Community Voices: Meet the Lim Family!
The Lim family has been part of Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) for the past ten years with their two children, Cleo and Greg. And for most families new to Shanghai, the Lim family struggled with a few obstacles such as the language barrier, adaptability to the environment, and finding a new home.
However, for their son Greg, he had a few more hurdles to jump through as he struggled at his previous school in Singapore, and he had to rediscover himself at SCIS. With a bundle of warm hands from teachers and his peers, Greg instantly felt right at home and felt a boost of confidence. Gradually, he has shined through the arts and has become a social Dragon!
At SCIS, we focus on a holistic approach which aims beyond academics, such as creativity, leadership, and community. And Greg’s inspiring story has paved the path for many of his fellow friends to follow.
Read on as our latest Community Voice feature displays how proud Greg’s mom, Eileen, is of her son and how he has become a Dragon leader!
Tell us about your family.
Our family consists of myself, my husband, and our two children, Cleo and Greg. Greg is currently a grade twelve student at SCIS. We came to China in 2004 because my husband’s job moved from Singapore to Shanghai. Our son, Greg, started kindergarten and joined SCIS in grade three. We have been at SCIS for ten years and have achieved Golden Dragon status!
Was it difficult to adjust to Shanghai?
In 2004 we had culture shock. Singapore had more English speakers, so when we moved here, we had to pick up more Chinese and teach our kids to communicate in Chinese. After the first two years, we adjusted quite well.
What brought you to SCIS?
Greg was in a class of 25-30 people at his old school, and it was not good for him. We knew a smaller class would help and we reached out to SCIS after hearing about it from a friend. Greg saw huge changes once he started at SCIS! His old school used to focus on weaknesses, while SCIS encouraged him to do better which allowed him to overcome his weaknesses.
Do you have a favorite moment?
From grade three to grade eight we had a lot to figure out when it came to the best learning strategies. SCIS asked us to address areas of concern by targeting both strengths and weaknesses. Once our son started the learning academy, he shot up quickly.
One moment that sticks out is when Greg was working on an art piece that he got great comments on. During the art exhibition, we went and saw all the pieces that the students completed. I was disappointed at first because I noticed Greg’s piece was not featured on the wall. Greg was so excited and told me that his art was so good that it was in the glass case as a centerpiece. I was so proud that I cried because I could see he was finally excelling.
Seeing him grow and how proud he was meant the world to me. After grade eight he was always excelling and seldom had weaknesses anymore.
What do you like most about the community at SCIS?
Students are very helpful and very loving here. Greg supports his peers well and each student uplifts one another. Parents have even sent messages thanking us for how Greg has impacted their children. Greg has been able to get to know everyone and feel like an important part of the community. He once was so confident that he introduced himself and welcomed a new principal at SCIS. People even recognize me as Greg’s mom like I am an icon mom.
I am so proud and thankful that SCIS worked closely with us to bring out all these strengths. We have reached a point now that if Greg is sick at home, he is even sad that he can’t go to school!
Is there anything your family enjoys doing together?
We love biking so we cycle from Puxi to Pudong using the ferry. The kids really enjoy it. In earlier years we could pick up movies from the movie carts on the street and watch them together at home. Friendship and community are important to us, and we have friends that will come over so our kids can play.
Do you have any tips you would give to other parents looking for schools?
Find a school that will support your child well. Different schools approach things differently. SCIS has been able to groom certain strengths in Greg. Several weaknesses have become strengths since he has been at SCIS thanks to his supportive peers. He used to have stage fright, but it’s no longer an issue due to encouragement. He is so much more positive because of his school community and my friends have been able to see the changes in his learning.
Thank you, Eileen, for sharing your family and son’s successful journey at SCIS. We look forward to seeing Greg excel outside the walls of SCIS as he adventures into his next chapter of becoming a stronger leader!
SCIS. Self-Directed Learners.
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