Sofiya Krikunchik ’26, a Russian student who spent three years at TASIS, has chosen to pursue a double major in International Relations and Computer Science at the University of Geneva (UNIGE). She selected this public research university over the University of Lausanne and the University of Neuchâtel. Fluent in Russian, English, and French, Sofiya distinguished herself academically throughout her time at the school. She earned a Bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with an impressive 40 points, scored a perfect 5 on the AP Precalculus exam, and was inducted into the TASIS Cum Laude Society chapter. In addition to winning subject awards in IB Mathematics and French Language Acquisition along with the Extended Essay Award, she captured both the Shah Akbar Khan Award for Excellence in Mathematics and the Excellence in English as an Additional Language Award at the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Beyond the classroom, Sofiya put her writing skills to work as a member of the Journalism Fellowship, publishing several articles about the TASIS community—including a detailed recap of her service work in Moldova through the Opsahl Global Service Program. Shortly after her graduation in May 2026, Sofiya reflected on her time at TASIS The American School in Switzerland. When asked whether her time at TASIS prepared her well for college, she stated that it taught her how to work with a large amount of information, manage time, and think more analytically. She also noted that studying in an international environment helped her become more open and confident in communicating with different people. Regarding the College Counseling Office, Sofiya explained that the advice on universities and the application process was especially helpful because the admission system can sometimes be very confusing. Thanks to their support, she felt more confident during the application process.
Sofiya found inspiration in communicating with students from completely different countries and cultures and learning to look at things more broadly. When asked about the courses or teachers she will remember most fondly, she explained that each class had its own atmosphere and was special in its own way. As an IB student, she had been taking lessons with the same teachers for the last two years. She particularly appreciated the teachers who were able to maintain both a high level and a friendly atmosphere in the classroom. As she looks ahead, Sofiya reflected on what she will miss most about her time at TASIS. She described the school as always having the feeling of a very active and international environment where something new was constantly happening. Although Lugano remains her home, where her family lives, she will miss the feeling of a school community and friendly walks in the city. Her experience at TASIS clearly shaped her academic and personal growth, preparing her for the challenges of university life. The skills she developed—time management, analytical thinking, and cross-cultural communication—will serve her well as she embarks on her double major at UNIGE. The College Counseling Office played a crucial role in guiding her through the complex application process, and her involvement in the Journalism Fellowship and Opsahl Global Service Program allowed her to apply her writing skills and engage with the broader community. Sofiya’s story exemplifies the value of an international education that fosters both intellectual curiosity and global awareness.
