探索、适应、成长，每一段新征程都值得被记录。

开学一周多的时间，曼校新生们已经在这片充满活力的社区里找到了自己的节奏。从最初的好奇与忐忑，到如今的从容与自信，他们经历了怎样的转变？让我们跟随八年级新生Victoria和Aliyah的视角，一探他们的曼校初体验！

当被问及对曼校的第一印象时，Victoria脱口而出：“开放、活力、多元。”“开放是因为学校鼓励我们大胆表达想法；活力则体现在同学们都朝气蓬勃，他们积极地参与各项社团和体育活动；多元是因为同学们来自不同的国家和地区，互相有着不同的文化背景，交流起来能听到许多新奇的故事。”

Victoria同学

Aliyah则选择了用“人才济济、环境优美、学术卓越”三个词精准概括。“从最初走进校园的那一刻起，我就被这里的学术氛围和校园环境所深深吸引。走廊里挂满了同学们的艺术作品，随时都能感受到创意在流动。最重要的是，无论是老师还是学长学姐，都会主动微笑打招呼，让我感觉很亲切”。

Aliyah同学

谈到最喜欢的科目，Aliyah毫不犹豫地选择了数学。“数学老师Mr.Jason的课堂生动有趣，让我对数学的刻板印象有了很大地改观。他会主动询问同学们需不需要帮助，也会非常细心地讲解题目。”

当然，新的学习环境也带来了诸多挑战。Aliyah坦言全英文授课是她遇到的第一个学习挑战。“刚开始我确实有些吃力，于是我每天都会刻苦背单词，现在已经逐渐可以跟上学习节奏了。”

Victoria则深刻地感受到了教学模式的不同。“以前的教学方式更像是单向的灌输知识，而曼校的老师更像引导者，会抛出问题让我们自主思考、小组合作探究，然后一起讨论得出结论，特别锻炼思维能力。在关心学习之余，老师还很重视我们的兴趣和心理状态。比如我们Lomon的老师，每天都会和我聊聊天，问问我最近有没有什么想尝试的事，或者是否需要帮助，感觉像朋友一样。”

对比以前的学习生活，两位同学都感受到了显著的变化。

Aliyah认为：“曼校最大的改变在于教育理念方面，会让学生劳逸结合。”Victoria则表示：“最大的改变是自主性变强了。以前都是老师安排好学习任务，现在我可以自己规划时间，感觉对自己的学习和生活有了更多掌控感。”

开学短短一周多，她们都已经收获满满。Aliyah认识了许多新朋友也学到了很多知识，Victoria则学会了“通过小组讨论、查阅资料来深入学习知识”。

对于未来的曼校生活，两位同学都充满期待。

Aliyah表示：“我最期待的是12、13年级的学习生活，我想好会利用自身的资源以及曼校优秀的师资力量让我如愿以偿考上心仪的大学！”

热爱长笛的 Victoria 则有着清晰的艺术规划：“希望从基础演奏进阶到独奏，还想加入学校乐团练合奏，未来能代表学校参加比赛！” 为了实现目标，她打算每天用学校的音乐练习室练琴，加入乐团后认真学声部配合，积累舞台经验。

开学仅一周多，从Aliyah和Victoria的分享中，我们看到了好奇、适应、摸索与成长。她们正在曼校这片学习沃土上，逐渐发掘属于自己的那道光。

Aliyah和Victoria的曼校故事，才刚刚开始书写。期待这群新生力量，在这里创造更多精彩！

Exploration, adaptation, and growth—every new journey is worth recording.

After more than a week since the start of the school year, new students at MIS have already found their rhythm in this vibrant community. From initial curiosity and nervousness to today’s calm and confidence, what changes have they experienced? Let’s follow the perspectives of two eighth-grade newcomers, Victoria and Aliyah, and take a glimpse into their first experiences at MIS!

When asked about her first impression of MIS, Victoria immediately said: “Open, energetic, and diverse.”

“'Open' because the school encourages us to express our ideas boldly; 'energetic' is reflected in how the students are full of vitality, actively participating in various clubs and sports activities; 'diverse' because students come from different countries and regions, each with unique cultural backgrounds, and exchanging stories with them brings so many fascinating insights.”

Aliyah chose three keywords to summarize her impression: “Talented, beautiful environment, and academic excellence.”

“From the moment I first stepped onto campus, I was deeply attracted by the academic atmosphere and the campus environment. The hallways are filled with students’ artwork, and you can always feel creativity flowing. Most importantly, whether teachers or senior students, everyone greets you with a smile—it feels very welcoming.”

When talking about her favorite subject, Aliyah didn’t hesitate to choose math.

“Mr. Jason’s math classes are lively and fun, which greatly changed my preconceived notions about math. He proactively asks if we need help and explains problems very patiently.”

Of course, the new learning environment also brought challenges. Aliyah admitted that fully English-taught classes were her first academic challenge.

“At the beginning, I did struggle a bit, so I made an effort to memorize vocabulary every day. Now, I’m gradually keeping up with the pace.”

Victoria deeply felt the difference in the teaching model.

“Previous teaching methods felt more like one-way knowledge transfer, while teachers at MIS act more like guides. They pose questions for us to think independently, explore in groups, and then discuss conclusions together—it really trains our thinking skills. Besides caring about our studies, teachers also value our interests and mental well-being. For example, my Lomond clan teacher chats with me daily, asking if there’s anything I’d like to try or if I need help—it feels like talking to a friend.”

Comparing their previous school experiences, both students noticed significant changes.

Aliyah believes: “The biggest change at MIS lies in the educational philosophy—it emphasizes balancing work and rest.”

Victoria says: “The biggest change is the increase in autonomy. Previously, teachers assigned all tasks; now, I can plan my own time and feel more in control of my learning and life.”

In just over a week, they have already gained much. Aliyah met many new friends and learned a lot of knowledge, while Victoria learned to “deepen her understanding through group discussions and research.”

Both students are full of expectations for their future life at MIS.

Aliyah says: “I look forward most to the learning life in Year 12 and 13. I plan to use my own resources and MIS’s excellent faculty to help me get into my dream university!”

Victoria, who loves the flute, has clear artistic plans:

“I hope to progress from basic performance to solo performance, and also want to join the school orchestra to practice ensemble pieces. In the future, I’d like to represent the school in competitions!”

To achieve this, she intends to practice daily in the school’s music rooms and, after joining the orchestra, diligently learn vocal harmony and accumulate stage experience.

From the sharing of Aliyah and Victoria, we see curiosity, adaptation, exploration, and growth. They are gradually discovering their own light on this fertile ground of learning at MIS.

The stories of Aliyah and Victoria at MIS have only just begun. We look forward to these new forces creating more wonderful achievements here!