“I didn’t choose art because I wasn’t good at academics!” Joy laughs, emphasising the point. Before joining ISA, she had already received offers from seven or eight international schools and international departments of prestigious schools. In ISA Liwan’s admission assessment, she excelled both academically and artistically, earning a substantial scholarship. For her, choosing art was a proactive pursuit of her passion.
Joy’s educational journey has shaped her unique expectations of a learning environment. From a young age, she did not attend a conventional school; instead, she grew up in a small, academy-style setting with only a dozen students per grade, later experiencing online learning and home-based study.
“My parents are traditional Chinese parents, but within their ‘tradition’ lies a rare open-mindedness,” she says. They never confined her choices to “standard answers,” instead encouraging her with, “If you want to do something, do it wholeheartedly.” In this environment, her older brother chose to study architecture, and the family’s understanding and support of their children’s dreams gave Joy the courage to pursue her own design ambitions from the start.
To access richer educational resources and experience life among peers, she decided to return to a school environment for high school. Her previous experiences made her very clear about what she needed: a setting that embraces individuality, respects ideas, and offers diverse artistic resources.
“I didn’t want to be constrained by standardised evaluation systems; I wanted people to see the ideas in my work, not just grades or techniques.”
When choosing a school, she and her family visited seven or eight well-known international schools in Guangzhou. But after speaking with the head of ISA Liwan’s programme, she knew immediately, “This is the place.” The principal and teachers’ understanding of art and respect for each student’s individuality resonated deeply with her.
“They understand what I want to express through art and appreciate my attitude of ‘taking my time and learning earnestly.’ Being understood in this way is rare and invaluable.”
Since starting at ISA, campus life has exceeded her expectations: the beautifully designed lockers she had longed for, her favourite activities such as frisbee and swimming, and teachers willing to support her creative ideas in a nurturing, friendly environment. Art teachers patiently listen to her design concepts and give her ample time to reflect and refine them. English teachers, recognising her proficiency, encourage her that “you can definitely achieve an A+ in English.” This recognition has helped Joy, who occasionally doubted herself in the past, gradually build a steady confidence.
Friendships at school have also brought warmth:
“Everyone genuinely listens to each other, and I quickly found close friends.”
This open, barrier-free environment has helped her, once less socially confident, to gradually open up—and strengthened her conviction that she had truly chosen the right place.
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