This year, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, and for high school seniors, these students experienced a senior year unlike any we’ve ever seen before. But life goes on, and despite the chaos COVID-19 has caused, students at international schools all over Beijing are graduating in good spirits and high hopes for the future. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Meet Caitlin Y, a Chinese-Australian graduate from Harrow International School Beijing (HBJ)‘s class of 2020.

Next year I’ll either be attending Cambridge or LSE majoring in History + Politics/International Relations.

My favorite memories from HBJ are school trips. When I first joined Harrow in Year 7 we went on a drama trip to Los Angeles, then later we did various other trips including the International Award trip in Year 9. They allowed me to see my classmates in a different light and everyone was supportive of and friendly to each other during those trips. They have been both educational and fun, I would say that educational workshops during a trip are by far my favorite method of learning!

My school has helped shape me in many ways. I became more aware of my status as a global citizen and I tend to look at issues and current affairs with a global perspective. Moreover, I have developed the habit of stepping out of my comfort zones and maintaining an everlasting curiosity to learn about anything – I am learning Chinese sign language and python coding language now which I would never have imagined learning before I came to Harrow.

I’ve learned practical studying strategies that’ll help in college such as referencing, academic writing, and identifying helpful resources. However, it is the skill to communicate and set targets with my teachers that I feel will most help me thrive in a university environment where I have to proactively communicate with my lecturers and professors.

I don’t have a favorite teacher. Everyone had been extremely helpful during my times at Harrow, shout out to all my subject teachers!

If I could go back and change one thing about my high school experience perhaps I would want to spend more time focusing on my interests alongside my academic pursuits – such as developing my interests in the performing arts – music and drama – more thoroughly alongside doing the humanities as my A-Level subjects.

I think a balance between academic success and strong friendships is important. The ideal situation would be meeting friends who would want to improve with you on an academic journey towards your goals. I value the sense of accomplishment you get from academic success but would also wish for like-minded friends whom I can constantly strive to be better with!

As a final message, I’d like to say that it has been an incredible journey with you all, I wish everyone the best of luck with your future endeavors. I would not be who I am today without you and I cannot say how truly grateful I am for all your help, support, and kindness. It has been such an unusual year and although I am disappointed with this hasty goodbye, I feel grateful to have shared this experience with all of you.

KEEP READING: Families From Different Cultures Dish on Parenting

Photos: Caitlin Y., Unsplash

This year, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, and for high school seniors, these students experienced a senior year unlike any we’ve ever seen before. But life goes on and despite the chaos, COVID-19 has caused, students at international schools all over Beijing are graduating in good spirits and high hopes for the future. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Meet Cailin S. a recent graduate from Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).

Cailin S

I’ll be going to Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School majoring in Film/Screen Studies/Media Studies.

The New School

My favorite memory from my time at WAB was the freedom that I felt from being myself with my friends. I can’t pick one specific moment because all of them have a well-deserved place in my heart. Since there is no such thing as a satisfying goodbye now, all we can do is savor and appreciate all that has happened and what and who made us who we are today.

WAB helped make me who I am today by giving me the opportunity to delve into new things and finding my passions. Things that make me, me. I have always struggled with identity as an international student. WAB has allowed me to delve into depths where I finally understand the idea of being individually unique and creating my own pathway to my dreams and goals.

My favorite teacher at WAB was Ms. EJ. She has shown me what it is like to be passionate. She has taught me that there is not only one way of doing things or getting to a goal. If you are passionate, driven, and are genuine in everything that you do, you will succeed in more ways than you could ever imagine.

If I could change one thing about high school experiences, I would be able to warp time and learn how to appreciate every little thing and moments that I have with people. I would change my perception of time.

Academic success and building strong friendships are both important. There is no such thing as happiness in one or the other, the importance of both will help you understand your own personality and priorities. It depends on what kind of person you are, what your strengths are; being self-aware is one of the best skills that you will ever learn and be of help to you in the future.

My fellow students. My message to you is to love, always. To be passionate about the people, the subjects and family that surround you. Prioritize things that make you genuinely happy and stick with your instincts in whatever you do. You will know what is best for you, trust yourself, you will go far.

KEEP READING: “When I First Joined the Community, I Was Very Introverted”

Photos: Cailin S., The New School