International Students Bring Unique Perspectives

By Amy B. Miller

Each fall, the leaves begin to change colors, fresh school supplies are purchased and school doors open to millions of students across the country. Many children will move to new schools for a variety of reasons. Some will leave their loved ones, travel across the world and embark on an experience which will forever change their lives.

These are international students, and The Summit Country Day School has been welcoming them since 2012. The Summit’s international program currently has 13 students from China and Spain. Six are members of the Class of 2023, and like their fellow classmates, they are making decisions for the next steps in their educational journey.

Y iheng “Ethan” Wu ‘23 came to The Summit from his home in China at the beginning of his eighth-grade year in 2018. As any middle schooler may be, he was a bit anxious entering a new school and environment, but not for the reasons one may suspect.

Ethan was nervous about perfecting his English, even though he had been studying the language since the age of 6. Daily immersion allowed his skills to emerge, and Ethan recently gave a chapel talk to his Upper School classmates about his experience here at The Summit. His message was one of gratitude. He thanked all those who have supported and cheered him on, including his soccer coach, Scott Sievering, and his varsity soccer teammates.

K nown for his sense of humor, gift of gab and passion for soccer, particularly Manchester United, Ethan decided during his sophomore year to dedicate himself to being Summit’s soccer manager. It was there he found his place and purpose on the team.

“A good team doesn’t need just good soccer players, we need good team players,” he says. “We became a family, and I made lifelong friendships. I feel very lucky.”

Ethan set out to be “the best team manager there was,” and as those that he managed attest, he did just that. Teammate Dalton Slusher ‘23 says:

“Ethan has always been positive and seeks opportunities to succeed.” In addition to Summit’s AP and honors classes, he is studying Multivariable Calculus online with Johns Hopkins University.

“I chose Summit because it allows me to develop my interests, not just academics but also athletics. That’s a big part of my life,” he shares. “One of my friends [from China] came to Summit and he really loved this place. I decided to follow his path and it turned out very, very well. I love this place too.”

The Summit international program is rebounding from challenges presented during the COVID-19 years. Program coordinator, Brandon Lorentz ‘13, hopes to grow and expand international enrollment in the near future.

“ We are fortunate to have this program at The Summit,” he says. “We have the opportunity to watch these kids grow and mature. We also see how our entire student body learns invaluable lessons from each student we welcome from countries around the world.”