Where Dulwich Students Go, and Who They Become

When students leave school, what stays with them? A solid academic foundation, but also qualities that are harder to measure but equally important: the courage to face challenges on their own, the drive to follow what they love, the confidence to meet change as it comes.

At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, education extends beyond academic achievement. We aim to nurture lifelong learners who can adapt, embrace change and look at the world with a global perspective.

Here, we speak with three alumni who have already begun university, each of them now writing the next chapter of their story. Audrey graduated in 2024, with Jenny and Amy following in 2025. Their university journeys may only just have begun, but each already reflects how a Dulwich education continues long after graduation.

As you reflect on your DHSZ journey, what do you think has had the greatest lasting impact?

Before joining DHSZ, Audrey measured success through rankings and comparison. "Before I came to Dulwich, I was used to checking class rankings after every exam and constantly comparing myself with other students."

Encouraged by her teachers to focus instead on her own development, she gradually adopted a different mindset: one centred on personal growth rather than competition. Today, she credits that shift with helping her thrive at university.

"I think this mindset has helped me tremendously at university. It has allowed me to invest more of my energy into self-improvement and personal growth. In real university life, you need to be self-motivated and have good self-learning abilities to achieve strong academic results."

For Amy, what mattered most was how closely Dulwich's learning environment and teaching approach align with overseas universities. "In real university life, you need to be self-motivated and have good self-learning abilities to achieve strong academic results."

Those habits developed at DHSZ, allowed her to settle quickly into university life.

The all-English environment at Dulwich, together with its encouragement of independent learning, allowed her to adjust quickly to university and meet new challenges with confidence.

For Jenny, four years of boarding life left the deepest mark. "I boarded throughout all four years at DHSZ, and the experience taught me how to live independently."

It was during those boarding years that she learned to manage her own time, look after herself and live alongside others. Routines that felt ordinary at the time became a real source of strength once she was living on her own in the UK.

 

Is there someone from your DHSZ journey whom you would particularly like to thank?

Growth rarely happens alone. There is often someone who steps in at the right moment, offering support and helping to point the way forward.

For Amy, it was the two Psychology teachers who once taught her. They were the ones who introduced her to a subject that would eventually shape both her university studies and future career aspirations.

For Audrey, it was her Economics teacher. "I've always been someone who takes a little longer to grasp new concepts."

He always made time for her, during office hours and often after school, talking her through each point patiently until her confidence grew.

Outside the classroom, he encouraged her to take part in activities such as Model United Nations and volleyball competitions. "No matter what we choose to do, we should never let the fear of failure stop us before we even begin. Instead, we should have the courage to step outside our comfort zones and challenge ourselves."

Those words continues to guide her today.

Stories like Audrey's reflect the close relationships between teachers and students at DHSZ: relationships built not only on academic support, but also on encouragement, trust and genuine care for each student's growth.

 

What advice would you give to current students as they navigate their own journeys?

The three alumni each had something to share with students preparing to study abroad.

Amy's advice was that preparing for university means developing the confidence to communicate naturally in English, not simply preparing for language tests. She added that it is just as important to build up the everyday expressions and communication skills that real life calls for.

"I believe preparing in advance is a great opportunity to adapt to a fully English-speaking environment, and I hope that the new cohort of students will be able to fully adjust to studying abroad."

Jenny suggested learning about the city where they will study before arriving, including practical details such as the local weather and where to find banks and hospitals.

She also had one particular reminder: keep a close eye on your email throughout the application process.

On the academic side, Audrey shared two pieces of advice. The first is to make your own study notes. For her, the act of writing and organising notes is itself a process of understanding and absorbing the material. The second is to practise and review regularly.

"If you've written something down in your own words, it usually means you've genuinely understood it. When I was at DHSZ, our teachers would regularly upload updated MCQ banks on Teams based on the topics covered that week."

Keeping up with them, as she put it, by 'completing those questions promptly, reviewing mistakes and actively seeking clarification from teachers' was far more effective than 'leaving everything until the week before exams and trying to cram at the last minute.'

 

Setting Out From Here, Into a Wider World

The three alumni have very different stories, yet together they reflect the core qualities a Dulwich education nurtures: independence, confidence, curiosity and a love of lifelong learning. And there are many more still to be written.

Graduation is not the end of the Dulwich journey. Beyond personal growth, our alumni gain lifelong access to the extensive Worldwise Alumni Network(WAN). This worldwide community connects Dulwich graduates globally, providing ongoing peer exchange, academic materials, career guidance and lasting networking support. We look forward to seeing more Dulwich students set off from here to craft their journeys on the global stage.