Bittersweet Farewell - Reflecting on School Memories

In 2020, I began my first year as an OIS student. The middle of the pandemic and thousands of kilometres from the city that I now recognise as my home, I shakily opened my iPad and met my teacher and my classmates with whom I would grow over the next 5 years. I shouldn’t say that I recognised the strong sense of community just then; it was online learning after all, I was settling into a new school, and making friends was difficult. However, gradually, I learnt to love my school. I met friends and teachers who welcomed me and the comforting learning environment made development easy. After all these years, finally departing feels like I am losing a part of myself.

My school gave me the strength I needed to branch out. I tried my first MUN conference, I participated in leadership roles, things that without the the school environment provided, I may never have been brave enough to try out. I played football and represented my school in tournaments where we triumphed and others where we lost.

However, through it all, I have never had a moment where I haven’t been proud to wear my school colours. While OIS helped me grow as an individual, it also helped me develop academically. OIS taught me to socialise as well - some of the closest relationships that I have ever had have been developed over my time at the school. The friends that I made over my 5 years at the school helped make learning exciting and every single day lively - we were never shy of action. My teachers have helped guide me while coming up with interactive lesson plans that catered to our needs. I truly believe that the learning environment at OIS is unmatched, it has been incredible to witness the efforts that teachers have made to make sometimes unenthusiastic students participate.

As I prepare to depart, I carry with me more than just knowledge; I carry the OIS spirit and the memories that I have made with my friends and teachers. I will miss everyone with whom I faced challenges, while celebrating the times we triumphed. This chapter may have come to an end, but our stories are only just beginning. To my friends, I thank you for sticking with me when I needed it most, and to my teachers thank you for teaching me that there is more to life than just academics. 

Although I am concluding my time at OIS, the values it taught me will stick with me wherever I go. I loved my time here, however, I am ready to take on a new challenge. I can’t wait to see how next year goes in my new school, but one thing I am sure of is that I won’t forget OIS. My time at OIS will always be a part of who I am, and as I move forward into the next chapter, I do so with gratitude, excitement, and the memories that will stay with me forever.