I would be surrounded with new faces in a new place. Although it was a challenge, in the beginning, I know that this was the perfect place for me - I mean, I have already found my best friend and a twin. This place has the most surreal beauty and people - all in all, making it feel like home already. I don’t really feel like a new student because there is always someone beside you being your friend, and that’s the beauty of it all - Woodstock is a place where we all come together, no matter if you are new or returning. As Lao Tzu once said that “a journey of a thousand miles must begin with one step.” I have only taken one step in this adventurous journey, and I can’t wait for the thousand more miles to come.
Exchange Student (MackenzieGrade 10): Coming to Woodstock as an exchange student was a massive jump from my school in Australia. Simply the culture difference is enormous - it’s been challenging but a fun experience adjusting to this. Woodstock School is similar to my own back home but does
have its differences. The first thing that I noticed which was different is the community. The teachers and students honestly care for you and want to see you achieve success. Being at a boarding school is different from my own but has bought many positives. Relying on myself for everything and not always having mum there to do everything is helping me develop vital skills. There’s been times when all I could think about was going home and the amazing time I’d be having there but, I know that the experience that I’m having here will be life changing. Coming into a grade over half way through school has been hard as they already have their “set” friendship groups. Although, most students have been welcoming. The dorm parents are one of the best things about Woodstock! They are constantly making you feel happy and at home and are always there if you need someone to talk to. It’s been a positive and challenging experience thus far!
Faisal Qadir, grade 11 (Ladakh)
utopian for me. I had applied for admission very late, I could not afford the fees, I needed aid and that seemed difficult to come, I still was working hard to make it through but half heartedly, as I somehow knew for certain, I am not going to make it to Woodstock. Coming to Woodstock, the initial days were quite hard for me, as this community with all this diversity was conducive but hard to blend in with. But I took pleasure of the difficulties as these were the signs that I was changing and the reason I came to Woodstock was to change to a better, global minded person. Back where I used to study, I used to be one of the intelligent students of my section. I did well in studies, but here at Woodstock, all that went down the drain, the education standards and teaching methodology are so high up than any other school that I struggled a lot coping up with the class, I also had to make some changes to my courses and goals, in order to bring down the pressure to the level I could sustain. Woodstock so far has been a very good experience.
Late June Woodstock for me was
participated in a great variety of events, some traditional track and field, and some that were less likely to feature in the Olympics but more likely to create laughter. The sack race in particular was a definite highlight. High-jump, shot-put, sprints and relays all featured and the combination of big smiles between events and determined faces during events summed up what the day was all about – enjoying the outdoors, building relationships, competing, new experiences, students trying their best and good sportsmanship. The day ended with staff vs. student relays in which the staff were put to shame by their much younger opponents. In the end the Merlins house narrowly defeated Condors with Eagles not far behind but really, the results counted for little compared to the fun enjoyed by all throughout the day. A huge
thanks needs to go to Mr. Crider and his team for the great organization that made the Field Day possible. The students also need to be congratulated
for their exemplary behavior and positive attitudes throughout the day.
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