What’s It Really Like Being a New Kid at An International School

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Transitions are always challenging; it is a jump that everyone must make at least once in their lifetime. Sometimes, these transitions are no less than a rollercoaster ride of experiences, full of ups and downs.

Let me present an analogy of a scientific process called “metamorphosis of a butterfly,” transforming from a cocoon to a butterfly. Aren’t we all like a butterfly locked inside the cocoon, and without the transition into the next phase, it’s impossible to spread our wings?

My experience of moving to an international school for the first time in my life was also no less than a process of metamorphosis, and I can attest to this because for the past year, after setting my foot in international school, I have been coping with a lot of transitions.

It can be overwhelming for a person to leave behind their own country, friends, school, and most importantly, adjust to a brand new life.

I spent most of my life in India and suddenly learned that it was time to pack my bags for a new journey to China. I was excited, anxious, and, most importantly, curious about what my life would look like after I left my old school and moved to a new school. But this was a critical transition because it challenged me socially, emotionally, and mentally.

Socially

Making friends and fitting in socially can be a daunting experience, especially when it is your first time at an international school and you don’t know anyone. Throughout my life, I was surrounded by people from the same background, who spoke the same language, shared the same ethnicity, and had the same culture. Now I needed to start from scratch but keep in mind, eventually, you will find some great friends who might be in the same boat as you!

Mentally and Emotionally

Experiences like these can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Sometimes it feels like you’re stuck between strangers and are the odd one out. You will feel insecure about yourself. When I moved to my new school, I realized that the whole curriculum differed from what I was used to. It was a huge academic shock for me. I was no longer the top student in my class. I struggled because until grade 10, I studied in India, and now, for the last two most important years of high school, I had to start all over again. I am one year into this new system and I still often struggle to excel. It’s important to accept that life cannot always be the same; you may not always be on the top. These are the transitions; these are the leaps of faith that you have to take as part of the process.

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For Dino Liu, a grade 10 student at JPED Academy, the transition to a new international school is hard in many ways.

Incoming students are constantly being pressured under the students’ social system. Orientation will be hard to get over especially if you’re exposed to the new environment.

Following orientation, new obstacles will continue to emerge. Repressed under a social status pyramid, transitioning students  can find it very difficult to adapt to the new environment.

Almost every school has a social hierarchy with a single group of popular kids, sometimes deterring the rest of the student body. Being in a school with a clear social hierarchy can be very stressful to begin with, and especially harsh if you are a new student, which places you at the bottom by default.

Some people would advise you to seek help from teachers. Teachers can be a good source of support, but at the end of the story, they are not students themselves and don’t tend to know what’s really going on. In other words, not every teacher can view the issue from your perspective and may not empathize with your hardship.

When I arrived at my new school, I talked with my teacher after observing how some incoming students were being excluded and bullied by the “queen bee group” (the popular kids). He insisted that our school had no social system and everyone is equal. From then on, I realized that I am on my own in a completely new environment, and even teachers might fail to understand the newcomers’ hardships.

The orientation I went through didn’t work out for me. Social/group activities happened on an almost hourly basis, and our group members changed for each activity. I ended up not getting to know anyone because people came and went at a quick pace. Orientation week is just as important and stressful as finals week, but remember that you should give yourself time to adapt to the new circumstances gradually and not pressure yourself to immediately fit in.

Although the transition to a new international school can be stressful, there are ways to cope.

Your parents will always be there to support you if you are not comfortable enough to communicate with new friends and teachers.

During orientation, it’s great to have fun, make friends, and actively participate, but being quiet and shy is also okay. Don’t pressure yourself to be the star of the show. Time itself will ease all the tensions.

Do something that you are passionate about to keep yourself occupied. Make friends by joining a club and work your way from there.

Images: Courtesy of the students

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