2024 Summer Programs Recap

SHAD: Linda (Yating) Yu ’26

Many people would describe summer as the best season; I am one of those people. This summer, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend SHAD at Kamloops, in the mountains of British Columbia.

For some brief context, SHAD is a Canada-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program that provides students with the opportunity to study with professors at different universities around Canada. There are labs, lectures, workshops, and field trips designed specifically for each campus.

Being away from home wasn’t fun initially, especially when the destination is Kamloops. When I typed that name into Google Maps, all my excitement was gone. It is literally in the middle of nowhere, a three-hour drive from Vancouver. The fact that I was going to spend half of my summer in this little town beat me down. Little did I know that I would make some of my most treasured memories here. 

None of my days were wasted in Kamloops. I had so many things to write about and so few words to describe them: the camping trip where everyone froze to death; thrifting and roaming around downtown; building and coding robots; playing sitting volleyball; identifying and categorizing bugs using microscopes; the field trip to Kelowna; and so much more. I enjoyed the rich experience of SHAD, as it opened up a whole new way of perceiving the world while allowing me to make friends for life. I will never forget my time at SHAD and I will always be thankful that I didn’t quit when I got assigned to Kamloops. 

As I wrote in the caption of my Instagram post, I truly had the “best summer” there.

Ian Woods Language Exchange Program: Okechukwu Okafo ’25

When I was in elementary school, I fell in love with the French language. Since then, I’ve dreamed of traveling to France and immersing myself in the language and culture. I'm so happy to say that after this summer, my childhood dream has come true….

One of the most meaningful experiences I had in France was when I spent a week on the French Alps in a small village called Mizöen. My travel group was permitted by the mayor of Mizöen to undertake environmental conservation initiatives on the hiking trails. Our lovely mountain guides used French instruction to guide us through the process of re-building rock walls and creating clear and defined paths, thereby protecting endangered alpine biodiversity and making the trails safer for hiking. Next, we hiked for five hours up to a refuge, which was owned by an Old Ridleian, Stephanie. As someone afraid of heights, this was both a physically and emotionally demanding journey. However, because of the support and guidance my teachers gave me, I conquered my fear and made it to the top of the mountain, reminding me that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way.

Another one of my favourite experiences was my stay with my “famille d’acceuil”. I was billeted with the Mamou Family, who instantly made me feel welcomed. Though this was an incredible immersion opportunity, I initially had a very hard time understanding the speed and accent with which these native French speakers spoke. But, day after day, I became better at understanding dinner table conversations and contributing my own ideas to discussions. My confidence in the French language really grew, allowing me to express myself at a level I never could before.

Finally, I enjoyed deepening my understanding of French and European history through tours of historical monuments, such as the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. As an HL IB History student, I must say that it was so exciting seeing the actual locations where various historical events I have studied took place! On July 14th, I celebrated le Jour de Bastille with my host family, which commemorates the symbolic day when the Bastille was stormed to demand individual rights, equality, and representative government. We celebrated by watching a spectacular fireworks show, reminding me about how much the French value liberty, equality, and fraternity.

As an aspiring international lawyer, I can confidently say that this programme was not only a great opportunity to explore my passions, but it was a crucial step in preparation for my future career, which requires multilingualism. I am extremely grateful to Mr. Ian Wood from the Class of ‘53 and my amazing parents for providing me with this opportunity. Above all, it was a beautiful journey of self-discovery and personal development. It was a life-changing experience that deepened my understanding of the world around me and my place within it.

Stanford Swimming: Zichen (Jack) Wang ’27

At the start of the last summer break, my family and I took a trip to California, USA, for Stanford University’s annual swimming camp.

Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, sits in Silicon Valley about 35 miles from San Francisco. Founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford, the university quickly gained acclaim for its academic rigour and research contributions. Its 8,180-acre campus benefits from a Mediterranean climate while blending historic and modern buildings buildings with the architecture.

Stanford excels in fostering innovation, with strong ties to the tech industry and an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Its extensive research facilities, influential alumni network, and beautiful campus make it a leading global institution renowned for academic excellence and entrepreneurial spirit. On this trip, I was amazed by how impressive the campus is and how excellent all the facilities were. The diverse plant life and the buildings’ colours contribute to the campus’s overwhelming beauty. The most shocking aspect of the campus was the three Olympic-sized outdoor pools, with each bulkhead equipped with the best water flow system. The best part of the camp was getting to swim in their impressive pools, using resources like the drag bucket, getting my strokes filmed underwater. I also enjoyed meeting new friends and noticing the improvement in my swimming overall. My goal for the future is to one day attend Stanford University, and swim in their pools once again!

Yale Young Global Scholars: Rebecca Liu ’25

Building a global political party that represents the youth, becoming a money-grubbing oil executive in the Arctic, and buying overpriced (yet delicious) lavender matcha lattes were how I spent two weeks in New Haven, Connecticut this summer. I attended Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) this summer for Session I: Politics, Law, and Economics. There, I met fellow students from the around the world, each one equally passionate about political affairs and the inner workings of the legal and economic systems. 

I attended lectures and seminars every day while taking breaks to play games like Mafia with my family group, explore New Haven, or meet new people. Lectures were given by experienced professors while seminars were by graduate students, with topics ranging from terrorism, developmental economics, mediation, to Christian nationalism. On the weekends, the entire cohort got together to simulate a crisis oil spill in the Arctic. Students took on roles of global leaders, journalists, non-profit heads, and of course, oil executives. At the end, we held a student election where we presented the political parties we had worked on in small groups from the start. Not to brag (I am totally bragging), but my Y.I.P.P.E.E Party (Youth in Pursuit of Peace, Equality, and Empowerment) won our election. 

I met so many wonderful friends from all over the world that I still keep in touch with today. Just like the political affairs we were learning about, we were truly an international group of students that learned and grew with each other for two short weeks. While we sometimes struggled to collaborate and overcome our different viewpoints, when we ended up overcoming these disagreements to work together, we accomplished spectacular things. The experience furthered my interest in studying political science and law while affirming my love for economics (thanks, Mr. Kenny!).

To anyone interested in learning about what it is like to go to school in the USA, explore fields of politics, law, and economics or any of the other amazing programs YYGS offers, or to simply meet people from all over the world, I could not recommend this experience enough. If you have any questions about the application or the experience, please feel free to reach out!

Stanford Summer: Elina (Li Wen) Wang ‘26

This summer, I was provided the opportunity to experience Stanford University. Throughout the two months I spent at Stanford, I was immersed in a vibrant academic environment, attended insightful lectures, participated in hands-on workshops, and fostered long-lasting friendships with people worldwide.

The courses I took at Stanford were chemistry and tennis. Every morning, I would attend lectures and explore the field of chemistry. After lectures, I would have a panko chicken bowl from the Urban Eatery for lunch and enjoy the short break with my friend at STLC (Sapp Centre for Science Teaching and Learning) as we prepared for the lab in the afternoon. After the lab, depending on the day of the week, I would either go rock climbing at Stanford’s athletic centre or return to my residence and get ready for tennis practice in the evening. After practice, I would bike back to my dorm and work on the remainder of the day’s chemistry.

Life at Stanford was a busy but fulfilling balance of academics, sports, and socializing. The campus was always full of energy and motivation for learning. I enjoyed the bike rides with friends around campus, nighttime walks for ice cream, study sessions leading up to exams, and many more memorable moments that shaped my unique experience at Stanford. Each day brought new adventures, challenges, and memories, helping me grow both academically and personally, making this summer truly unforgettable.