Ziji Li

My name is Ziji Li, I attended ISWA from year 8 to year 11 between 2017-2021, and I am currently finishing my senior year at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. I will graduate with the class of 2022 in May and next year I plan to begin my undergraduate study at DePaul University in Chicago with a Presidential Scholarship, where I will pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television (in Honour’s Program).

I had an extremely memorable and enjoyable experience at ISWA for many different reasons. I really loved how everyone was so open-minded and were very supportive as well, by the end of my stay at ISWA, I truly believe I have formed deep friendships that will carry on into the future. I also didn’t realise how great the small environment was until I moved to a much larger school; but looking back now, I really appreciate how well the teachers understood me both as a student and as a person, and how they were always there to be supportive. I am grateful for the teachers and the learning experience that equipped me to become a strong applicant during my university search, and being in such an environment allowed me to discover my true abilities both in academics and in life. I loved the closeness shared between everyone at ISWA despite most people coming from different backgrounds; even with all the varied experiences, it still felt like we were all one big family.

I will always remember being a part of the school production, especially Grease. That was definitely one of the highlights during my time at ISWA, I had the opportunity to make new friends and showcase something I really loved doing. I will also never forget about the school camps, they were such a great experience and a wonderful chance to bond with my friends; I have many happy memories from the four trips I’ve been on.

Being in such a diverse community and knowing people from so many different backgrounds really changed the way that I interact with people for the better. Beyond the schoolyard, I learned to be more open-minded when meeting someone new; I believe that being at ISWA has led to me always having an accepting heart and mind.

On a final note, being at ISWA for 4 years really helped me to move towards my full potential. The support that I received from my teachers and peers really helped me to understand myself better and guide me moving forward in my life. The four years that I spent in Perth will always remain as one of the best times in my life, and every day I am optimistic to see what the future will bring.