Studying abroad seen through eyes of a teenager

By Andrea Aguirre

Most perspectives are given by adults, expressed in such a way that makes them interesting only to adults. The following article is a first-hand account of what an international school is really like, from a student's perspective.

"You learn something new every day."

This is an understatement in a community of school assemblies, art workshops, science experiments and international guest speakers, glazed with hot-cross buns, vegetable samosas and Anzac biscuits, where people of all ages from all walks of life come together.

This is the community of an international school.

Typical school days usually start at 8:00 am. The early Big Bird bus trip through the streets of Jakarta on the way to school is an experience in itself -- singing, rhyming, Discmans and Winnie the Pooh and Pokemon collectibles accompany the kids who get on these buses.

Sometimes, you can't help but wonder, "Is this the place to be seen for these youngsters?"

Multinational

Walking through the hallways, it is impossible to miss the true diversity present on a daily basis at an international school.

Korean, Indian, Scottish, Australian, Pakistani, Italian, and English kids adorn the corridors.

There are Dutch-English, French-Vietnamese and Filipino- Americans.

Then there is the Australian guy who has lived in France for two years, and the Malaysian who has lived in Dubai for three.

And these are just the students!

Staff is equally as colorful -- teachers hail from countries such as New Zealand, Myanmar, Indonesia, England, Holland and Spain to have a taste of the international experience, delivering anecdotes and stories close to home to pep their classes up.

Classes are designed well and are effective in their goal of making the students more internationally aware.

Talks and discussions are conducted on just about every issue under the sun: current events, prejudice, religion, money management and, yeah, ok, that L-O-V-E word.

Loving to learn

Literature classes boast books by African and Peruvian writers whose works would otherwise go unread by other young students. History videos are international in scope, putting different countries in focus.

Learning a foreign language is also encouraged -- most international students are bilingual at the very least.

Studying in an international school opens a plethora of opportunities for a student.

Schools' contacts and involvement with international educational facilities allow for a wide range of university choices the world over.

Guidance counselors and career advisers are always supportive of your chosen career path -- sometimes they get even more excited than you do when they hear of an offer given to you by your first choice university! It's actually pretty cute.

Lunch in the school cafeteria represents the quasi-"social scene" that lies hidden behind the students' actual independence when dealing with their studies.

Served for the day: anything from chili con carne and baked potatoes, cream of potato soup, Waldorf salad, to the infamous chicken subway. Crisps, yogurt, wafers, cookies and KitKats are also bestsellers. To wash it all down: a choice of juice boxes, chocolate milk, Teh Kotak (tea boxes) and canned soda. Take your pick.

Emerging from the lunch line, you may be overwhelmed by the number of little social congregations scattered throughout the cafeteria.

It may seem as though there is a big marginalization between the year groups, but the "nomads" wandering around "mingling" prove otherwise.

Everyone is friends with everyone here, regardless of race, age or lunch table.

After a quick bite, avid footballers can be counted on a quick game on the pitches, or basketballers under the hoops, come rain or shine.

With a kitted-out gym, Olympic-sized swimming pool and climbing wall, sporting possibilities are endless.

Expressive arts are an integral part of our community as well, with amazing art and music facilities -- the fully equipped dark room for photography is my personal favorite.

It seems as though everyone has some sort of talent here, and opportunities at enhancing these talents are infinite -- quite impressive.

Out and about

Contrary to any common idea that international schools as a community only keep to themselves, this society stretches its arm out to the rest of the world, allowing the students a LOT of exposure to enhance their skills.

Trips. A BIG thing in the international school community. Sports, Music, Drama, Geography, and even Biology classes get their chance.

These trips aren't just your run-of-the-mill field trip either -- depending on their "expertise", students travel to Singapore, Bangkok and reach as far as England.

This community also gives back to its host country, Indonesia. Many drama productions and music shows have been open to the general public.

Family Days and bazaars are organized for a bit of "R&R", and shopping, naturally!

Social service is the key, and we take it very seriously -- international schools earnestly support charities, orphanages and other organizations all over the country.

As an example, students from the British International School have been organizing weekly trips by a group of orphanage children to their school, and use this short time for games, music (and food!).

This undertaking took life almost two years ago, and is still running strong today -- the gratification is beyond explanation.

As the weekend rolls along, students storm clubs, cinemas and malls for a bit of a break from a hard week at school.

Anywhere from just two or an entire posse of anak bule go gallivanting till all hours of the next morning, and catch up on that lost sleep by waking up at 4 that afternoon.

Seems to be worth it, though. All in the name of good fun.

In such a close-knit community, many are lucky to find real friends among their peers and strong friendships are built.

However, as travelers, friends come and go along the way -- though this is inevitable with the uncertainty of one's stay in a particular country.

It is always hard, and the same feelings are aroused every single time. This is the disadvantage of being a "global nomad", and a rather painful one.

There is a sense of camaraderie in our little chunk of the world, one that will be hard to destroy despite physical distance.

Shared experiences, laughter -- sometimes tears -- dreams, and aspirations -- this is life abroad, seen through the eyes of an international student.