Well, it’s 2013. It is absolutely astounding how fast time flies. The research I started, what seems like ages ago, is finally coming to fruition. I set out back in June 2011, to set up an Alumni network that would help keep us all in touch and up to date on what’s going on. I’ve got some data on all of the network ties that were set up and they’re pretty interesting and surprising. I set up this blog, a Facebook page, LinkedIn subgroup and twitter feed. Each channel ended up being so very different! By far there are more LinkedIn group members than anything else with 104 in that group. There are 67 in the Facebook page. The blog get’s quite a lot of traffic but I’m hard pressed to tell you how many of those are actually IB alumni. This blog gets over 1000 views every month from over 131 different countries! That’s something!
With the exception of a handful of people out there, my lovely alumni, you have been so very quiet. I would love to hear what you’re up to. What countries are you in and what are you doing? Did you open a surf shop in Bali? 
I myself graduated in 2004 and am finishing my masters degree and working at JAMK as a secretary. Who knows what the future will bring? IB as a programme is doing well. The next round of entrance exams will be in April with 50 fresh faces coming in fall. Risto Korkia-Aho is still taking care of International matters but no longer teaches language courses. Matti Hirsilä is still our fearless leader. Kevin Manninen has moved back to the USA and Robert Webber turned up in the UK and all is well with him. Those of you that know the “Robert Webber Mystery” will understand why that’s so funny. Juha Saukkonen, Heidi Neuvonen, Steven Crawford and Piotr Krawczyk still maintain their teaching positions and are as innovative as ever.
Limit Breakers bit the dust some time back. It just couldn’t cope with the changes and had to be closed down. All good things must end. On a good note a new study track in music and media management will be added to the IB curriculum. You may have heard about the High Tech Management study track, but there’s also a ‘Culture’ study track which examines cross cultural communication in the work place. Life is good. Wherever this might find you, I hope you’re doing well and wish you all the best in 2013!
Best Regards,
Alison
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