Moving schools is a daunting endeavor most people experience at least once in their lives and the initial impressions of a new school significantly shape one’s overall transition.
As an intercultural school, JIS prides itself on having a committed student body, emphasizing acceptance and the willingness of students to help each other both in and out of the classroom. This is further emphasized in the welcoming of new seniors, ensuring that they transition smoothly into their first and final year of high school.
In the classroom, students may be assigned to work in pairs or small groups, collaborative tasks in a new environment can be nerve-inducing for most students; especially for those who are new. Limar A., a new transfer from North Jakarta Intercultural School, was no stranger to these challenges. However, when discussing these struggles, she experienced unexpected inclusivity from her classmates.
“People would come up to me in class. They were excited to work with me,” Limar claimed.
Beyond classwork, collaboration extends to all other facets of the JIS community, from the student-run boards to the various clubs. Whilst the large student body and substantial range of extracuricullars can be intimidating, Limar mentions that the expansive community encourages different hobbies and diverse interests, making it easier to find like-minded students and activities.
“It’s much more open and inviting,” said Limar.
Teachers also play a crucial role in shaping the transition for new students. Transferring schools in the middle of the two-year IB diploma program poses many difficulties on its own, such as content gaps within the two-year curriculum.
These obstacles were a source of challenges for Karam A., who moved alongside his twin sister, Limar. When recalling his initial struggles, Karam was quick to mention the attentive and supportive teacher who helped him overcome his challenges, noting that his teacher, “made [him] feel confident.”
Rory M., who moved from an international school in Johannesburg, South Africa also experienced these issues. He shared his own personal interactions, highlighting the proactivity of JIS teachers in creating individualized lesson plans and scheduling one-on-one meetings.
“They really care about you,” Rory voiced.
Aside from academics, other challenges are bound to arise, more specifically in regard to navigating a new environment. Rory highlighted his own challenges as a new resident in Jakarta, focusing on adapting to the fast-paced lifestyle and managing the notorious traffic.
“I knew that traffic was going to be bad here, but, in South Africa, I would go in between cities to go to school, and that took less time than it is taking me to get from Central Jakarta to here.”
This extended commute time leaves Rory with limited hours to balance his studies and extracurricular activities, pushing him to adopt creative alternatives like studying on the bus.
Furthermore, Limar acknowledged that the sprawling JIS campus, coupled with the sheer number of students, often overwhelms newcomers, making it difficult for them to arrive at their classes or clubs on time.
“When I first got a tour, I [thought I was] going to memorize where everything is, but I am still facing challenges.”
Yet, she qualified that the welcoming atmosphere never makes her feel hesitant to ask where certain classes may be. When other new students ask her for advice on navigating the campus, she would remind them not to be scared to ask someone,
“Everyone is so friendly [and] everyone wants to help.”
These students emphasized how the warmth and openness of the JIS community made their transition much easier than anticipated, ultimately contributing to the friendly environment that defines the JIS experience.
Rory recalled a moment when he lost his water bottle earlier in the school year. Instead of being frustrated, his new friends eagerly helped him search around the campus during their break time.
“They didn’t get fed up with me and just throw me out,” he joked, illustrating how even small acts of kindness contributed to making him feel more at home.
Likewise, Limar also found her concerns about fitting in to be unfounded, as fellow students she had previously met excitedly approached her on the first day to embrace her with hugs.
“I thought that was so lovely, and I still think that.”