Anastassia Smyslova ’26, a Russian-Swiss student, will attend Boston University after applying early decision to study Comparative Literature and Arts. She aspires to become an art curator. A gifted linguist fluent in English, Russian, French, Italian, and Spanish, Anastassia completed eight years at TASIS and earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. She demonstrated early academic commitment by taking AP European History in grade 10 and received a Torch Award during International Week in grade nine—an honor granted to one student per grade who embodies cross-cultural understanding and reaches out to peers from other backgrounds. Beyond academics, she was co-editor of the 2026 edition of ANIMA, a student-produced literary magazine, and co-founded the Introduction to Psychology Club. She also served on the TASIS Speaker Series Committee for two years and was an active member of the Dante Club. In a post-graduation interview, Anastassia reflected on her biggest accomplishments: navigating studies and life over two years opened her eyes to new perspectives through exploration and self-reflection. This journey led to an integration and appreciation of literature, all the languages she speaks, and the visual arts, profoundly shaping how she approaches new experiences. Regarding college preparation, she credited the rigorous IB Program with developing critical thinking, inquiry, and communication skills, while the CAS program encouraged self-reflection and consistency outside the classroom. She felt these efforts gave her a strong foundation for university. Anastassia found inspiration in learning about different cultures during events like International Week and in everyday conversations with peers. She will remember Dr. Love most fondly—her teacher for three years—who introduced her to literary intricacies and taught how texts reflect the external world, expanding her knowledge of philosophy, psychology, and the arts. She will miss the diverse community and spectacular campus she appreciated daily.
Anastassia Smyslova’s eight-year journey at TASIS exemplifies the school’s commitment to cross-cultural understanding and rigorous academics. Her fluency in five languages and her IB Diploma underscore her linguistic and scholarly dedication. The Torch Award in grade nine recognized her early efforts to bridge cultural divides, while her co-editorship of ANIMA and co-founding of the Introduction to Psychology Club highlight her leadership and initiative. Her two-year service on the TASIS Speaker Series Committee and membership in the Dante Club further demonstrate her engagement with intellectual and cultural life on campus. In her reflections, Anastassia emphasized how the IB Program’s critical thinking, inquiry, and communication elements—along with the CAS program’s emphasis on self-reflection—prepared her for college. She credited her exploration of literature, languages, and visual arts with expanding her worldview. Her inspiration from cultural diversity, both during International Week and daily interactions, reflects the inclusive environment at TASIS. Her fondest memories center on Dr. Love, whose three-year mentorship deepened her understanding of literature as a reflection of the external world and broadened her knowledge of philosophy, psychology, and the arts. Anastassia will miss the diverse community and beautiful campus that she appreciated every day. Her acceptance to Boston University via early decision and her aspiration to become an art curator illustrate how TASIS nurtures students who integrate academic excellence with global perspectives. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of an international education that values both intellectual rigor and cultural immersion.
