Middle & High School
The Importance of Traditions
Why do we keep traditions generation after generation? Perhaps it is the need to connect to our past or the knowledge that rituals are the glue that keep societies and families together. Most of us have fond memories of childhood traditions and the comforting feeling of stability and predictability that came with it. Yet sometimes tradition does not fit into modern society and old ways are threatened to disappear completely. beijingkids spoke with students from Harrow International School Beijing to discuss their views on traditions.
Mirror, Mirror
Victor Kesten, Sweden, 16, has lived in Beijing for eight years
Elizabeth McMillan, Canada, 17, has lived in Beijing for three years
Anne Sophie Kristiansen, Denmark, 16, has lived in Beijing for two months
Noak Jonsson, Sweden, 16, has lived in Beijing for five years
The topic of body image could be an uncomfortable one for teens, as it can be such a personal and subjective issue. Of all the phases of adolescence, high school is difficult enough without having to worry about how you look. Students from the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), however, brought an upbeat and positive light to the subject, explaining how teens are not only aware of and affected by body image concerns, but how they know what’s good for them and what to do to stay well.
A Tangled Social Web
Gone are the days of pen pals and leaving messages on answering machines. Now, in addition to texting, there’s e-mail, Facebook messaging, Twitter updates and Chinese Facebook clones like Renren and Kaixin. Through these online social platforms, students can converse with their fellow peers and even their teachers. But what is the weight of these social media platforms? And what are some drawbacks to socializing online? beijingkids chatted with students from the Beijing World Youth Academy to weigh the pros and cons of socializing through websites.
I Want to Be a Baker
Hong Kong native Lexie Morris may have been slaving away in an office in London, but she was dreaming of cupcakes. In late 2009, the University of Cambridge graduate left her corporate strategy job behind to set up Lollipop Bakery. Drawing inspiration from afternoon tea shops in London, this Beijing brand brings Western flavors to Chinese and foreign palates alike. A household name in the Beijing cupcake enterprise, Lollipop offers an array of mouth-watering cupcakes from their signature Earl Grey and unique Red Bean to a classic Chocolate and Red Velvet. Morris shared mini-cupcakes and chatted with students at the Beijing City International School - explaining how boredom and a love of all things sweet blossomed into a business of butter crème frosted cupcakes and an iconic multi-colored logo.
Declarations of (In)Dependence
Kids grow up fast, any parent will attest to that. So, when is the right time for them to become independent? Is it when they graduate from high school? Perhaps when they get a job? Teenagers may think they can do everything on their own, but they also understand that Mom and Dad are around to protect them. We asked the students from Beanstalk International Bilingual School to tell us their thoughts on parent/child relationships.
From left:
Vincent Liu, 15, China, has been living in Beijing for 13 years
Bank Phanthet, 15, Thailand, has been living in Beijing for five years
Courtney Baker, 14, US, has been living in Beijing for seven years
Prisca Pfupajena, 14, Zimbabwe, has been living in Beijing three years
The Extra Mile
International school students have a head start in the university application stakes, especially where personal essays and interviews are concerned. However, while going to school in Beijing is definitely a conversation starter, resting on your international laurels won’t guarantee you entrance into your university of choice. Four recent graduates from Beijing’s international high schools tell us how they chose and managed their extracurriculars in addition to an already demanding course load. And more importantly, they reveal whether all those extra hours after school helped or hindered them in the long run.
Rushing to Judgment
International schools are a melting pot of languages and cultures that give students a broader view of the world. But is prejudice a normal human condition? Are we programmed to have preconceived judgments towards other groups of people even in a global society? Students from Canadian International School of Beijing explored this complex issue.
What does the word "prejudice" mean to you?
Duoen: Biased.
Tony: As soon as I say it, [I think of] the book Pride and Prejudice.
Sherry: I think of the quality of the way people think.
The Testin' Question
Standardized testing is the yardstick of the educational system and how we do on tests can determine where we go in life. Since the imperial examinations conducted in sixth century China, how one scores against their academic counterparts has surely been a nerve-racking experience. But considering the pressures placed on students and the knowledge-cramming rituals that most obey before test time, how effective are tests at measuring intelligence? We asked students from Yew Chung International School Beijing to weigh in on the importance of testing.
From left:
Annabelle McCombe, 15, England
Phoebe Woo Sze Lok, 15, China
Augustin Grougeon, 14, France
Hannah Kloek, 15, Singapore
Coming From Nowhere
Third-culture kid, that's what I am. I was born in Venezuela, hold a Spanish passport and have lived in Beijing my entire life. Well, since I was 3 months old. But where am I really from? There's no definite answer; there's just a gray area that I don't really like to touch. Because if you want a full-on, one word answer, it would be "Nowhere." And sure, that may sound a little depressing but it's actually good fun. It allows me to get creative. "But Camila," some people say, "Are you crazy? You have to come from somewhere!" Let me explain how this wonderful world that we live in has allowed me, Camila Ochoa Mendoza, to come from absolutely nowhere.
Let's start with the basics. My dad calls himself Venezuelan. Why? Because he was born in Venezuela, he grew up in Venezuela, he speaks like a Venezuelan, he dances like a Venezuelan and he acts like a Venezuelan. It's as simple as that. And he's a pro at all of them, whereas I am definitely not (even though sometimes I like to pretend that I am). When I go to Venezuela I feel like Tarzan. People always ask me where I'm from, because I definitely don't fit in with that crazy crowd. In my extended family, I'm known as The Chinese Granddaughter.
