Müller en route to Belgium

Karmi Müller is Namibia's top matriculant for 2023 from Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP). A driven

and passionate learner who worked hard academically, she is on her way to Belgium where she

will start her studies at KU Leuven in April.

The Belgian university is highly regarded in Europe. With qualifications she obtains

there, Müller has opportunities to work in various places all over the world.

Her plan is to study medicine. In 2021, she already started researching options where she can study

medicine, and KU Leuven was one of them. "I liked what the university offers in the medical field

and the opportunities that come with it."

Medicine at KU Leuven is a six-year course and after that it will be her specialisation. “I'm not sure

what I want to specialise in yet, but I’m looking into general surgery or reconstructive plastic surgery.

But as they say, only time will tell."



Making it happen

To realise this dream, Müller first has to write a Dutch language exam in May. She said: "I already attended

classes every Friday last year in preparation, and there is still a lot that needs to be done this year regarding the language skills".

To qualify for medicine, prospective students must write an entrance exam consisting of mathematics,

chemistry, physics and biology. "I use a private institution for preparation for the exam that takes

place in July."

The IEB-ISC syllabus that is used at WAP made all the difference, she said.

"This syllabus is accepted internationally, and I had no problem being accepted by KU Leuven.

For the entrance exam preparation, I wrote tests to determine where my academic levels are."

Müller explains that although there is a lot of work she did not do at school, the university was

surprised with her basic knowledge of the four subjects (chemistry, physics, math and biology).

The IEB-ISC underwent benchmarking by Universities South Africa and UK ENIC, affirming its

comparability to international standards. Candidates achieving the IEB ISC with merit or at an

advanced level now meet the minimum requirements for admission to a bachelor degree in South

African higher education institutions as well as institutions abroad.

Performance in the 2023 ISC examinations was highly remarkable with 543 candidates (94.9%)

passing. This is an improvement of 1.1% from the 2022 ISC examinations.



Going all out

Not only is Müller strong academically, but she also excels in her extracurricular activities.

"I gave 100% to what I undertook, whether it was sport, music or academics. I went all out." Müller

mentions that she had to plan her time carefully in order to pay the right amount of attention to

everything.

"I always saw my extracurricular activities as recreation rather than future career options."

Asked for her advice to learners who wish to pursue the option to study internationally, she said: "If this is your dream, then nothing should stop you. Everything is possible, but not necessarily easy".

She added: "I believe that as long as there is a healthy balance, one is capable of a lot. Hang out

with your friends, do sport and culture but know that everything has a time and place. I have a very

strong family support network that encourages and motivates me when things overwhelm me a

bit.

She concluded with words by which she stands: "Stay on your knees and know that everything can be achieved through faith".