Navigating the High School in -14°C

Photo courtesy: BBC

As the new semester starts in the cold icy weather, three new students are flowing into the high school. Starting a new school can be daunting, especially in the middle of the year. However, thanks to the effort put in by the school Ambassadors and the high school community, the transition has been smooth for several new students. 

One of the new students, Konstantinos Tsokos (9) who moved from Florida to Seoul recently, explained SFS has been a big change for him. However, he expressed his appreciation for his smooth transition and stated, “My Ambassador buddy introduced me to the school well when I first came.” He also explained that the school is more inclusive than other schools he has been to before and “stood out, making it easier to make a smooth transition.” Although the school environment and the facility are vastly different from his previous school, it was not that hard to get used to as he “likes the modern architecture and the better facilities.” 

Elizabeth Gu (9) was a new student last year and fully resonated with Konstantinos and other new students she has seen since the beginning of the school year. Before arriving at SFS, she attended 9 different schools from Jeju to the US and even in the Philippines. She knows how overwhelming it can be to adjust and even just get to know the schedule. She explained that it is normal to feel nervous and she stated “My advice is to join a lot of activities, especially sports, because you gain a lot from teamwork and get to meet a lot of new people from your grade and upperclassmen.” A lot of her friends from her previous schools were made through her hobby; basketball! She also explained that SFS was one of the most welcoming schools, and wished the new students the best.

Despite the inevitable awkwardness of starting at a new school, most new students have already begun to settle in. Konstantinos shared that within just a few weeks, he had already made new friends. This quick and seamless transition, both former and current new students thanked the welcoming school community. 

As the new semester unfolds, the interaction between old and new students continues to grow. With more shared stories, pieces of advice, and new friendships being made, the high school shows the most inclusive community to be seen.