Here we asked international high school students about what extracurricular activities have been memorable at their respective schools. Beyond helping make a well-rounded student, extracurriculars provide all sorts of fun and opportunities for these young students to explore other areas of interest. Here’s what they had to say about their individual experiences. 

Caio Motta: The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi

What are some of your most memorable academic endeavors, extracurricular activities, or school trips you have taken part in over the past four years?
The most memorable trip was the one in Year 12 where the teachers and Year 12 students went to Tanzania which also incorporated my IB CAS project work, charitable work, and a safari. This was a life-changing experience that myself and my colleagues will remember forever.

How have these activities provided by your school helped shape you as a person?
Completing the Tanzanian project taught me various skills such as how to build and use tools, how to talk to the locals and make myself understood, how to appreciate the wildlife and what is being done to conserve it in Africa.

Beyond academics, has your school been helpful in providing electives and extracurricular activities that cultivate your interests?
We have chances to take part in many IB CAS activities working at migrant schools; there is also a variety of sports programs that are held after school since we are part of ACAMIS.

Chelsea Lee: Yew Chung International School of Beijing

What are some of your most memorable academic endeavors, extracurricular activities, or school trips you have taken part in over the past four years?
Some of the extracurricular activities that were really meaningful to this change are football, Dew Drops Charity, and Roots & Shoots where I was able to learn and mature in aspects such as cooperation, leadership, and responsibility.

How have these activities provided by your school helped shape you as a person?
Through the welcoming environment provided by our school, and through working with innovative and enthusiastic teammates that were passionate about the club, I became more confident in attempting new things.

Beyond academics, has your school been helpful in providing electives and extracurricular activities that cultivate your interests?
Through our CAS fair, I was able to establish the Roots and Shoots Club and the Dew Drops Charity, developing them into fun and meaningful clubs that thrive both within and outside the school.

Simon Floris: Western Academy of Beijing

What are some of your most memorable academic endeavors, extracurricular activities, or school trips you have taken part in over the past four years?
My favorite thing to do at WAB is by far singing in a choir. I’m in two different school choirs, HS (High School) and the APAC (Asian Pacific Activities Conference) Choir. The former is mandatory for the latter, where we perform all over Asia. It’s challenging, but oh so worth it.

How have these activities provided by your school helped shape you as a person?
I think APAC Choir has taught me to improve my ability to feel more comfortable: in front of an audience, yes, but also next to singers I have just met, with homestay families whose house I’m invading, and even with conductors who have their own Wikipedia page.

Beyond academics, has your school been helpful in providing electives and extracurricular activities that cultivate your interests?
I absolutely love movies, and I’m lucky enough to go to one of the few schools in Beijing that take film seriously. Not only is there a course, but there’s the Identity Film Festival (for which I have been head of submissions), and many other opportunities to develop my skills.

Photos: Courtesy of BSB Shunyi, YCIS Beijing, WAB

This article originally appeared on p96
of beijingkids School Choice Guide 2018-2019.

This year Dulwich College Beijing is hosting the fifth annual International Schools Choral Music Society (ISCMS). This 4-day event from February 15 to 19 includes a gala concert displaying the musical talents of students, faculty, and a special guest – Welsh music composer Karl Jenkins. To learn more about this event, read our blog here.

If you want to see Karl Jenkins in action, enter to win VIP tickets for you and your family to attend the gala concert on February 18 at the Forbidden City Music Hall. VIP tickets include entry into the VIP area within the Forbidden City Concert Hall – as well as complimentary drinks and canape, which begin at 6.30pm

To win tickets, please post your answers below to the question:

What is your favorite instrument and why?

The most creative answer, chosen by the editor, wins.

Contest ends on Monday at 10am.

Photo by London Lime of Flickr.