Keystone Magazine Keystone Magazine 5th EN | Page 27

behind, I would suddenly feel such a great chatting and laughing with the group, and
sense of accomplishment.
making jokes about changing our grades. I
feel somewhat apologetic whenever my test
The university where we normally train for results aren’t that good.
cross-country has also made a long-lasting
impression on me. University of California During my time as an exchange student, I am
San Diego (UCSD) has one of the best learning a lot, making new friends, and taking
biology and computer science programs in part in many extra-curricular activities. But
the world, and I learn something new about for me, the personal growth far outweighs
the school every time I go to its campus these gains. The experience has changed
for training. I was pleasantly surprised that my perspective, helped me develop a new
LJCDS not only takes us around the campus, understanding about other cultures, and
but also arranges for us to meet face-to-face sharpened my outlook toward the future.
with the geeks from the computer science LJCDS has been teaching students for over a
department during a project for our design hundred years and we can learn much from it,
class. As our school is only a 5-minute both inside and outside the classroom.
walk away, our design teacher gives us the
opportunity to speak to, and to work with Probably owing to my experience on the
the researchers at the university, who are Student Council, I came to understand that,
attempting to bring online resources to due to cultural differences, what I admire
people not yet connected to the web. I gather here in the US may not be right for Keystone
from this experience that before achieving in Beijing. It takes the efforts of everyone at
success or transforming the world in some Keystone to find the “Keystone Way.” Just as
way, I would first need to learn more – much Franklin Roosevelt said, “Take a method and
more in fact. I also took part in one Model try it. And if it fails, admit it frankly and try
UN session organized by UCSD, where, another. But above all, try something.” It is
donning the role of Mark Zuckerberg, I after I arrived at LJCDS that I realized what it
discussed the effects of Brexit on trade
between Europe and the United States. In
addition to enjoying that feeling of being in
supreme command in this and subsequent
debates, I gained exposure to the intricacies
of international affairs as well as improved my
communication and persuasive skills.
truly meant when people say “you don’t know
what you have until it’s gone.” The positives
of Keystone, and the “home away from
home” feeling it provides, cannot be summed
up in this brief letter. But as with anything,
there is always room for improvement and,
as Roosevelt says, we always need to try new
things and make the most out of every day.
I am grateful to all those who support me
in the US and at Keystone. There are not
enough words to express how much it means
to me.
Keystone Academy promotes grade 10 student
exchanges as part of the Keystone learning
experience and has sent as well as welcomed a
number of exchange students through various
channels, such as LJDS, Round Square, and
independent and network exchanges.
Another thing I like about LJCDS is the
freedom in its course selection system, a plus
made all the more salient by the difference
between the AP program here and the IB
program at Keystone. When the semester
began, I quickly realized that much of what’s
being taught in class was already covered by
my previous courses. Actually, I was getting
a bit worried that this half year in the US
would be wasted. But my teachers were
exceedingly helpful and patient in adjusting
my courses (this happened multiple times in
fact), bringing me up to speed with the class,
and finding courses that suited my level and
interest.
The relationship between the faculty and
the students is also something I admire. For
example, my cross-country coach is also my
algebra teacher; so as the meme goes, my
math is really taught by my PE teacher. He
might look really stern in class, but as soon
as the bell rings, he becomes almost like
one of “us” – listening to the same music,
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