“Chinese Bootcamp, American Ghost, Zoom Prison, Fully Seen”—How Many Lives Can One High Schooler Have?
High school is a transformative time for everyone, but my experience was anything but ordinary. Moving from a highly structured Chinese high school to an American public school—and later a private school—taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of finding joy in unexpected places. Each year brought new challenges and invaluable life lessons that shaped who I am today.
Freshman Year: Discipline and the Weight of Expectations
"My high school journey began in China, where education was intense and structured. Each day started in darkness with the 6:30 am self-study session, followed by seven back-to-back classes, mandatory military-style group runs, and study sessions stretching past 9:30 pm. Sundays were not an exception - those afternoons were simply more study blocks in our endless preparation cycle. The gaokao (China's national college entrance exam) wasn't just a test; it felt like our entire futures depended on it, and that pressure followed us everywhere."
Discipline is powerful, but balance is necessary. Life isn’t just about exams—it’s about growth, curiosity, and well-being.
Sophomore Year: Culture Shock and the Struggle to Belong
Midway through freshman year, my life changed completely when my family moved to America. Suddenly I found myself in a public school where everything worked differently, students chose their classes, and I had to navigate crowded hallways between bells, trying not to get lost while everyone else seemed to know exactly where they were going. The social rules were even harder to figure out. With my limited English, I often felt invisible in this new world. But then I found my safe spaces - the tiny ESL class with just three students and our incredibly patient teacher who made me feel seen, and the Chinese Club where I could feel a piece of home.
Feeling lost is part of the journey. Adaptation takes time, and small comforts can make a new place feel like home.
Junior Year: Isolation, Resilience, and Finding Light in the Dark
When COVID-19 hit, my world suddenly became small. Stuck at home, every day blurred together in front of a screen. Online classes made me feel alone, and my motivation disappeared. I didn’t like how I was changing—both my body and my mood. But I refused to give up. I moved my furniture aside, opened YouTube, and discovered Pamela, a fitness trainer who became my unexpected hero. Her workouts did more than just keep me active—they gave me purpose. With every sore muscle and drop of sweat, I wasn’t just exercising; I was taking back control of my life.
When life stands still, move yourself. Joy won't always come to you—sometimes you need to go find it, even if it's just in little steps.
Senior Year: Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
For my final year, I transferred to a private school in a new state. This time, I wouldn't just observe - I would participate fully. I auditioned for the dance team and earned spots on both the Varsity hip-hop and JV jazz squads. I found my voice in the choir, discovered a lifelong passion in cinema class, and even asked out my crush. But the real transformation came from finding my people. The international students became my second family—we celebrated Homecoming, Prom, and Six Flags trips together. Behind it all were the teachers and mentors who saw potential in me when I doubted myself. Their belief gave me the courage to stop just surviving school and start truly living it
Sometimes you need a fresh start, the right people, and someone to believe in you—to become the version of yourself you were always meant to be.
Looking back, my high school experience was a rollercoaster of extremes—strict routines and newfound freedom, isolation and belonging, uncertainty and self-discovery. But the biggest takeaway? Life isn’t about the system you’re in; it’s about how you navigate it. Whether you're surviving through 6:30 AM self-study sessions in China or dancing under disco lights at an American Prom, every phase teaches you something valuable.
To anyone feeling lost in transition: Your journey is yours alone, but you’re never truly alone in it. Keep adapting, keep pushing, and most importantly—keep finding joy along the way.
What was your high school experience like? Share your story below!
