Our AISL Harrow Scholars

When I first arrived in Bangkok four days before school started, I was excited but also slightly scared to be honest: a completely new place, a new language, and a new culture. Everything seemed so strange and unfamiliar to me at that time, and I could recall myself being so stressed about attending Harrow, making new friends and how I should behave as a scholar. However, as I settled down, I quickly found that I was being too cautious. All the teachers I have met so far have been very kind and helpful, even if I were to ask questions that had little to do with their areas of expertise.

The best part of being in Harrow is making new connections. Each and every person I have met in Harrow has their own strengths in various fields: sports, instruments, dance, technology, physics, medicine, and business. So, as I stayed close to them, I came to know many ideas and concepts that I would never have thought of coming across. This whole experience seems like a trial version of the real world we would be facing later in life. Even if I had just arrived a month ago, so much has happened, and I can confidently state that I now have many people I can talk comfortably with at Harrow, not just from the same year group; there were friends I met in my tutor group, House Dance, House Camp, and after school activities, teachers, and even more students from boarding activities.

Just within a month after arriving at the boarding village, this place, which was supposed to be so unfamiliar to me, now feels just like home, and I cannot wait to contribute all my efforts to the Harrow Community. 

An overwhelming thrill filled me when I first received the AISL scholarship: the next four months were spent in relentless anticipation for the endless opportunities to broaden my horizons in my educational and social prospects at Harrow.

Although I initially had doubts about doing well in a foreign society, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that was not the case. The caring community of students, teachers and boarding staff have given me a sense of belonging: in just a month, I had already made many friends in the school and boarding village.

Furthermore, the educational system of Harrow is amazing: the teachers are proficient in their subjects, explain lectures comprehensively, and patiently answer our questions. The countless extra-curricular and super-curricular activities also provide brilliant utilities to supplement my studies.

It is indeed an honour for me to have received such a prestigious scholarship, and I am very grateful that it has opened new windows of opportunity. As I progress throughout the years, I will keep upholding and contributing to the Harrow society to the best of my ability. 

My experience at Harrow has been nothing short of perfect. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I was greeted with warmth and kindness from both the teachers and fellow students. It’s definitely a great pleasure to meet old friends and previous teachers and get to know new people. Teachers are not only knowledgeable and experienced but also genuinely care about us. Students are incredibly kind and welcoming. They have made me feel like a part of the community from day one. The facilities are brilliant, and school offers various EAs, which allows students to pursue their interests and talents outside the classroom.

Overall, the atmosphere here is inspiring and motivating. The combination of dedicated teachers, kind-hearted students, excellent facilities, and a strong academic focus creates an environment where learning thrives. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible school community. 

I can safely say that applying for the AISL Harrow Scholarship has undoubtedly elevated my learning journey to new heights.

I am so grateful to my Housemaster, Mr Stokley and everyone in Churchill House for making my experience so unique and fulfilling each and every day. I truly appreciate the warm and inclusive environment that the pupils and teachers have fostered here, whether it be games or call-over in the morning,  and I am so grateful for being part of this successful and thriving community and having made so many talented friends already. As a new pupil, I can feel that I will certainly succeed in this environment that is proven to produce effective world leaders and strong members of society.

The A Level curriculum is a platform where learners can specialise in their talents and interests, and I can safely say that my teachers have done a wonderful job setting expectations and guiding us through the transition from IGCSE to A Levels, and helping to make our learning journey smoother. I can certainly say that the small class sizes are extremely conducive to productive class discussions and increased help from teachers. I have never found myself hesitating to ask for help in this school, and I find my lessons invigorating and enjoyable. In addition to my lessons, Beyond Harrow, the numerous university preparation sessions run by Ms Morris, the Director of Sixth Form have provided me with a new insight with regards to university applications, and I believe that these sessions will equip me with the various tips and tricks needed to thrive in the present day.

Harrow Hong Kong also offers a plethora of academic and extracurricular opportunities for pupils to explore their passions and maintain their physical wellbeing. I am currently embarking on my Duke of Edinburgh Silver journey and participating in a football extracurricular activity. These activities have been extremely rewarding and have improved my mental health and wellbeing, as I am able to interact and share ideas with like-minded pupils with the same passions as me.

This generous AISL Harrow Scholarship has been a golden opportunity, offering me a gateway to world class education and I will certainly make the most of it. I am extremely excited to embark on my Sixth Form journey and I believe this journey will be rewarding and fulfilling regardless of the challenges I face.  

Even though Hong Kong is far from my home country, ever since my first step into this school, I always felt welcomed as part of the Harrow International School Hong Kong community. Mr Stokley, my House Master, has been a tremendous help with the transition period for both becoming a boarder, and for stepping up into the Sixth Form. The overall environment at Harrow is supportive of studying; all my peers are hard-working, which motivates me even more to want to achieve greater things together as a team.

Additionally, the school curriculum is specifically designed to aim at goals in the future. The curriculum teaches me essential life skills as well as A Level courses which I intended to study. This enables me to become more well-rounded, which prepares me for the real world outside of school. Furthermore, the School helps me to prepare for university applications and I am also able to explore more opportunities with this support.

Lastly, there are a variety of societies and extracurriculars that I can sign up for, to challenge myself even more in the fields that I am interested in. In addition, the School provides fantastic opportunities to take part in leadership roles such as: prefects, head students, and heads of house, which allows me to face challenges that I might not be so comfortable with. I am excited and looking forward to the Sixth Form experience at Harrow Hong Kong.