“Taking Risks and Having Fun Made Me Who I Am Today”

You’ll like Carolina Liu the moment you meet her. Reminiscent of a K-pop teen idol, I was instantly charmed by her energy and easy smile. At 17-years-old, she has all the optimistic zest of youth, and yet, at the same time, she imparts pearls of wisdom such as: “It’s the process, not the end goal, that truly matters.” And, “Stay organized with small deadlines for each project.” Yet, perhaps the motto she tries to live by the most at this point in her life is the simple but poignant, “Have fun.”

Liu is one of the fresh graduates who will be speaking at the upcoming Jingkids International Education Graduate Summit to share their insights into a successful high school career, from an insider’s perspective.

After receiving offers from Western University, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, just to name a few, Liu decided to begin the next chapter of her life at New York University (NYU) in their Liberal Studies program. It’s not hard to see why she received so many offers, what with her 4.25 GPA (the maximum is 4.6) and bursting list of extracurricular activities: She was the President of the Student Council, a central defender on the soccer team, involved in every drama club production except one, initiated the student dance troop Karma, and co-founded the Child’s Mind Institute Club to raise awareness for youth mental health issues. However, her crowning achievement was organizing the Dance Xchange competition which saw 14 dance troops across Beijing perform and compete against one another. That was her baby – she designed all publicity and merchandise for the event, put together a panel of well-credentialed judges, and even solicited sponsorships to get shirts made. The proceeds were donated to iCare, an educational support organization for autistic children.

“I believe that if something is challenging, the result will be glorious,” says Liu. “Hear me out. In the process of hosting a dance competition with no teacher guidance, I felt stuck more often than not. Everything was based on instinct and logic so it felt right but also, it didn’t. My collaboration with my teammates, the school, and third-party vendors was very rough. But on opening night, as I watched the audience roll in and cheer when the lights dimmed, it was all worth it because I knew they were excited about something I had created with passion and love.”

Born in Canada, Liu’s family moved to Beijing when she was just 2, and she started nursery at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB), where she spent the next 15 years growing up. As a result, she’s practically a daughter to the long-time teachers and staff there. While the community around her has remained unflagging in their support, she is ready to move on and have a fresh start, with no labels attached to her identity.

“I wear so many hats around the school and I’ve been here so long that sometimes, strangers just come up to me with full knowledge of who I am,” explains Liu. “I am excited to go to a new place and discover what others might see in me, and what I might see in myself. It’s a process of self-actualization.”

While Liu’s passion for the stage might suggest that she’s inclined to a career in the performing arts, her ultimate goal is to become an educator. “I was a teacher’s assistant at a summer camp for four years in a row, I really like being with the kids and was fascinated with their process of learning,” she explains. After her first two years at NYU, she hopes to join the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development to further her studies in education. “After that, I don’t want to pursue my master’s right away. I believe that true education is a combination of knowledge and experience. So I will probably find a job first.”

She also won’t be giving up on her hobbies any time soon. “I’ve already reached out to the dance team at NYU and I’m getting involved with their next project this year, virtually, before I even enroll in January!” She has also made plans to get involved – in some way or another – beyond the school, to make the most of living in New York City.

If Liu appears to be a self-starter and risk-taker, that’s because she is. “In my high school years, taking risks was what allowed me to create some of the most pivotal memories I have. All because I dared to try something new.” It seems a perfect fit then, that Liu will be speaking on the topic of “Practicing IB Learner Profiles: Being a Risk-Taker,” at the Summit later this month.

Her parting words to current high-schoolers are to “Have fun! It’s our last chance where you’re old enough to really enjoy, but young enough not to be burdened with, the responsibilities of adulthood like bills and politics. Those things will come later.”

Hear Carolina Liu speak live on Jun 20 at the Jingkids International Education Graduate Summit. If you can’t attend the event in person, catch the live-stream on our sister platform 菁kids’ WeChat Video Channel.

To attend the event, please scan the QR code in the poster below.

Images: Courtesy of Carolina Liu