German Duo recount their awesome YCIS journey

Anna and Sophia are both German. They are smart, confident and active students. But they share a deeper bond — the teeming metropolis of Shanghai.

Interestingly, both had the distinction of growing up almost entirely in China. When their parents relocated to Shanghai, the two girls were enrolled at Yew Chung International School in Year 1 and Year 2 respectively. It has been a unique experience for them both, imbibing the sights and sounds, watching the city grow as a melting pot of diverse cultures over the years. It has changed their perspectives.

The two are now set to graduate from YCIS. They will move to England to continue their studies and start a new chapter in their lives. Sophia has been admitted to The University of Oxford to read Law with German law. Anna has also chosen Law at Durham University.

As we prepared to chat with them our curiosity climbed. Why did these girls — fluent in Chinese, English, and German — decide to pursue law? How did the China experience shape or change their cultural lens? What kind of changes do they wish to usher in through the practice of law?

"I hope we can cherish the experience we gained in school," said Sophia at graduation, "so that we can create a better future." Anna is keen to give back too. "I want to do something for society," she says. 

We finally got to interview these two remarkable graduates to learn more about their thinking and future plans.

The law is intended to help others

As the video call connects, a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes appears in front of us. She speaks Chinese fluently. Sophia, a graduate of YCIS Shanghai received a pre-offer to study Law with German Law at The University of Oxford in the UK. She has a beautiful Chinese name too, Su Huiya, which suits her demure demeanor.

Having started at YCIS 12 years ago, she is also proficient in Chinese. During her years in Shanghai, she participated in several activities inside and outside school. Over the past year, she served as the president of the student union, organised school assemblies, participated in campus development and administrative work, and designed uniforms for students. She demonstrated leadership qualities in all these areas.

"I am not surprised she got admitted to such an excellent university," says David Potter, Sophia’s IB teacher, who was clearly impressed by her talents. "It is difficult for students to balance their study and life while also working in our Model United Nations at the same time," he told us. "But she did a great job. She has become more confident and well prepared for challenges in the next stage of her life."

Sophia went to The Hague to attend the International Model United

The Model United Nations(MUN)is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its institutions. Here, young students present ideas, debate policies, make resolutions and put these to a vote. It offers foundational knowledge of international relations and diplomacy.

Sophia participating in the Model United Nations in Singapore

"If you ask Sophia what impressed her most during her 12 years of study in Yew Chung International School, she will definitely choose the Model United Nations and Moot Court. For her, the Model United Nations is of decisive significance, which is also related to her choice to study law."

According to Sophia’s father, Wolfgang Röhr (Rui Wufeng), who was a German diplomat and consul general in Shanghai: "The Model United Nations was decisive in her choice to study law… In my opinion the Model United Nations and Moot Court are both very professional. Students are immersed in an environment that is quite similar to the real institutions, they appreciate the experience, and learn a lot from it."

Sophia's story began in an old lane in Xuhui District. Her family experienced first-hand Shanghai’s explosive development and she was part of a new emerging culturally integrated generation raised as global citizens.

Sophia with her parents

At the age of 12, Sophia participated in the Model United Nations and Moot Court organised by the school for the first time. She saw senior students at the table struggle to find legal recourse to help the weak. Gradually the abstract legal terms and concepts crystallised in her mind as tangible and worthy aspirations.

Sophia is an avid reader. Law makes up a big part of her literary diet. What book made the biggest impact? "Eve Was Framed: Women and British Justice" stands out amongst her other choices.

In this book, British lawyer Helena Kennedy examines the various injustices women face under the British legal system. Her list includes biased judges and juries and the deceptive nature of court proceedings. The author points out that these impediments affect many vulnerable groups — those whose cases are subtly influenced by race, class, poverty, or politics, and those that involve popular stereotypes. The book got Sophia thinking about how the law might be rectified to help more people. She has also developed an interest in human rights treaties.

"At the Model United Nations, we always talk about how to get countries to sign human rights treaties, but we rarely think about the implementation of these treaties," she says, thinking aloud as we converse. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sophia chose to intern with the legal and compliance departments of the Draeger Medical Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. This was in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the experience of foreign companies in China.

Sophia is keen to join an international organisation that works in the field of international law. "I hope my future job not only brings me a sense of accomplishment but also enables me to help others in real life," she adds.

She simply believes that her future is up to her to shape. And she can do whatever she wants to do. This 17-year-old is acutely aware of the eyes focused on her. "A so-called ‘dream school’ should be a place that satisfies one’s interests and development. It cannot be just based on rankings."

Sophia's days in YCIS Shanghai

Logic and method help deliver justice

You would probably think Anna is an authentic Chinese if you only listen to her speaking- with a perfect accent that often surprises those around her. 

As an agile thinker, not only is she one of Student Council's backbone, she is also a trusted role model for her younger cohorts.  During this university application season, she received a conditional offer from Durham University Law School in the UK.

Anna was born in Germany but arrived in Shanghai when she was only five months old. "Shanghai is not my second hometown," she says firmly, "It is my hometown."

"This city is a melting pot of cultures. It has encouraged me to explore the unknown." She has a unique understanding of China and its varied peoples.

Steeped in a multicultural environment, Anna is naturally sensitive towards and tolerant of anything new, from food on the table to lifestyles. Unlike her fellow German students who grew up in Europe, she can freely switch between Eastern and Western modes of thinking. This will prove to be a huge advantage for this gifted girl.

"I gradually found the right balance," she says. "When two ideas contradict each other, I learn to clear my mind. I will see things from God’s perspective. I will remove the prejudice and find the most rational path. My mother used to say that I was like a diplomat." It was perhaps natural that she would gravitate towards law, a profession symbolised by balancing scales.

"Compared to my friends in Germany, I’m less direct and more concerned about other people’s feelings," says Anna. For her, sensitivity and thoughtfulness are watchwords that will hold her in good stead.

Last year, Anna shared her understanding of 'trust' in Chinese and Western cultures at a TEDx event

"I always try to communicate with others in a way that makes them feel respected so that they won’t get nervous." Some of this thinking had already rubbed off on Anna as a result of her association with the Model United Nations, where she discovered her true passion. For her, the law is a pillar of social order. It writes human history and creates the future.

The multifaceted and complex nature of jurisprudence holds a particular fascination for this scholar's bright mind. Attending a lecture series, "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" — at Harvard Law School by Michael Sandel — led Anna to embark on personal journey through the arcane world of jurisprudence and the relationship between fairness and justice.

At the age of just 14, she served as a judge in the Moot Court to examine the "Erdermovic Case". 

This was an extremely weighty project for a young teenager. But she approached the task with her usual spirit of inquiry, fairness, an open mind and relentless pursuit of the facts. (Erdermovic was a Bosnian Serb Army member who later pleaded guilty to crimes against humanity.) This tough 'wringer' experience gave her a valuable first-hand look at the workings of justice..

Sophia and Anna went to The Hague to attend the International Model United Nations Conference together with their schoolmates from YCIS Shanghai

Sophia and Anna at the THIMUN The Hague conference in 2020, where they both became the first ever YCIS students at the conference to be appointed as the prestigious role of chairs

Anna vividly remembers the moment she was "chosen" and beckoned by law.

"That was when I used the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to explore what ‘duress’ really was. I enjoyed every part of the process. I was logical and methodical. I enjoyed things being broken down, sorted out, and stated in detail."

The moment she read the verdict, it struck her. "This is it!" she recalled. "This is what I want to do."

Anna serving as Judge to the mock International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Singapore in 2019

Did she get nervous when leading older and more experienced participants? Anna says that thanks to her experience at MUN and the student union she has a sober and solid understanding of what leadership entails.

She offers one profound insight. "I think one of the biggest misconceptions about leadership is that a leader is the one who stands at the front. In my opinion, a leader is the one who stands at the back and supports everyone as they move forward."

"Leaders are not supposed to do everything for everyone," she insists, "because that will deprive others of the opportunity to grow and have their own experiences." It is a remarkable and insightful observation for a young mind but it is entirely in character for Anna.

Apart from being a good listener, Anna is also candid about sharing things that are funny or weird. Her classroom is always full of laughter. Mrs Priya Willams, Year level lead for Year 12 and 13, sees how she continues to explore her potential and ultimately finds her inner drive. "She will confide in you about her difficulties and what makes her restless.  This is not easy and she is open to all feedback. Her tolerance and resilience are the building blocks of her excellence." Priya says.

David Potter, who was also Anna's IB teacher, uses a popular phrase to describe the friendship between Anna and Sophia: "Iron sharpens Iron". Competition has made both smarter, he feels. Priya agrees: "There is a friendly and healthy rivalry between Anna and Sophia. They inspire and support each other."

Sophia and Anna training younger students at the Model United Nations Conference

Four years ago at the annual YCIS drama performance, Anna played the character of Alice in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This phantasmagorical novel was published in 1865. It narrates the story of a little girl named Alice, who accidentally falls into a rabbit hole of fantasy and adventure.

Alice never stopped exploring although at times she felt scared and wanted to give up. But she always overcame her fear. Looking back, Anna said, "I rehearsed every day as the show approached. Alice took over my whole body and mind. Although the show is over, part of the character just stays with me and has grown up with me."

Anna acting on stage, playing the lead role in the YCIS school production "Helen on 86th street"

Anna is now on the cusp of another fantastic adventure — the exploration of various hidden facets of law. "My dream job is to be a corporate lawyer. It would provide me with a decent income and at the same time satisfy my interest. But I also want to help others and do something for society as a human rights lawyer." Human rights is an enduring theme with this impassioned student.

As our interview concludes, the two girls share with us the books they are currently reading — A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, and Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by psychologist Angela Duckworth. Fresh adventures are certainly beckoning.

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