Bright Horizons is a launchpad for future diplomats, innovators, and changemakers. It’s where young people learn that the future is not something to wait for, it’s something to create.
Education That Shapes Global Leaders
In an era where knowledge, innovation, and international cooperation define success, education must go beyond traditional frameworks. This is precisely what Bright Horizons International British School in Zagreb has been doing for years – combining the academic excellence of the British system with a modern approach to learning focused on developing global competencies.
As an accredited member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), Bright Horizons offers its students access to programs that connect them with peers and institutions worldwide, from international conferences and Model United Nations simulations to visits to key European institutions.
Young Voices Shaping the Future of Education
Students at Bright Horizons are encouraged to engage with global issues from an early age. This was powerfully demonstrated by a student who, in May this year, delivered a presentation on Artificial Intelligence in education in front of heads of COBIS schools from around the world. As one of the youngest speakers at the event, Milena Prodanić Tišma founder of IBSZ Bright Horizons, offered a student’s perspective on the role of technology in learning, emphasizing the need for balance, using AI as a tool for creativity and understanding, not a substitute for them. Her speech, widely recognized within international education circles, reflects the school’s culture of encouraging confidence, critical thinking, and articulate self-expression – values that prepare students to take part in shaping tomorrow’s world.
First-Hand Lessons in European Values
In early September, Bright Horizons’ Year 12 students visited the European Parliament in Brussels, where they had the opportunity to speak with EU representatives and experience how decision-making processes unfold within European institutions. The trip was organised in cooperation with Beta Croatia, an organisation that is actively working to provide young individuals with a deep understanding of the complex inner workings of European institutions through various initiatives.
The goal of such experiences goes far beyond civics education – it’s about understanding the values that define Europe itself: cooperation, dialogue, and solidarity. These same principles are woven into the philosophy of Bright Horizons and form a cornerstone of its educational approach. Learning beyond the classroom, through experiences that connect the students to real-world issues, inspires global perspectives and develops the leadership skills they need for the future.
Learning Diplomacy Through Practice
One of the key initiatives defining the school’s international spirit is participation in the Model United Nations (MUN) program. During the PLISMUN conference, organized in partnership with COBIS, Year 10 students explored diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution through a simulation of UN proceedings.
MUN offers much more than competition; it builds analytical thinking, teamwork, empathy, and global awareness. As the school’s leadership notes, the goal is not only to educate excellent students but to nurture responsible global citizens who understand complex world challenges and are ready to take an active role in addressing them.
British Standards, Personal Approach
Bright Horizons follows the British National Curriculum, enabling students to obtain internationally recognized qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels, which open the doors to the world’s leading universities. However, beyond the academic structure lies a philosophy centered on personal growth, emotional intelligence, and confidence-building. With small class sizes and an individualized approach, teachers encourage curiosity, independence, and creativity. Students are taught not just to learn, but to think – to question, to explore, and to innovate. This approach helps cultivate adaptability and leadership skills essential for success in the modern, interconnected world.