Star Students of 2023

We would like to recognize the great achievements and years of hard work from the Class of 2023. This batch of students has navigated online learning and Covid-19 lockdowns with perseverance and grit.

As they finish their final months of school and bid Shanghai farewell, we celebrate them and wish them the best of luck in their futures. Congrats grads on a job well done!

Harrow International School Shanghai

Best high school memory? 

My favourite memories are of working with friends to create short films. I had lots of fun doing this over the years and made memories with my closest friends, and I also gained experience for the future.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I’ve wanted to become a film-maker since I was a child. At first, I used the camera on my dad’s old laptop to film videos around the house. Now, I’m ready to pursue a career in filmmaking, and hope to receive offers from the universities I’ve applied to!

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
Music is also another passion of mine. Before doing A-Levels, I never had any formal musical education, though I did often write music. Starting the A-Level Music course was therefore hard, but over time I learned lots, helping me to write better songs and film scores.

Who is your role model?

Edgar Wright, my favourite director, has always inspired me with the attention to detail he gives in his films. His style is so distinctively his own that any of his films would be instantly recognisable as his even if you’ve never seen the film before. That’s what I strive for.

Concordia International School Shanghai

Best high school memory?

My favorite memory of high school is when the track team almost got locked down inside of a neighboring international school due to a close contact in March of 2022, the next day we had to do a 6k run from a Zhang Jiang COVID testing site all the way back to school.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I chose Cornell Engineering because its values—diversity, rigor, and creativity, aligned perfectly with what I envisioned to be the school where I’d spend the next four years of my academic and life journey.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
Self doubt was something that I struggled with throughout high school, but over the years I’ve learned to trust in myself and give myself more credit for the things I’ve accomplished.

Who is your role model?

My role models are the math teachers I’ve had over the years in high school, Dr. Tong and Dr. Fu. Their passion and drive for mathematics motivates me to become a better learner everyday.

Best high school memory?

My favorite memories are with my friends. I love staying after school to play soccer and scavenge the aisles of Family Mart.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
The storm showed no signs of stopping. My tent was shredded, my rations were scattered, and my clothes were soaked. This was my first night solo at Outward Bound, North Carolina, a 3-day challenge for campers to reflect in solitude. Armed with bagels and an emergency whistle, I can’t believe I survived the storm that night. Despite the temptation to quit, I found peace in nature by writing in my gratitude journal. This experience gave me a appreciation for life and desire to fight for those who can’t.

Why did you pick your university and major?
My passion is using cinematic arts to elicit social change like marine conservation. Because USC is close to Hollywood and the Catalina Islands, I look forward to scuba diving and creating films. With diving gear and an underwater camera, I hope to make the underwater world accessible to the public. CS enables these and serves as a fallback.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Jacques Cousteau. He was an influential oceanographer that filmed environmental issues. Media that catalyze social change resonate with me.

The British International School Shanghai Puxi

Best high school memory?

Junior year, I packaged and donated Christmas gifts to a local migrant school as part of the Giving Tree Program. Working across age groups and community service was a significant experience to me.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I was attracted to NYU’s diverse community. NYU’s applied psychology program provides extensive technological research facilities to explore my major in depth. And being in NYC, I’ll have access to endless career opportunities to grow.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, dysmorphic beauty standards twisted my mind. With the help of my community, I found strength in turning struggles into advocacy.

Who is your role model?

My role model is my mathematics teacher, Ms. Yadav. Whenever I faced a complex math problem or felt anxious, she always reinforced the belief that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. Now with her support, I take on challenging opportunities, rather than shying away.

Shanghai Community International School

Best high school memory?

I will miss interacting with different personalities across campus from staff to students. Everyone is extremely caring and friendly, which makes me appreciate SCIS.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I would love to open my own Michelin star restaurant. I chose École Hôtelière de Lausanne because I love the course structure and opportunity to experience two internships. I see myself continuing to grow in an international environment, just like Shanghai.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
In 2020 at the age of 14, I flew from Shanghai and got stuck in Leipzig due to Covid. I was away from my family for two years. I overcame being homesick by surrounding myself with positive individuals and adapting to a new environment. I now have lifelong memories and know that I can successfully navigate whatever comes my way.

Who is your role model?

My brother, Sembey, is my role model. He is a very determined, hardworking, positive, passionate, and wholesome person. He taught me that quality work takes effort, motivation, and time.

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

Best high school memory?

Every single ACAMIS I have participated in, whether basketball or volleyball, is easily my favorite memory. Meeting other players, visiting different places, all helped shape me.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
A big challenge was learning how to lead. I preferred laying low in the crowd. However, after becoming captain for the girls’ volleyball and basketball teams, I, with the help of teachers and friends, learned to become more capable, responsible and dependable as a leader.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I would like to go into health or science, specifically biological or psychological science. I enjoy learning why humans or animals behave in certain ways, and I want to help others.

Who is your role model?

Ms. Fung, who is the Head of Physical Education, and an amazing coach and mentor. She is strong mentally and physically, and her coaching ideologies inspired me to become the best version of myself, by setting high goals and never giving up.

Best high school memory?

I don’t have a favorite, rather many small memories make high school unforgettable. These memories come from playing sports, chatting, discussing academics, hanging out with friends, and helping and supporting each other.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
I always thought that if I chased perfection, I would reach excellence, but I slowly realized that this mindset was weighing me down because this result-oriented mindset made me forget the purpose of pursuing what I love to do. Therefore, every time I have a sports game or take a test, I try to focus on the journey, and this mindset transition helped me perform better.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I chose economics because I am fascinated by how the fusion of economic theories and mathematical models can explain the various phenomena in daily life and the decisions agents like myself make. Economics is vital to understanding the world and can be used for societal improvement.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Elon Musk because despite doubts from famous scientists when he was developing SpaceX, he did not give up, and he kept going, and today SpaceX has launched 31 Falcon 9 rockets. His mentality of never giving up and constantly pushing himself to his limit is inspirational.

Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong

Best high school memory?
Ending a busy week with my two passions back-to-back. An hour of group choir rehearsals, followed by basketball training to enjoy the teamwork, pace, and competition.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I chose economics for its blend of quantitative analysis and qualitative reasoning to understand how it permeates from everyday life to global affairs. I chose Haverford because of its broad core curriculum and flexible courses to understand the world.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
Public speaking was a struggle, hindering my ability to present my ideas. To face my fear, I hosted a CNY ceremony, which was a challenge for me. However, this boosted my confidence and improved my self-expression skills.

Who is your role model?

Mr. McGee, my former economics teacher, had a deep understanding of the subject, which he interwove with insights from other areas and his own experiences. He inspired me to learn about the world from multiple perspectives rather than from a single rigid standpoint.

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi

Best high school memory?

The hike with classmates during our Duke of Edinburgh International Award trip to Thailand. During this challenging climb, we admired breathtaking landscapes. After, we took cold bucket showers, swung in hammocks in a treehouse, shared stories, and savored the moment. It was an unforgettable experience that brought us closer together.

Why did you pick your university and major?
The appeal of computer science goes beyond technical intricacies. I am drawn to its ability to have an impact on society. My passion for technology was sparked after participating in the Lego Mindstorm Challenge, where we programmed a robot to complete certain tasks.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
A button on my washing machine broke. After getting tips from my family, I had a new idea to insert the broken piece into a plastic Mahjong chip, which fit perfectly and fixed the machine. This taught me the value of seeking help and taking creative approaches.

Who is your role model?

My father. Despite challenges and academic struggles, he became a successful businessman through hard work and determination. He taught me that anything is possible with effort and a positive attitude, and he continues to inspire me.

Shanghai American School Pudong Campus

Best high school memory?

At Relay for Life, an event dedicated to cancer patients, we walked for 24 hours in solidarity. Huddling together in front of the crackling campfire with my closest friends was unforgettable.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
A constant challenge is motivating myself to work harder. To a student, a plateau is ultimately regression. Thus, I strive for better both academically and personally. It is difficult to face the disappointment of not meeting goals. I learned to draw motivation from frustration instead of being discouraged.

Why did you pick your university and major?
My clumsy self got a cast seven times before I turned 10. I’ve tried pink, blue, and plain white casts. The hospital became a familiar place, and I even looked forward to check-ups and vaccinations. Since then, I dedicated myself to preparing for medical school.

Who is your role model?

My deepest respect is for writers. With words, they built my entire childhood and shaped me. Their worlds and characters offer a needed escape from an often overwhelming reality. I aspire to be as articulate and thought-provoking, and be an inspiration for others.

Shanghai American School Puxi Campus

Best high school memory?

I’ll never forget the moment my friends and I took our first bites of pancake after not eating during the 30-Hour Fast, a school event that opened my eyes to food waste and hunger.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I’ve engaged in discussions ranging from androgyny in fashion to 4D mathematics to whether hotdogs are sandwiches (they are not). Brown’s unique Open Curriculum is the perfect fit— it gives me freedom to explore many subjects while pursuing my love for biology.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
Growing up, I was under the shadow of my older brother. In high school, my efforts to discover my unique strengths and passions through experimentation and exploration have taught me not to compare myself to others, rather embrace my authentic self.

Who is your role model?

My mother is a cook, blogger, chemist, photographer, interior designer, golf tournament organizer, and more. Her lifelong willingness to learn new skills inspired me to take on running a half-marathon and self-learning piano.

Wellington College International Shanghai

Best high school memory?

There were way too many over the past few years. Every day was refreshing and enjoyable as something interesting and fun always happens.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I have always wanted to study in the US. Its successful entrepreneurs and scientists have long been role models for me. My major gives me the freedom to explore different areas of studies and find one that will suit me the best.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
Taking the SAT and getting the score I wanted was a big challenge for me, as my English was not that good. I thought about giving up numerous times when I kept getting low scores. But with persistence and hard work I finally achieved a score I am happy with.

Who is your role model?

Businessman Steven Schwartzman is my role model. He founded one of the largest private equity firms in the world and survived numerous economic crises. His charisma and intelligence are something I really admire.

Lycée Français de Shanghai

Jules Marceau

Nationality: French

College/University: TBD

Intended Major: Engineering, Maths and NSI (computer science)

Best high school memory?
I don’t have a specific memory yet, but I know that my favorite high school memories are the time spent with my friends laughing and arguing together.

Why did you pick your university and major?
I chose mathematics and computer science as a major because I enjoy these subjects. Shanghai French School offers us the possibility of a French education program with diverse culture backgrounds at school.

Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
I moved up a grade in middle school and had to fit in with new elder people, it took several years to get there but it allowed me to learn from older people than me.

Who is your role model?

My classmates and teachers are my role models. They are all better than me in various fields, whether it is at an academic or human level. I can always find something they can teach me.