Gui Gui – Beijing Kids

From Our Archives: Away From it All – Beijing’s Kid-Friendly Restaurant Retreats

Nimo_Wanjau — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 02:00:00 +0000

After a long week in the city you sometimes just need to get away from it all. The good news is that you don’t always need to travel too far to lose yourself in a tranquil restaurant retreat.

The suburban districts of Beijing are filled with hidden gems, serene enough to feel like you’re out of the capital but with plenty of outdoors space and activities for kids. So the editors of our sister publication jingkids, have put together some out-of-town restaurants for those looking for a lunchtime getaway.

Fishtail Garden Family Farm

Type of cuisine: Organic buffet, Shanxi, Indian

Recommendations: Mutton, vegetable salad, fish pot

With weekend parties that seem to be largely attended by the owners’ families and friends, the Fishtail Garden Family Farm can feel like a private club at times. But everything needed to relax body and mind can be found in its tranquil grounds, from tiny stones carved with thousands of strangers’ names to the shapes etched into the signposting. What’s more, Fishtail is a fully-functioning farm so there’s plenty for kids to see and do. As well as a fish pond, rabbits, geese and chickens, they can also see the how the kitchen’s fruits and vegetables are grown in soil or the farm’s own greenhouse.

The farm is open on weekends 10am-5pm and can cater for up to 50 people. Buffet costs RMB 200 per person and reservations are required a day in advance by telephone 400 018 0096 or email at fishtailgarden@sina.com.

The farm is hidden away behind a maze of trees and fences but you can get to the area easily enough via the Subway Line 15 (Maquanying, Exit A). For detailed directions please see our previous blog post, Fish at the Farm: Fishtail Garden Weekend Lunch, or call in advance to have someone collect you from the station.

Jianyi Jingyuan – Huafu Chinese Restaurant

Type of cuisine: Palace cuisine

Recommendations: Elegant seafood mixture, South Putuo fish fin, Zhizi roasted meat

This fancy Chinese restaurant is not far from the city, but distant enough to feel as if you’ve escaped from the traffic and pollution. The flavorsome dishes are matched by the building’s décor and the greenery that surrounds. Mid-afternoon is the best time to visit if you want to eat outside and, as you chat over tea, the kids can play in their fabulous play area, complete with slides, swings and see-saw.

Open 11am-10pm. There is a BBQ from 6pm at weekends which costs RMB 298/person and RMB 149 for kids.

18 Waguoyuan Xi, Wan’an Donglu, Yuquan Mountain, Haidian District (8259 6669) 海淀区玉泉山万安东路西洼果园18号

Agrilandia Italian Farm

Type of cuisine: Italian

Recommendations: Caesar salad, sirloin steak

Located past the airport to the north east of the city you can escape the Beijing bustle in Agrilanda’s spacious grounds. When we visited, we ran into some international schoolchildren enjoying the bouncy castle, petting zoo and fruit orchard. And if your kids really take to the place, you can also rent land on the site and grow your own vegetables.

Average price of RMB 260-320. You can also 10rmb/pound for picking vegetables (RMB 10/lb), cherries (RMB 60/lb) or buy imported fruits (RMB20/lb)

For reservations call 6940 7280 or for groups call 6940 7700.

The Orchard

Recommendations: Orchard Salad, special self made ice cream

Through word of mouth and personal recommendations has enabled this establishment to survive more than 10 years. This farm takes up to 80 acres with three greenhouses that grow lettuce, celery, parsley, rosemary and vanilla. In the month of August till early September you can eat apples and pears from the trees surrounding the restaurant. Booking a reservation is advisable as companies and international schools tend to host parties at the venue.

It is opened from 12-3pm for brunch buffet on the weekends. It is RMB 255 per person, free for kids aged 0-4 and RMB 100 for children aged 4-12. Every Thursday night, kids below 12 are free.

Add: Sunhe Lu, Chaoyang District. (Close to SciTech Outlets around the Maquanying Subway stop). It is easier to get to if you have your own car or taxi as it is a bit confusing.

Photos courtesy of jingkids

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Tsinghua International School (THIS) 清华大学附属中学国际部

beijingkids — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair in March 2014.

A division of the local high school attached to Tsinghua University, Tsinghua International School integrates progressive American educational philosophies with Chinese educational perspectives. The primary school curriculum follows the Bank Street Model of education,in which “lively intellectual curiosities turn the world into an exciting laboratory andkeep one ever a learner.” The secondary school encourages students to explore a wide variety of interests, develop exceptional academic skills and become motivated self-directed learners. The curriculum prepares students for universities in the US, Canada, and other Western countries.

Founding date: 2008

School type: International day and boarding school

Grades offered: Grades 1-12

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

Accreditation: Candidate school for WASC

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):
Application fee: RMB 1,000 in cash (non-refundable)
Secondary school: RMB 99,000 per year
Primary School: RMB 89,000 per year
Lunch: RMB 10-20 per meal
School Bus: Varies according to route
Dormitory (boarding students only): RMB 18,000 per year with RMB 1,000 security deposit

Age range: 6-18

Number of students: 360

Nationalities of students: American, Canadian, Korean, Japanese, Hong Kong

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? No

Primary teaching language: English

Languages taught: English, Chinese and Spanish

Class size: Max 20 (primary); Max 25 (secondary)

Teacher/student ratio: 1:5

School hours: 8am-3.20pm

Extra help offered: ESL supports classes for Grades 1-10

After school activities: Sports, Model UN, Newspaper Club, World Scholars’ Cup and Debate Clubs etc.

School facilities: Library, outdoor playground, Apple Multimedia Lab, PC Lab, iPads in the Primary school, high school science Labs, shared full-size stadium, dining hall, multiple auditoriums, all classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards.

School nurse: Yes, shared with Tsinghua High School.

Lunch offered: Chinese, Western and vegetarian options.

Contact: Inside Tsinghua High School campus, Zhongguancun Beilu (northwest of Tsinghua University), Haidian District (6279 7000, 6277 1477, this@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn) www.this.edu.cn 海淀区中关村北大街清华大学西北侧清华附中校园内

Word from a Parent:
“The kids could not wait to start school during the first week of arrival. It was good to get assigned into classrooms where we get to meet with the classroom head teachers. It’s obvious that they enjoy working with kids. I appreciate their open communication and willingness to try to accommodate my kids’ needs for challenges. The field trip was an awesome way to start school. The Chinese class provided my kids the needed challenge to be engaged in learning. The teacher assistants took good care of my kids. They let me know that my kids were not eating well through good observations, allowing us to planned packed lunch to keep them from starving. It was good to have the opportunity to talk to the Primary Director and to learn more about the teaching philosophy of the school and the primary classrooms. This allows me to have a full picture and consider all aspects before the final decision. I appreciate that she made time out of her busy schedule to meet with me.”
Value Quraishi (US), mother of Faisal (9) and Yasmeen (7)

For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide e-mail editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com.

Photo courtesy of Tsinghua International School

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Muffy’s Kindergarten 博识梦飞幼儿园

beijingkids — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Muffy’s Parkside Kindergarten blends the best of Chinese and Western educational theory to create a tailor-made learning environment that maximizes each child’s unique abilities and talents. Our students are encouraged to explore, experiment and express themselves through a curriculum based on Multiple Intelligence research, supported by Montessori and Reggio learning practices in a whole day English immersion setting. We aim to increase our student’s passion for education, while building a foundation of competences to prepare them for lifetime of learning in both China and abroad.

Founding date: 2003

School type: International kindergarten

Grades offered: Nursery, pre-school and kindergarten

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

Tuition fees (2014-2015 Academic Year):
Application fee: RMB 800 (non-refundable)
One-year tuition: RMB 99,800
Deposit (includes application fee): RMB 10,000

Lunch and Dinner fee: RMB 6,500 per year

Transportation fee: RMB 8,000 per year, RMB 4,500 half year, RMB 1,200 a month

Age range: 2-6

Number of students: 420

Nationality of students: China (90 percent), US, Canada, Korea, and UK

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: English

Class size: 13-18

Teacher/student ratio: 1:6 (maximum)

School hours: 8.30am-5pm (hours vary depending on school location)

After school activities: Our exciting Global Track after school activities include: academics, sports, art classes, Yoga, Debate, Science and cooking

School facilities: Multipurpose classrooms, indoor gym, library, music room, art room, media room, big outdoor playground facility.

Total area of campuses:
Wunliu – 2,800 sqm building
Wangjing – 3,000 sqm building
Xiangshan – 800 sqm building

School nurse: Yes

Lunch offered: Chinese

Contact: Three campuses: Wanliu, Wangjing, Xiangshan (400 6633 282) www.muffys.cn

Word from a Parent:
“My son has been studying in Muffy’s for almost two years. Apart from the obvious enhancement of his language capability and physical strength, what I have been most grateful for is how his natural instinct has been carefully nurtured and respected. Muffy’s has always focused on multiple intelligence development and its teachers are required to establish a good relationship with kids just like friends. When they are staying together, the teachers are sensitive to each student’s characteristics and potential to which they give timely encouragement and guidance. As a result my son has developed independence, confidence and optimism.”
Luo Ronghui (China), mother of Wilson (4)

Photo courtesy of Muffy’s Kindergarten

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Ivy Bilingual Kindergarten 艾毅双语幼儿园

beijingkids

Ivy Bilingual School offers a curriculum based on the Multiple Intelligences theory and provides an immersive bilingual program, where both Chinese and Western teachers interact with children throughout the day. There are two Bilingual Schools in Beijing.

Founding date: 2006 (Ocean Express campus); 2008 (Orchid Garden campus)

School type: International bilingual preschool and kindergarten

Grade levels: Nursery to kindergarten

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):
Ocean Express Campus: RMB 8,100 per month (full day)
Orchid Garden Campus: RMB 7,750/month (full day)

Lunch fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)

Transportation fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)
Age range: 2-6

Number of students: 175 (Ocean Express campus); 100 (Orchid Garden campus)

Nationality of students: Canadian, Japanese, French, German, American, Chinese

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: Chinese and English

Class size: 20-25

Teacher/student ratio: 1:5-1:8

School hours: 8.30-11.30am (half day); 8.30am-4pm (full day)

After school activities: N/A

School facilities: An outdoor playground, bilingual library, a large indoor playroom, a multiple-purpose room, and a children’s kitchen for cooking classes

School nurse: Yes

Contact: Ocean Express campus: Bldg E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8446 7287/7286/7921, info-OE@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com 朝阳区东三环北路2号远洋新干线E座

Orchid Garden campus: Orchid Garden, Xinjin Lu, Cuigexiang, Chaoyang District. (8439 7080/7087/7665 info-OG@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com 朝阳区崔各乡新锦路18号卓锦万代

Word from a Parent:
“We are very pleased to have chosen Ivy Schools for our son Freddie’s first experience with school. He enjoys meeting his friends and teachers every morning and is always happy to be at school. There has never been a sad look or tear whenever ‘school’ is being mentioned. At the age of 2 he is starting to discover the world around him. Ivy Schools has helped in encouraging Freddie’s curiosity and learning through the wide range of activities it provides.I am always struck by how upbeat and friendly everyone at Ivy Schools is, from the helpers at the gate, to office staff and teachers – even those that are not from Freddie’s class! It means a lot that the staff remembers children’s names and always have a kind word to share with them.”
Jwee San, mother of Freddie (3)

Photo courtesy of Ivy Bilingual School

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Huijia Kindergarten 汇佳幼儿园

beijingkids — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Established in 1999 Huijia Kids has over 40 centers nationwide and is the starting point of the complete 16-year program of the Huijia Educational Organization. Following its stated mission of “New Type, High Taste, and Internationalization,” Huijia Kids aims to achieve the highest national standards for early childhood education via the Primary Years (PYP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Combined with its overall holistic approach, Huijia encourages students to possess international views and become comprehensive life-long learners.

Founding date: 1993

School type: Private kindergarten

Grades offered: Kindergarten

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

What accreditations does the school have? IB, PYP

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 41,500-85,800 per year

Lunch fee: Varies according to campus

Transportation fee: Varies according to campus

Age range: 1.5-6

Number of students: Around 7,000

Nationality of students: US, UK, Singapore, Korea, China

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: Chinese

Languages taught: Chinese and English

Class size: 15-25

Teacher/student ratio: 1:4 to 1:5

School hours: 7.30am or 8am-5pm

After school activities: Weekly activities as well as interest classes, including piano, skating, dancing and painting.

School facilities: Playground, multi-purpose center, library, piano room.

School nurse: Yes

Lunch offered: Chinese and Western food.

Contact:
1) Wanquan campus: 35 Xinxin Jiayuan, Wanquanyuan, Bagou Nanlu, Haidian District (8255 1751) 海淀区巴沟南路35号小区万泉新新家园

2) Sanyuan Qiao campus: 6 Jing’an Dongli, Chaoyang District (6463 5251) 朝阳区静安东里6号

3) CBD campus: 24 Xincheng International Apartment, 6 Chaowai Dajie (6597 9358) 朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际公寓24号楼

4) Changping campus: Huijia Vocational College, 20 Chuangxin Road, Zhongguancun Kejiyuan, Changping District (5163 1603) 昌平区中关村科技园创新路20号汇佳职业学院内

5) Shangdi MOMA campus: MOMA, Anning Zhuang, Haidian District (8275 9510, 8274 1391) 海淀区安宁庄上地MOMA小区

6) Xibahe Campus: 103 Xibahe Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6465 5212) 朝阳区西坝河东里103号

Word from a Parent:
“I am very happy that my son attends Huijia kindergarten. The teachers treat the children well and when I mention the kindergarten, my son gets excited. He likes his teachers and has a lot of good friends at kindergarten. He is happy to stay there, happy to play and happy to eat.”
Joan Bros and Rocio Sobejano (Spain), parents of Juan Bros, K3

Photo courtesy of Huijia Kindergarten

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Ivy Academy 艾毅国际幼儿园

beijingkids — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Ivy Academy offers an English speaking environment. Taught by a team of highly qualified early childhood educators, the Multiple Intelligences theory-influenced curriculum is customized according to the children’s interests.

Founding date: Ivy Academy East Lake Villas Campus – 2004, Ivy Academy Central Park Campus – 2013

School type: International preschool and kindergarten

Grade levels: Nursery to kindergarten

Age range: 2-6

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year)*:
Ivy Academy East Lake Villas Campus: RMB 146,030 per year
Ivy Academy Central Park Campus: RMB 145,500 per year

Lunch fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)

Transportation fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)

Number of students:
Ivy Academy East Lake Villas Campus: 65
Ivy Academy Central Park Campus: 75

Nationality of students: Australian, British, Canadian, Japanese, French, German, American, Chinese

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: English

Languages taught: English

School hours: 8.30-11.30am (half day); 8.30am-3.30pm (full day)

After school activities: Extended after school care by request

School facilities: A library, art classroom, and children’s kitchen

School nurse: Yes

Contact: East Lake Villa Campus: C-101 East Lake Villas, 35 DongzhimenwaiDajie, Dongcheng District. (8451 1380/1, info-EL@ivyschools.com) 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖别墅C座101室
Central Park Campus: Bldg 24, No.6 ChaowaiStreet, Chaoyang District. (5738 4559, 6597 0250, info-CP@ivyschools.com)朝外大街6号新城国际公寓24号楼

Word from a Parent:
“We have always been apprehensive about how our son Ryan would adjust to school here in Beijing … but we were pleasantly surprised by how well he has taken to the staff and his classmates. We have definitely seen much progress in his development, his keenness to explore and learn and his unquenchable thirst and curiosity with all things around him … We have also noticed that Ryan is developing in a more well-rounded way since coming to Beijing. He has always been talkative and super active [and]we are glad that all these traits have not been inhibited and have instead been channeled into something constructive, interesting and educational for him. His constant and daily need to bring a toy and getting ready for his "show and tell" session is a testament of how excited he is about going to school. We are constantly and eagerly looking out for the online weekly journals because we enjoy laughing at the pictures of him in class, carrying out various activities from playing, learning, painting, socializing and oh yes … cooking.”
-Rodney Looi, Malaysian, father of Ryan (5)

Photo courtesy of Ivy Academy

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: BPLC International Bilingual Kindergarten 优而嘉国际双语幼儿园

beijingkids — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Established in 2011, BPLC International Bilingual Kindergarten follows a bilingual Chinese and English curriculum that emphasizes holistic, adaptive and experimental education and instilling respect for other cultures. The teaching staff is comprised of both foreign and Chinese teachers and classrooms contain multi-media teaching facilities, original curriculum materials and a variety of features. BPLC also offers summer and winter camps and pre-primary sessions.

Founding date: September 2011

School type: Bilingual international kindergarten

Grades Offered: Kindergarten for children aged 2-6 and pre-primary

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education？Yes

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year); One-year tuition: RMB 30,800 (if paid annually)；RMB 35,000 (if paid per term)；RMB 40,000 (if paid on a monthly basis）

Application fee: RMB 2,000

Lunch fee: RMB 25 a day

Number of students: 30

Nationality of students: Chinese, Turkish, Sudanese, Azerbaijani

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching languages: English and Chinese

Languages taught: English and Chinese

Other languages taught: Turkish

Class size: max 10 (small classes), max 15 (larger classes)

Teacher/student ratio: 1:4

School hours: 9am-4.30pm

After school activities offered: Gardening, vegetable picking and cooking.

School facilities: 24-hours security monitoring system, mini library, dance practice room, outdoor playground, garden, indoor play area and a multi-functional hall.

Lunch offered: Mainly Chinese food with Western and Halal options.

Total Area of Campus: 1,500 sqm

School nurse available? No

Contact: BPLC International Bilingual Kindergarten, D29 2/F, Tai Hua Bin He Yuan, 41 Nanshiliju, Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (5829 4007/4003, thebrightplace@gmail.com) www.21edubj.com 朝阳区酒仙桥南十里居泰华滨河苑底商二层D29

Photo courtesy of BPLC

2014 School Choice Guide Focus: Beijing BISS International School (BISS) 北京BISS国际学校

beijingkids — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Now in its 20th year Beijing BISS International School is a progressive multi-cultural school, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to all students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. BISS applies a “21st Century Learning” approach to all of its grade levels by integrating “research-based technology” to its curriculum, which includes the Optimal Learning Centre, Mother-Tongue Programme, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. BISS also emphasizes its “unique and extensive extra-curricular and field-education programs” and the strong record of university admissions for its graduates.

Founding date: September 1994

School type: International school

Grades offered: Pre-kindergarten-Grade 12

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

Accreditations: BISS was the first international school to be licensed by the Beijing Education Commission, as well as the first international school in Beijing to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an IB World School offering all three IB programs. BISS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Council of International Schools (CIS), as well as the National Centre for Curriculum and Text Book (NCCT) in China. It is also a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS), the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):RMB 104,100 – 187,000 from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12

Refundable deposit: Elementary School – RMB 18,000 / Secondary School – RMB 23,000

Application fee: RMB 3,800

Age range: 3-18

Number of students: 300

Nationalities of students: Korea, United States, Japan, India, Hong Kong

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? No

Primary teaching language: English

Languages taught: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish

Class size: 20

Teacher/student ratio: 1:7

School hours: 8.15am-3.15pm

After school activities: Mixed sports activities, performing arts, languages, robotics, graphic design and more (visit the website for a complete list).

Special needs programs offered? Yes

Extra-help offered: In-Class / Pull-out ESOL Support

School facilities: Over 30 classrooms; two libraries; music, drama, and art studios; science labs; design technology lab; multimedia classroom; multi-purpose auditorium; cafeteria; medical clinic; running track; multi-purpose courts; rock-climbing wall; playgrounds; regular access to the Olympic Stadium and Hilton Crowne Plaza swimming pools for sports. Campus-wide Wi-Fi coverage.

Total area of campus: 5,000 sqm

School doctor: Yes

Lunch offered: On-site campus carter provides a variety of Oriental and Western-style food with vegetarian options and healthy diet considerations.

Contact: Bldg 17, Area 4, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District (6443 3151, admissions@biss.com.cn)
www.biss.com.cn 朝阳区安贞西里4区17楼

Word from a Parent:
“Our daughter has been going to BISS since 2006 and we have seen her develop both academically and personally in a manner with which we are more than satisfied. It is a school with a human touch where nobody gets lost. BISS impresses most with its very high standard of teaching and an emphasis on developing social skills and responsibility of their students in a warm and caring environment rather than with fancy facilities. Academic and administrative staffs are very committed and always have an open ear for students and parents alike.”
Suzan Brans-Brabant (Netherlands), mother of Arun Brans-Brabant (13) and Manu Chandra Brans-Brabant (7)

Photo courtesy of BISS

What Kind of Students Are Elite American Schools Seeking?

beijingkids

Editor’s Note: The following interview originally appeared in Chinese in jingkids magazine.

Rachael Beare comes to Keystone Academy from The Hotchkiss School, one of the top boarding schools in New England, where she was the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid from 2008-2012. She is now the Dean of Admissions for Keystone Academy.

Beare’s career in admission and financial aid spans more than 20 years and has taken her to many different day and boarding school environments in the United States, including Lakeside School, a leading day school in Seattle, Washington, where she was the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid for 10 years; Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire; Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts; and Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut, her high school alma mater.

Beare is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP) and a graduate of Amherst College with a B.A. in English, magna cum laude. She earned her Ed.M. from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

jingkids spoke with Beare to get her insight into how American universities select and evaluate applicants from China as well as some of the distinct qualities of the students themselves.

jingkids: Based on your many years of experience working in admissions for American schools, what do you think is the biggest difference between Chinese Mainland students and American students? What qualities do you look for in applicants?

The approach to education in China is very different than in the US. Chinese students are used to deferring to their teachers and seldom ask them questions. On the surface, it may appear that Chinese students are less curious that students in the US, but in reality, it just takes a bit more effort from the admissions officer to uncover that curiosity. I am looking for students who have interesting personalities, who have a strong sense of self and cultural identity, and who have well-defined interests that they hope to pursue.

JK: What applications materials were required at the schools that you worked for in the US?

In general, schools will ask for school transcripts, recommendations from two teachers, essay responses, a standardized test and an interview. Some schools will also request an additional recommendation, a piece of graded writing, or parent questionnaire.

JK: How do US schools evaluate applications from Mainland China? Have you encountered any issues when processing applications?

It is fairly common for schools to consider all applications from a particular country as a group to see how they compare to each other, especially if they have several students applying from the same school. The most significant concern amongst schools and colleges in the US is whether the information they are receiving is honestly presented and representative of a student’s work. Many schools have had incidents where documents were falsified or misrepresented.

JK: How do schools handle these cases? Do schools add any new admission procedures to deal with these issues?

In one of the schools where I worked we rescinded a student’s acceptance when it became clear that the academic records where false. In order to prevent these incidences, the school, on occasion, will contact schools directly to confirm that the information we received was accurate.

JK: Do US boarding schools and universities have a quota for international students? If so, does this quota include those Chinese students who are already studying in the US?

While schools do not generally work with quotas for specific groups of students, they may have general goals in mind for diversifying their student population. Most schools like to have a healthy mix of students from as many regions as possible, but not too many from any one region or country. I’ve worked for four US boarding schools. Those schools were dedicated to having talented students from all regions of the US and several countries around the world. They want to enroll students who bring a broad range of talents and experiences because they feel that this diversity enhances the richness of the academic experience of all students.

JK: You’ve seen many Chinese students in US schools. What qualities do these students have that allow them to adjust to new environments?

Many of the students who come to the US from China have an outstanding foundation in math and science and excellent memorization and test preparation skills. It can be a challenge for them, however, to get used to an environment where they are asked to express their own thoughts and ideas about the material they are presented. After they adjust, these students are now capable of establishing relationships with their teachers or being able to pursue their own questions about particular topics. Those students who are curious, outgoing, independent thinkers, and are willing to step outside of their comfort zone from time to time are able to adapt most quickly to this new environment and way of learning.

JK: In the future, do you think that students will start coming to China to obtain a better education? What will China need to do to get there?

While there are elements of the education system in China that are very strong, it is a system that rewards intense study and individual success, over innovation and collaboration. I have friends and colleagues in China who are hopeful that one day China will be able to produce someone like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. In order to get there, I think that the approach to teaching and learning will need to change. I think that when China becomes a place that is contributing to the next wave of innovation in the world, people will want to come here to study and to be a part of that creative process.