Choose Dulwich and Make your Dreams Come True!

At the beginning of the new semester, the campus of Dulwich International High School Suzhou welcomed energetic returning students and new students. With confident smiles and curious expectant eyes, they are looking forward to campus life in the new semester. This year, we have welcomed a group of new students with excellent grades and different backgrounds. Some of them have achieved excellent results in the high school entrance exam in Suzhou; some have returned from prestigious schools overseas; some are from Shanghai and have strong English skills. They came to Dulwich because they believed that they could realize their dreams here and get accepted into their dream schools. One week after the start of school, we interviewed several new students, and they shared their true feelings:

Anika L

 1  Why did you choose Dulwich?

Because Dulwich has nearly 90 per cent of ex-pat teachers, which is very different from other international schools. Also, most teachers at Dulwich are very experienced. It provides me with a whole English study environment which will help me greatly in the future.

 2  What’s your background? Hometown? From public school or international school?

I am from Shanghai and was in a public middle school there.

 3  How is Dulwich different from your previous schools?

The difference is that it is an international school, and it focused more on teamwork than individual grades, it provides more opportunities to students to expand their high school lives.

 4  How are you feeling after one week in school?

I found out a lot of people have studied at international schools or have been overseas which makes me want to work harder. It’s also unfamiliar to me to run from classes to classes.

 5  Which classes are you enjoying right now? How do you feel about homework?

I enjoy most of my classes! it is a whole new experience to me. Even though homework is less than what I used to have, it provides more opportunities to work with other students.

 6  Which CCA’s are you interested to join?

Psychology and debate.

 7  How do you like to spend your free time?

I watch American TV and read English books which I borrowed from our school library in order to help expand my vocabulary.

 8  If I asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?

They probably would say that I talk a lot, but I work hard.

 9  What have you read recently?

“Becoming- Michelle Obama” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

 10   What has been your biggest challenge?

My vocabulary is not as good as some of the students in my classes, so it is difficult at times for me to understand what the teacher is talking about!

 11  How are you overcoming/How did you overcome challenges? Any help from Dulwich teachers/classmates?

Many students and teachers are kind and patient, they answer my questions nicely.

 12  Are you a boarder? What do you think of school boarding life?

Yes, I am. Having good roommates is very important. The schedule for boarding students is very good.

Genevieve W.

 1  What’s your background? Hometown? From public school or international school?

I came from a public school in Suzhou Industrial Park.

 2  How is Dulwich different from your previous schools?

Answer 2: Dulwich is quite different from my previous school in many ways, teachers interact more with the students and encourage us to ask why and think deeper. Teachers don’t feed us the knowledge, whether or how to study is your choice, which is one of the reasons I chose Dulwich. 

 3  What have you read recently?

I found the school library has a great collection of books, and I finished George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” a few days ago. Currently, I am re-reading Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”.

 4  How are you overcoming/How did you overcome challenges? Any help from Dulwich teachers/classmates?

Of course there are challenges when first entering Dulwich. Like we don’t have a fixed classroom, so we have to manage our time very efficiently to run from one classroom to another. But these I think are the smallest challenges, and I overcame them in a couple of days. The biggest challenge is the change of study environment, and that’s why self-management is vital in surviving high school. How to manage your time? How to use your spare time? I am trying to keep myself in a highly focused state most of the day. But I like these challenges, I like to challenge and push myself, to see how far I can go! The Dulwich teachers are most helpful, they are willing to give you advice and answer your questions. My IG1 classmates are also very friendly and helpful, too.

Tom C.

 1  Why did you choose Dulwich?

I chose Dulwich because I am looking forward to going to an English college by doing the A-level course. Dulwich is the best choice for me both academically and environmentally.

 2  How is Dulwich different from your previous schools?

Compared to my previous school, Dulwich gives me more freedom which helps me to become a more independent person. Also, the teachers are closer to you and provide more help than in my previous school. 

Vivian C.

 1  Why did you choose Dulwich?

There were some reasons for me to choose Dulwich. Firstly, I have a strong will to go abroad. Secondly, some of my friends chose Dulwich and all of them are high achievers. Thirdly, all my friends said that they had an unforgettable school life in Dulwich.

 2  What’s your background? Hometown? From public school or international school?

I am from Taiwan Taipei, and I studied in a public school in SIP, both primary and junior high school.

 3  Which CCA’s are you interested to join?

I am interested in some academics CCAs, such as the Dulwich Business League, Dulwich Debaters and World Scholar's Cup. And I am also interested in some student-led CCAs like Kendo, MAD, and DHCrew. However, I don’t have so much time so it's difficult for me to make a decision.

 4  How do you like to spend your free time?

During my spare time, I prefer to do handcrafts that I find relaxing.  I also like listening to music and reading novels.

Sienna B. 

 1  What’s your background? Hometown? From public school or international school?

I am a year 12 pupil from Shanghai, China. During year 10-11 I finished my GCSEs in the UK and before that, I studied in a local school in Shanghai. 

 2  Any CCA you are interested to join?

 I have signed up for Global Citizenship, DMP and the Extended Project. I was also interested in COIL originally, but I had to give it up because it clashed with Global Citizenship which is quite a shame. 

 3  What have you read recently?

Answer 3: I have borrowed two books from the library. I very much enjoy the reading time each week during tutor period and I read every night before bed. I am now halfway through ‘Appointment With Death’ by Agatha Christie, and I am looking forward to starting the next one.

 4  Are you a boarder? What do you think of school boarding life?

I am a boarder in Bancroft and I have a very lovely tutor and house parent who have helped me a lot over the past two weeks. I enjoy living with my roommates to a huge extent and I like the fact that we don’t need to change dorms very often. However, it is a shame that we don’t get to spend much time in our rooms.