping a beat. I had the motivation and proper study habits already ingrained in me to the point where I could study efficiently and get good grades while having as much fun as I wanted, with my friends always asking how I did it. Success in college was easy, and I have ISI to thank for that. By the way, I was not even close to top in my class at ISI!
 
What made the hard work completing the IB diploma manageable was the tight-knit community. Being surrounded by a small group of people who are all experiencing it with you is such a blessing, and it creates stronger bonds that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Just last night I had a classmate of mine from ISI over to watch football. Another ISI classmate was my best man, and another one a groomsman. It really was a family feel while I was there (and sometimes a sitcom), and looking back I’m very fond of those memories.

ISI has a curriculum that focuses on shaping their students’ outlook on international relations. In your experience as an ISI student, how do you think this unique approach to learning sets ISI apart from other schools?

Exposure to different cultures outside of our own is liberating. It helps you better consider different points of view and thus makes you a better team member and and/or leader. To this day, I would consider my study abroad experience in college to be the best thing I ever did because it eliminated my complacency. I was forced to learn a different way to live and interact that made me more adaptable during tumultuous times and less shy of trying new, and possibly better, ways of doing things. Sadly, in the midwest we don’t have as much exposure to different cultures as we would have living in different parts of the country. ISI provides this exposure which is what sets it apart. Becoming fluent in other languages is then just icing on the cake!

What advice would you give to parents considering ISI for their children? 

ISI is not simply a fancy college preparatory school. ISI is a life preparatory school. Your kids will not just come out as lifelong learners, but also cultured and wise beyond their years. Not to mention, they will be able to translate movies for you, recite world history, and overall amaze you with their unique skills and ability to grasp different perspectives. If ISI even does half for your children what it did for me, it’s well worth it. 

From what extracurricular activities, or community-building events, were your favorite to get involved with at ISI, and how did they help shape the person you are today?

I was on the tennis team at ISI for 7 years, the swim team for 2 years, and the track and field team for 1 year! A sweet looking varsity jacket if you ask me. I also was in jazz band for a couple years, and the after school ultimate frisbee club which was my personal favorite. We also started a cover band called “The Class”, where I played drums (there’s an embarrassing/awesome picture of our “album cover” still on Facebook). We played all the talent shows and even put on a concert! Finally, I was on the Improv Comedy Team, because I love making people laugh!
 
Clearly, ISI had a lot to offer and I took serious advantage of it. The vast array of extracurriculars that I did at ISI taught me important lessons in being outgoing, active, and unashamed. Everyone is a unique, beautiful individual and needs to express themselves in whatever ways available, and ISI provided all the outlets I needed and more!