Life is full of surprises, and the only way to experience those surprises is to say yes to more things. As an international student since middle school, it was difficult for me to transition back into the traditional education system when I moved back to Taiwan. The school I attended had the name of an international school, but the culture and education were that of a traditional Taiwanese high school. I felt out of place in many ways and wanted a way out. I was introduced to a schooling network called UWC when speaking to one of Kairos’ founders about alternative solutions to my situation, and this suggestion turned out to be a perfect match for my goals.
UWC is a system of schools spread throughout the world, with the mission to unite people from all backgrounds and races while providing high-quality education through the IB curriculum. UWC is a system of schools spread throughout the world, with the mission to unite people from all backgrounds and races while providing high-quality education through the IB curriculum.
At first, the task seemed daunting. I would have to travel to another country on my own and be responsible for myself. But I felt it was time for a change in my life. It was time for me to start being proactive, to create a path for myself instead of having my future handed to me.
UWC is special in many ways. In no other place will you live with such a diverse community, with all different genders, races, cultures, and upbringings. I applied through my national committee, and after rounds of interviews, I was fortunate to place quite high. This meant that I had the first choice of schools I wanted to attend. It was a hard decision, but I ultimately chose a country called Armenia. Why Armenia? I still couldn’t tell you today. There was a certain charm in going and living in a country I had barely heard of before and couldn’t even point to on a map. I chose Armenia despite some schools being in beautiful European countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, and Bosnia, and other schools being closer to home, such as Japan, Thailand, and India. It wasn’t conscious at the time, but reflecting back, a part of me wanted to seek discomfort in the unknown. That drove me to explore Armenia and the school UWC Dilijan.
When applying through your national committee, your final tuition is evaluated based on your academic ability as well as your financial background. I was fortunate enough to receive around $10,000 a year in scholarship based on my performance and financial background. This took a lot of weight off my family’s shoulders. This was the first big “thing” I had ever done in my life at that point. I had to research, apply, interview, prepare for tests, and travel on my own. There are many things I would do differently now that I’ve gone through the experience. One big issue was the lack of information and understanding of the inner workings of UWC, not only as a school but as a system. There is a large amount of information asymmetry between the system and applicants, and by having a team of experts such as Kairos, much of this asymmetry can be eliminated. This leaves prospective students much better off when deciding on their future.
In Asian culture, parents usually do their best to plan for their children, and therefore agencies for college and school applications are common. What Kairos is building toward, however, is a little different. A traditional agency will usually provide a comprehensive plan from start to finish, with little to no input from the applicants other than their grades and basic information. On the other hand, the consulting role that Kairos takes focuses mainly on the applicants themselves. Applicants have their own thoughts and preferences regarding where they may be applying could benefit the most from Kairos’ expertise. They ensure that the process is a team effort, where applicants have an idea, and Kairos helps execute it more effectively and efficiently.
The future of your own academic journey lies in your hands and your hands only. Always dream bigger than your ability, say yes to things you are scared of, and enjoy the discomfort that comes along with growth.