Have you ever wondered how different the BASIS International schools in China are from the BASIS Independent schools in the US? Well, today is your lucky day! In this article, I interviewed four transfer students from BASIS Guangzhou. Are we more different from them or more similar? Continue reading to find out!

Before we get into the big differences between the BASIS International School Guangzhou and BISV, we need to first take a step back to understand why these students chose to move and what they did to prepare for it. This allows us to understand their story and also provides some crucial background context.

Part I: Before the Move

Reasons for Moving to BASIS Independent in the US

When interviewing the students, three out of the four students said the main reason for the move was that their parents wanted them to have access to a more balanced life, or in other words, “a less exam-focused education” to “explore interests outside of academics” (Student 2, Student 4). The remaining student said they moved because of her dad’s job, but her family also thought that the American education system and college would be good for her to experience (Student 3). Overall, from these responses, we can conclude that one of the main driving forces for the move was the interest in the American education system and the unique experience of college.

Preparing for the Move

There were two main components when they were preparing for the move. The first part consisted of saying goodbyes to their friends and family. In particular, one student had to transition to living with a host family in the US, which was hard for her because she had never been away from her family for that long. Most of the students felt nervous and worried about leaving an environment they were used to. The second part included taking practical actions like taking English classes, learning about American culture, and exploring the area and school courses to better prepare them for the American school environment.

Part 2: The Adjustment

First Impressions

Many elements of the American school system surprised the transfer students. Multiple students commented that the teachers and students were super welcoming, friendly, and approachable. One student was even surprised by the fact that everyone used first names here, saying that the practice was new to her. On top of that, the advanced technology amazed them, with one student commenting “it felt like a different world compared to my small school in the village” (Student 2). Indeed, BISV is at the heart of Silicon Valley, a place that embodies the root of technological advancement. Moreover, many students commented on how the campus was larger and more open, and how the students here had more freedom compared to the BASIS Guangzhou International School. However, one student’s answer surprised me when she commented on the diversity here, saying that it was less diverse here than at BASIS International School  Guangzhou. She felt like she “miss[ed] the international environment and the global perspective [she] had at [her] old school” and was “missing out on being part of a more globally-minded community” (Student 3).

Initial Challenges

There were many challenges that the transfer students dealt with when they arrived. First, the language barrier was an issue. One student commented on our slang and said it was hard to understand. The classes were more discussion-based, making it hard for the student to fully express herself in English. Another student said she was really shy, which made making friends a bit tougher for her. The newfound free time compared to the rigid schedule they had in China also prompted a new challenge of time management and prioritization. Lastly, homesickness left the students longing for their family and friends back home, as they missed the tight-knit circle and community they had built.

Part 3: The Main Differences

Typical Day at a BASIS International School in China vs BASIS Independent in the US

When asked about what a typical day in their life looked like in a BASIS International school in China, the four students all answered along the same structure of starting school at around 7:30 or 8:00 am. One student mentioned that she also had some self-study time before class, which may be parallel to our Early Bird program. They, then, have a full day of classes with core subjects from the international curriculum like math, science, and English, along with Chinese Language classes. Since the schools follow the BINS curriculum, they follow a similar structure to the many AP and Honors classes BISV offers. After school, the students participate in  a diverse array of activities, ranging from sports to music to studying to clubs and even to helping out their grandparents with farm work. Many of these clubs and sports are identical to the ones here in the US, like debate, Model UN, basketball, and volleyball. Taking these factors into consideration, we can see that the school experience in BASIS International School in China and BISV are relatively similar, as the main components of a student’s day consist of school and extracurriculars. Many students’ days in their life at school were almost identical. However, the one element that the students all add to their day in America is calling their friends and family at night.

Cultural Differences

While the school day differences don’t seem to be significant, the cultural differences were quite the opposite. In the US, “students were encouraged to speak up and question teachers,” while “in China, we’re taught to be respectful and listen” (Student 1). Additionally, the student also added that in China, “there was also a lot less pressure on getting perfect grades” (Student 1). Student 2 expanded by saying: “I noticed that [in the US], everyone is more focused on individuality. In China, we think more about the group, but here it’s all about what you personally want to achieve. Also, the school day is much less structured, and there’s a lot more freedom” (Student 2). Student 3 noted how there’s more attention put towards sports and extracurricular achievements than in China. Lastly, Student 4 finished off by saying how BISV talked about mental health and well-being, which wasn’t really talked about at her old school. All these students made great points about the cultural differences of individuality and freedom between the school culture in China compared to the US, giving various points of interest and deep insight towards this topic.

Part 4: Afterthoughts

Positives

As the students settle into their newfound life, they’ve experienced many positive memories here. From making new friends around the world to accessing new technology and resources, they thrived in this new environment. Moving to America allowed one student to have more free time, allowing him to discover his passion for photography, and another to improve her English a lot. One student also stated how great of a support system she has around here, which made her feel safe and welcomed into this new atmosphere.

Regrets

While there are many positives to this transition, there are inevitably regrets as well. Some students expressed how the transition from a rigid and structured learning environment to a more flexible and self-structured one made it hard for them to focus. Additionally, a big part of regrets was missing old friends and family. The time difference and busy schedules make it hard for them to connect with their old close-knit friends, leaving them with a lingering feeling of emptiness and sadness.

All in all, I must thank these students for taking the time to go through this process with me. They’ve given lots of insights into the most noticeable differences (and similarities) between these two BASIS Curriculum programs. While the curriculum may be the same, the degree of freedom varied as they felt that the American school system emphasized extracurriculars more compared to the hard-core, academically-focused, rigid environment in China. One student commented on how it is a learning journey of finding ways to balance independence with responsibility. It is a new door that they opened and walked through, and I wish them the best of luck in their new adventure here!