Edinburgh’s International Award
- Gokkusagi College
- Education
- Edinburgh’s International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program (DofE) at Gokkusagi Schools
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global youth development program founded in 1956 by the Duke of Edinburgh and German educator Kurt Hahn. By offering this prestigious program, Gokkusagi Schools enable their students to discover their potential and develop new skills.
Why is DofE Important?
DofE provides a structured framework for personal and social development for young people. This program boosts participants’ self-confidence, encourages them to take on challenges, pursue their passions, and uncover talents they hadn’t previously explored.

Benefits of DofE

Skill Development
- Encourages participants to explore new interests and talents.
- Develops perseverance and commitment to learning.
- Provides in-depth knowledge in chosen activities.

Community Service
- Emphasizes the importance of community service and volunteering.
- Encourages young people to contribute positively to society.
- Develops empathy and social responsibility awareness.

Physical Development
- Promotes physical health and an active lifestyle.
- Enhances teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Fosters a spirit of adventure and exploration.

Environmental and Nature Awareness
- Boosts self-confidence, teamwork, and collaboration skills among young people.
- Teaches respect for the environment and nature.
Benefits of DofE
Self-Confidence
Instills the ability to overcome challenges and believe in one's abilities, fostering confident individuals.
Emotional and Mental Management
Enhances emotional awareness, providing emotional balance to cope with stress and challenges.
Resilience and Determination
Develops perseverance in the face of challenges and determination to achieve goals.
Relationship Management and Leadership Skills
Fosters the ability to build healthy relationships and lead, supporting teamwork.
Creativity and Adaptability
Enhances creative thinking skills and the ability to quickly adapt to changes.
Planning and Problem-Solving Skills
Develops effective planning and problem-solving skills, enabling individuals to overcome complex situations.
Social Responsibility Awareness
Nurtures socially responsible individuals who contribute positively to society.
Understanding Different Cultures
Increases cultural awareness, fostering respect and understanding for different cultures.
Happiness in Personal and Social Life
Equips individuals with skills that provide satisfaction and happiness in both personal and social life.
Effective Communication Skills
Develops the ability to express ideas and emotions clearly and effectively.
The DofE programme aims to support young people’s personal and social development, preparing them for the challenges they will face in the future. Rainbow Schools offers its students a wide range of learning and development opportunities through this programme.
OUR SCHOOLS
Ankara
Cankaya Campus
Antalya
Muratpasa Campus
Bursa
Ozluce Campus
Istanbul
Atasehir Campus
Istanbul
Bahcelievler Campus
Istanbul
Bahcesehir Campus
Istanbul
Beylikduzu Campus
İzmir
Cigli Campus
Leaders in Change

At Gokkusagi Schools, the experimental laboratory works in Chemistry and Biology courses and the reports I prepared for the internal assessment components of the IB have been very useful in my practical studies in my department at the university.
Selen Kurt
Biological Sciences and Genetics, University of Birmingham

In my first year of university, I found that the topics covered in the Mathematics and Science courses were ones I had already studied in the Cambridge A Levels program while in high school. I would definitely recommend the A Levels program to those who want to study at a university in the UK.
Mehmet Emir Döğücü
Aerospace Engineering, University of Manchester

The Cambridge A Levels Mathematics and Physics courses I took at Gokkusagi Schools provided me with an easy start to the architecture department.
Berkan Çetinbağ
Architecture, La Salle University of Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.

To be honest, I initially struggled with the IB because it was a new style of learning for me. We also had online classes during the IB. There’s a similar practice in university now. Thanks to the online skills I acquired in high school, I’m progressing very comfortably at university.
Veli Şiar Velioğlu
Architecture, Politecnico di Torino University, Italy

The Statistics course in the Cambridge A Level program boosted my grades at university. The multinational and multicultural classroom environment at Rainbow College made it easier for me to adapt to the Netherlands and university life.
Ekrem Naci Taşcıoğlu
Business Administration, Radboud University, Netherlands

While my friends at university complain about writing long essays, I realized that I had made significant progress in this area during my IB journey and that I could easily write essays at university too. I’m about to finish my third year, and during a job interview here, I noticed that the manager was very impressed with the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) projects I did in high school.
Yunus Emre Çiçek
International Relations and Global Studies, Wroclaw University, Poland

During my IB Mathematics course, discovering the impact of technology on mathematics, the power of mathematics, and its role as a means of communication led me to choose the mathematics department at university. The IB CAS program, which aims to promote a balanced life, made me start loving sports and art.
Emre Ufuk
Mathematical Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul

The IB program was challenging, but definitely worth studying. It taught me how to make decisions, focus, and manage my time effectively. Learning to work under stress and access the right information quickly is now very useful to me at university. When I compare myself to other graduates, I see that my study and essay writing skills are much better. Because IB forced us out of our comfort zones, I feel that I have grown as an individual, developed, enhanced my life skills, and started to become a more confident person.
Leila Shaheen
Dentistry, Medipol University, Istanbul

Receiving an education in the IB program that was far from the traditional high school teaching approach taught me skills development, stress management, and how to handle my workload. I learned to place myself within an academic discipline, acquired critical thinking, strong analysis, and advanced academic writing skills. My understanding of scientific knowledge and processes increased. The IB CAS process helped me to think reflectively, that is, to discover my own strengths and weaknesses.
Belal Hussam
Industrial Product Design, Bahçeşehir University

The IB is more than just a program consisting of six subjects; it cultivates you into a person with a good character. The challenges in the IB facilitate quick adaptation to new systems. Your English improves tremendously, and your curiosity about science increases. I passed the English proficiency exam at ITU with an AA grade, allowing me to skip the preparatory class and start the first year directly.