Thinking Outside the Box When Faced with Difficulties
Among these graduates, not all of them were "extraordinary" students. When discussing with some scholars, they assessed themselves as not being at the top academically and had encountered setbacks on their academic journeys to varying degrees. However, through an internationalized path of further education, they developed their personalities, regained confidence, and successfully moved closer to their dreams.
Firstly, in terms of acceptance rates, the internationalized path of further education offers less intense competition due to the wide range of universities available for selection.
Secondly, here they broke the superstition surrounding "talented students," as scores are no longer the sole criteria for evaluation. Through each presentation, group discussion, and assignment, they gradually discovered their academic interests and development paths. In addition to academics, they were able to join clubs they liked and work hard with like-minded friends for the sake of their passions. They mustered the courage to participate in various competitions and debates, using these experiences as practice to get to know their better selves. They experienced a different style of learning, felt "seen," and realized the self-discipline that comes with freedom.
Jorden's initial goal was merely "to complete high school steadily." Before joining HC, he didn't focus on his grades, spending most of his time playing video games once he returned to the dormitory.
After joining HC, he noticed that his classmates and roommates were still diligently completing assignments and discussing projects after school, while he, with his gaming habits, felt somewhat out of place. The change in environment led to a change in awareness, which in turn spurred action. Jorden became more willing to invest energy in studying. He was eventually admitted to the Pennsylvania State University, ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide, surpassing many "academic elites" of the same age.
This growth trajectory seems to resonate with the experiences of the first group of HC. After getting through the initial adjustment period of entering a new school, they all found their preferred directions and learning goals, putting in efforts and continuously improving themselves.
When everyone's goals are solely focused on grades and training is result-oriented, it can overshadow an individual's brilliance. However, in our campus, students are not required to follow standardized processes. The personalized, layered educational system values the unique qualities and potential of each scholar. By expanding their horizons and providing more opportunities for choice, we allow the majority of students who may not be seen through the lens of "score competition" to have new possibilities.
Single Exam vs. Multiple Evaluations
Having more opportunities does not mean that applying to foreign universities is an "easy ride."
Hanna shared with us that her peers and relatives within the Chinese education system perceive international school students as "playing all day," but this completely misunderstands the essence of an internationalized educational path.
The talent selection process of foreign universities differs from the Chinese system. The National College Entrance Examination ("gaokao") is a make-or-break battle, where students are under pressure to achieve the highest scores possible. This pressure accumulates until the exam is over. On the other hand, the application process for foreign universities is a long-term, segmented process, with different schools having different requirements and more flexible evaluations.
"We have a considerable amount of coursework every semester, and we need to improve our language skills on weekends and holidays. However, applying early allows us to front-load the preparation work, which helps to spread out the pressure into different stages. As long as we allocate our time properly and plan reasonably, we won't be overly anxious."
Students can improve their GPA through their efforts each semester. They can proactively research potential universities and majors, prepare personal statements, portfolios, and engage in extracurricular activities.
Ken, through more than a year of relentless effort, raised his GPA from below 3 to 3.7. The rational allocation of resources and a healthy competitive atmosphere allowed him to improve both academically and in extracurricular activities. With the assistance of teachers, he resolved previously unrecognized issues and gained stronger confidence. In the end, he received favorable admission from Syracuse University through Early Decision, allowing him to study his beloved major in sports management.
On the other hand, unlike the domestic system where majors are selected based on exam scores, the application process for foreign universities is tied to specific majors from the beginning. Students taking the internationalized path have an early awareness of their future direction. Their motivation doesn't wane after receiving exam scores.
After receiving a fashion design offer, Hanna has many expectations for university life. She hopes to engage in self-media, showcasing her experiences abroad to a wider audience. She also desires to participate in more internships.
"University is just the beginning, not the end. After entering this university, I will assess my adaptability and pursue the challenges I desire, striving for better opportunities."
In 10th grade biology class, Lisa discovered her interest in biology and plans to pursue it. She discussed various biology-related majors with college counselors and found her passion. In the future, depending on her adaptation to university, she will consider transferring to a better school if she has the ability. She also hopes to continue with graduate and doctoral studies, furthering her academic research.
The filling out of college entrance examination preferences is often constrained by many objective factors, and many students choose majors not out of passion but out of helplessness. After four years of university life, they still feel lost when it comes to employment.
The maturity and foresight shown by HC's scholars in considering their future directions surpass many of their peers who are still exploring. Our diverse AP courses, which balance the arts and sciences, cover a wide range of subjects. Elective courses such as arts, sports, second languages, interdisciplinary projects, as well as diverse Life Blocks, create a learning environment where scholars can explore different fields and discover themselves. As a result, it stimulates their individuality and allows them to gain more inspiration for choosing a major from their course experiences.
Self-Discovery and
Self-Presentation
