Oftentimes, when the words “boarding school” come to mind, people immediately jump to two conclusions: a reformatory school for juvenile delinquents, or rich kids dressed in their plaid skirts or coats and ties and Brad Pitt’s children arriving at school via helicopter. Today, I will be debunking these myths and sharing the inside scoop on what boarding school is really like.

通常，当想到“寄宿学校”一词时，人们会突然得出两个结论：针对青少年改造的学校，或者是穿着格子裙、外套，系着领带的富裕孩子，因为布拉德·皮特的孩子是坐直升机去学校的。今天，我将揭晓寄宿学校神秘面纱，给大家分享真正的寄宿学校。

Let me start by clearing up that boarding school is not nearly as dramatic as pictured in Hollywood films, (much to your dismay I’m sure) though it certainly is a culture of its own. The easiest way to describe boarding school is to imagine a small college, except it’s actually a high school. In the past, wealthy families would send their children to boarding schools, hoping it would help develop their character and improve their education. Nowadays, however, these schools are starting to focus more on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity, with the commonality of offering quality resources, facilities, and opportunities to driven students.

首先，需要说明，寄宿学校虽然不像好莱坞电影拍摄的那样（如果你相信电影中的那你一定会失望的）。但我敢肯定，寄宿学校确实有自身的文化特色。描述寄宿学校的最简单的词就是“高中式的小型大学”。过去，富裕的家庭会将他们的孩子送到寄宿学校，希望有助于孩子的性格培养并接受高等教育。然而，如今，这些学校开始更加关注种族，族裔和社会经济多样性，并为学生提供优质的资源，设施和机会。

My school, like most boarding schools, has a mix of day and boarding students (including international students), so some live in dorms whereas others live in their homes nearby. I am an out of state student, so this year, I lived in a dorm with around a fourth of the girls in my class. In each dorm, there are several faculty members who live in-house that essentially act as your “parents” at school and also seniors who serve as your “older sibling” figure.

与大多数寄宿学校一样，我的学校有走读和寄宿学生（包括国际学生），所以有些人住在宿舍，而另一些人走读。我是国际学生，所以今年，我和同班约四分之一女生住在一个宿舍里。在每个宿舍中，有几位教师在校内生活，这些教职员工实际上扮演着“父母”的角色，学姐则像“大姐姐”。

Although most of our dorms are single sex, our school has just implemented a non-binary, all gender housing and has been considering developing a co-ed dorm in the future with a shared common room. The most common roomings are doubles, however we do have singles and triples available with a housing lottery.

尽管我们的大多数宿舍都是男女分的，但我们的学校刚刚有了男女生混住的宿舍，并在考虑将来开发男女同住的宿舍，共同分享一个公共区域。最常见的房间是双人间，但是也有住宿抽签，学生有可能住单人间或者三人间。

Living in a dorm is super fun. We often have dorm events and meetings, so you usually begin to bond with people pretty easily, even if you consider yourself an introvert. You may be wondering if students ever experience homesickness. Homesickness does hit every once in a while, but it helps a lot to know that you have all your friends with you. Also, you can always give your family a call. Oh, and I forgot to mention--many advisors living in dorms have pets that they let you play with, so heads up if you happen to be an animal lover!

住在宿舍里真是太有趣了。我们经常举行宿舍活动和开小会，所以即使学生自认为是内向的，通常也很容易与人建立联系。可能很多人都想知道学生是否想家。确实每隔一段时间就会想家，但是通过了解你所有的朋友可以缓解想家的难过。此外，学生随时可以给家人打个电话。哦，我忘了提-住在宿舍的许多教职工都会养宠物，学生可以和宠物一起玩，所以如果碰巧是动物爱好者，可以重点关注一下！

Here’s a rough approximation of my daily activities on weekdays and weekends at school.    

以下是我在上课时间和周末在学校的日常活动。

Boarding school can be an incredible experience, but how do you know if it’s for you? There are many factors to consider when applying for boarding school--which may include but are not limited to--Are you responsible and mature enough to be living alone? Do you get homesick easily? Can you handle being in a competitive environment with rigorous[1] academics? Why do you want to go to boarding school?

寄宿学校是一次会让你难忘终生的经历，但是如何知道自己是否适合寄宿学校呢？在申请寄宿学校时，需要考虑很多因素-学生是否有足够的责任心和足够成熟的能力独自生活？学生很容易想家吗？可以在严谨的学术环境中应对竞争吗？为什么要去寄宿学校？

Deciding to attend boarding school is a very large commitment. Although financial aid is offered to those in need of it in most schools, tuition is often very costly, not to mention the frequent plane rides for students who live far away. But there’s no need to be scared.

决定上寄宿学校是一项很大的计划。尽管大多数学校都向有需要的人提供经济援助，但学费往往非常昂贵，此外，还有国际学生的机票费用。但是，不必过分担心。

Going to boarding school is very special and exciting. It not only helps you grow academically, but also as an individual. My biggest tips? Choose a school that’s right for you (not your mom, not your friend, not your dog) and make the most out of your time there. Don’t hold yourself back! Put yourself out there and be willing to try new things (maybe you will develop a new passion)!

在寄宿学校上学是一个非常特别，令人兴奋的经历。不仅可以帮助学生在学术上成长，而且对于学生自身的成长也是非常见效的。我最大的秘诀就是选择一所适合自己的学校（不是适合妈妈，朋友，更不是适合宠物的学校），并充分利用在那里的时间。不要让自己退缩！积极主动地让自己走出自己的渺小世界，去尝试新事物！（会让你产生新的热情）

Also, remember that you will make mistakes and use those instances to reflect and learn. I’m sure that you will have a great time, and if you don’t, you always have the option to transfer out (but you probably won’t want to!).

另外，请记住，人会犯错误，但是要从中进行反思和学习，吃一堑，长一智。我相信你会度过愉快的时光，如果不愉快的话，也可以选择转校。（但你可能不想！）

Cranbrook Schools云访谈

加拿大高中|阿什伯里学院Ashbury College

加拿大高中|温哥华圣乔治学院St. George’s School Vancouver

加拿大高中|爱普比学院Appleby College

加拿大寄宿|海格福尔学院Havergal College

关于合领国际教育

合领教育拥有顶尖的师资力量，从顾问到学术导师有着15年以上的带领学生在美求学的成功经验。专注为申请美国高中及美国本科的学生提供高端的个性化多对一升学辅导。我们会凭借对学生全方位评估和家庭需求的深入分析，在关注个性化成长的同时，陪伴并帮助他们在申请中艺术性地真实地展现自我、脱颖而出，进入最适合的学校生活成长、成为未来最好的自己。