伴随着申请季的来临，很多英、美院校又迎来了一年一度的全球巡回见面会，一来达到对外宣传的目的，二来借此机会吸引合格的候选人。我的母校，泰伯学院——一所坐落于美国麻省的私立寄宿制高中，也不例外。泰伯学院的国际学生部总监——Downes先生和Conway女士，于2013年11月初亲临香港，为有意报读泰伯的学生进行面试。作为泰伯学院驻华代表，我也陪同他们二位在亚洲的金融中心度过了短暂但收获满满的几日。

对我而言，此行的意义除了面试，更是我们2003届校友毕业10年后的一次相聚。利用这次难得的机会，我们动员了所有在港的国际生校友，与两位国际学生部总监一起，在美丽的香港天际线下举办了一场亲密的叙旧晚宴。 尽管听来好似老套，但时光真的如梭般飞逝。我们从初入泰伯的青涩少年，蜕变为成熟的专业人士，在各行各业绽放光芒。从年轻有为的企业家到经验丰富的金融家，从广受欢迎的唱作人到创意餐馆经营者，等等。虽已分开十载，美好的泰伯岁月却是我们共同的回忆，将分隔异地的我们紧紧相连。我们回忆起在泰伯的那些年，一起用功学习、放声大笑、努力奋斗、经历失败、积极改变、创造成功。我们都还清楚记得泰伯的老师们，给予我们百分百的信任的同时又不断提出质疑，督促我们精益求精。我们细数着一起玩过的游戏、出版过的文章、唱过的歌、画过的画、发表过的演讲，还有无数的泰伯点滴。整个晚宴持续了3个多小时，所有人都沉浸在美好难忘的泰伯记忆里，不愿离去。 在晚宴即将结束之际，就中国孩子赴海外求学趋势，尤其是近年来中国留学生呈现指数级增长这一现象，Downes先生征询了我们的意见。 “孩子们需要为日益全球化的未来做好准备”，一名家长立刻回答道。 “因为我们这些家长不希望孩子只是考试机器，他们应该具备国际化的视野与技能。遗憾的是，孩子们无法从目前的中国教育中获得这些”，另一名家长马上补充道。 问题来了，海外教育——或者更具体地说——泰伯的教育是如何让孩子获得全球化的思维体系和实践性的知识储备的？ “通过一系列学科外的课外活动。” “老师们都非常乐于帮助我们，无论是在课堂上还是在田径场上，无论是在音乐厅、美术工作室，还是在宿舍管理员自己的房间里……” “多样化的学生团体使得学生们都能以开放包容的心态对待不同文化间的差异。” 所有的校友一边回忆着自己的泰伯岁月，一边积极参与问题的回答，而这个问题的答案列表似乎永无止境。 Downes先生紧接着说“泰伯的学生——或者笼统地说——美国的学生学会理解自己作为一个个体所存在的意义和做出的贡献。” 诚然，只有使学生们意识到自己的重要性，才能真正激发他们的积极性去认真学习、去发展成长、去做出贡献、去回报社会。只有当学生们明白自己的一言一行会产生影响，他们才能成为负责任的领袖。只有鼓励学生们带着明辨性思维去思考、开放的心态去交流，他们才能高效地解决问题、做出决策。 一个优秀的教育体系应该关注对个体潜力、优势、劣势、价值的开发与理解。在这样的教育体系下成长起来的孩子具备敏锐的自我意识——对于自我价值，他们知其所以然，并以行动证明。 正是这样的内在信念造就了今天的我，也正是这样的教育理念让所有的国际生校友得以成就今天的成绩。这些便是我的中学——泰伯，和之后我的大学——普林斯顿教会我的事，而我誓要通过融尚私塾的平台将这一教育理念得以传承。 Nini | 融尚私塾首席顾问 | 010 6410 0633 | shanglearning.com ------------- As the admissions season draws upon us, many schools from the US and the UK are making their annual trip around the world in order to promote awareness and attract qualified candidates. My alma mater in Massachusetts U.S., a private boarding high school called Tabor Academy, is no exception. Both International Students directors, Mr. Downes and Mrs. Conway, arrived in Hong Kong to conduct interviews with interested students last week, and as the school’s China Representative, I also accompanied them during this short overlay in Asia’s financial powerhouse. For me, this trip was more than just interviews. It also marked the tenth year reunion for all of us who graduated in the year 2003. Given this special occasion, an alumni gathering is in due course, so we mobilized all the International alumni in the city for an intimate catch-up dinner with both directors under the beautiful Hong Kong skyline. As cliché as it may sound, time truly flew by. All of us fledglings have blossomed into mature professionals in varies industries – successful entrepreneur, experienced financier, popular singer and songwriter, innovative restaurateur, etc. Despite years of being apart, we are still closely connected by our shared fond memories of Tabor – we reminisced the good old days when we learned, laughed, struggled, failed, changed, succeeded at school; we remembered teachers who believed in and challenged us; we recalled the games we played, articles we published, songs we performed, paintings we created, speeches we delivered, and much more. The dinner lasted for more than three hours, and none of us wanted the night to end. Towards the end of our gathering, Mr. Downes asked for our thoughts on the trend of overseas education – in particular, why is there an exponentially increasing number of Chinese students studying abroad? “Students need to be prepared for the globalized future.” One parent answered immediately. “Because parents like us want our child to be more than just a test machine, but one with an international outlook and skillsets. Unfortunately, these can’t be learned in China.” Another parent quickly added. Then the question becomes, what is it about the education abroad, or more specifically, at Tabor that equipped students with such worldly mindset and knowledge? “A variety of activities beyond academics.” “Extremely helpful teachers who not only guided us in classrooms but also out in the track field, in the music hall, at the art studio, inside their dorm parent house…” “A diverse student body that’s open and accepting to cultural differences.” All the alumni participated with enthusiasm and nostalgia, and there seemed to be a never-ending list of answers. Then Mr. Downes said, “Students at Tabor, and in the States in general, learn to understand that they truly matter as individuals.” Indeed. It is only when students realize they matter, would they be intrinsically motivated to learn, to grow, to contribute, to give back. It is only when students understand their words and actions could make a difference, would they turn into responsible leaders. It is only when students are encouraged to think critically and communicate openly, would they become effective problem solvers and decision makers. An education system that focuses on discovering and understanding one’s own potentials, strengths, weaknesses, and values as an individual is a system well done. Students under such system develop an acute sense of self-awareness – they understand why they matter, and act accordingly. This is the underlying belief that shaped me, and all other International alumni, into who we are today. This is the belief that Tabor, and later on, Princeton has passed onto me. This is the belief that I now vow to pass on through Shang Learning.