Abroad and Beyond- Finding Home in Movement

In 2014, when most first-graders were settling into routine, my family moved to Bangkok, Thailand. I enrolled at Lertlah International School, trading familiarity for adventure. Thailand became my classroom—not just for math and reading, but for adaptability and cultural awareness.

Just as I was getting comfortable with Thai phrases and the rhythm of Bangkok life, we moved again. In 2016, Shanghai became our new home, and I started third grade at Xiehe SUIS Shangyin. By fifth grade, I had attended schools in three different countries.

These moves weren't always easy. Each time meant new friends, new systems, new ways of learning. But they taught me something invaluable: flexibility. I learned that "home" isn't just a place—it's something you can create anywhere. I discovered that being uncomfortable is often where growth happens.

Living abroad allowed me to face various challenges that, at my young age, I didn't even realize were challenges. But, growth can happen even if you don't realize it, and it rarely happens in comfort zones. Whether navigating a new country, mastering a difficult language, or taking ownership of my education, the moments that shaped me most were the ones that pushed me beyond what felt easy or familiar.

As I continue forward, I carry these lessons with me: resilience from my earliest days, adaptability from constant movement, persistence from language immersion, and self-direction from high school. Each experience built upon the last, creating a foundation not just for academic success, but for approaching life with curiosity, determination, and the confidence that challenges are simply opportunities waiting to be seized.