Education & Learning Through Claire’s Eyes

It’s no secret that Yajuan (Claire) Hou is on a mission to reach as many students as possible with educational opportunity. In her role as KL’s Director of Online Learning, she devotes her day to innovative online course design, development, and promotion. But when asked what she hopes to achieve by developing new online courses and curriculum, she speaks from the heart, revealing experiences that truly led her to this field.

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Science Empowers Me to Change the World

When Ruoxi Qi from our Barstow Ningbo school was in the third grade, she came across a children’s book about the history of chemistry. She was attracted by the book’s cover and immediately opened it. The more she read, the more fascinated she became with the world of chemistry. From that day on, she carried the book with her everywhere much like a child treats their favorite toy. When she got to junior high biology class, she felt that very same draw. “I realized that I too could change the world – just like those people with their names written across the science textbooks,” she says. “Science has empowered me with an opportunity, and I must empower myself with knowledge.” It was then that Ruoxi decided to develop and pursue her interest in science.

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Helping Others While Improving Yourself

Weixian (Vancy) Dai’s reasons for enrolling in the Barstow-Ningbo school were not just about her academic future. Yes, she has dreamed about attending college in the US since she was very young. But she wanted to attend a high school that would help shape who she would become not just force a pedagogical model on her. “I’m so happy about the choice I made,” she says. “I feel lucky to have met such wonderful teachers who have given me opportunities to express myself, guided me towards discovering my own answers, and encouraged me to explore my potential.”

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When Failure Leads to Growth

Born to a merchant family and influenced by his father from a young age to pursue a business career, Zhengzhou campus student Yifei Ge has always had the impression that business people have the power to influence customers, competitors, and entire industries with their products and services. “Just look at how the iPhone has changed people’s way of life,” he says. “I hope to have the same kind of influence on others, and change the world as well!”

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Guiyang Students Document the Lost Art of Wax Printing

A myriad of intricate designs and colors, wax printing represents a long-forgotten artistry. Representative of Guizhou’s folk craft culture, the art of wax printing was headed for extinction in the wake of mass factory production. Enter Ya Gao and Yanni Li, classmates on our Guiyang campus, whose love of this artistic culture ignited their protective instincts and prompted them to think, “What can we do to raise more attention to the importance of this traditional culture?”

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My International Exchange Experience in China

Culture shock? Language barriers? Safety concerns? These are all very real fears expressed by students considering an international exchange program. Even if you’ve studied a language, it can be daunting to imagine yourself immersed in it. Yet exchange student Sam Guyer would say that’s exactly why you should go. “Being surrounded by the Chinese language created an environment that was so beneficial to me,” he says. “I felt like I was continually learning and improving.” According to Sam, he was most looking forward to getting out of his comfort zone and discovering new things about himself. But like any exchange student, he had some pre-travel worries of his own.

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Experiential Learning in Shanghai

Sometimes it’s nice to put the books aside and head out of the classroom for some exploratory and experiential learning. Students and teachers on our Haimen campus did just that recently when they headed to Shanghai (a 2.5 hour drive) to visit the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Rockbund Art Museum, and the Shanghai Tower. It was a full day, one that truly enhanced curriculum by increasing interest and engagement, and bringing students’ courses to life.

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Phil Makes Travel a Priority

By Isa Chen, KL Marketing Associate

The first time I walked into KL’s office in Chongqing, I recognized the KL Exchange Programs board on the wall of my new office and I guessed that it belonged to Shen Lei (Phil). Having just come from working in the US office, I had often heard Phil’s name (and his laugh!) from the numerous video meetings our two offices held regularly. But who exactly would I be sharing office space with?

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