Class of 2025: From Innovation to Impact - Edson heads to Tufts
Edson L is heading to Tufts University with a passion for interdisciplinary learning and a vision for creating social impact. From leading sustainability initiatives to captaining basketball tournaments, his Dulwich Pudong journey has been one of purpose, leadership and growth. Edson reflects on the people and experiences that shaped his path forward.
What do you intend to study and where, and why was this your choice?
I will be attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. My decision solidified after a campus visit in summer 2024, where I experienced Tufts’ blend of rigorous academics and collaborative spirit. The U.S. education system’s flexibility is ideal for me since I’m exploring interdisciplinary paths, potentially combining economics, international relations, or cognitive science, and Tufts encourages this intellectual curiosity through its open curriculum. What stands out is Tufts’ ‘liberal-artsy’ ethos: small class sizes and its collaborative culture. Equally compelling is its location. It is a self-contained campus nestled in a quiet suburb, yet just a short ride from downtown Boston. This offers the best of both worlds: a tight-knit community with access to world-class internships.
How did being at Dulwich Pudong prepare you for applying to university?
The school’s nurturing environment, where teachers genuinely invest in students’ success, gave me the confidence to pursue ambitious goals. My teachers not only wrote thoughtful recommendation letters but also offered personalized advice on crafting a compelling application, from essay refinement to initial view preparation. The school’s culture encourages students to create their opportunities, which led me to launch and lead several CCAs. Serving as a Wellbeing Prefect was particularly transformative because it honed my ability to collaborate and advocate for my peers. These experiences didn’t just strengthen my application; they shaped my resilience and vision for making an impact in the world.
Are there any teachers that you'd like to single out for thanks, and if so why?
I’m deeply grateful to all my teachers at Dulwich Pudong for their unwavering support and dedication to my growth, both academically and personally. I’d like to especially recognize a few mentors who went above and beyond: Ms. Hardy, my tutor in Years 7 to 8, was instrumental in helping me transition smoothly from my previous school to Dulwich. Her advice on adapting to a new environment, from making friends to managing expectations, remains relevant even today. She taught me how to thrive in unfamiliar situations. Mr. Moore, though not my subject teacher, helped me to explore my interests. His passion for business management ignited my interest in the field. Moreover, I’ll forever benefit from the leadership skills I picked up from him. Finally, Ms. Thornton, my psychology teacher, gave me plenty of support during the IB programme. Beyond the curriculum, she taught me how to balance workload pressures, collaborate effectively, and maintain resilience.
What were some of your most memorable experiences during your time at Dulwich Pudong?
One of the most memorable experiences I had at Dulwich was the Panthers’ basketball team. From nervous Year 7 trials to captaining SISAC and ACAMIS tournaments, the camaraderie, last-second wins, and even the tough losses taught me resilience and teamwork. Representing Dulwich across China remains one of my proudest experiences. But nothing compares to the Social Enterprise Club (SEC). What began as an idea became a movement: we launched campus-wide sustainability drives, from recycling food waste and produce compost to eco-conscious products. The team’s dynamic energy showed me how small actions create real change.
What are you going to miss most about Dulwich Pudong?
What I will miss the most about the Dulwich community is the students. Students at Dulwich are very intellectually passionate and at the same time, very supportive of each other. Staying around with the people here really motivates me to work harder and strive for the best. Most of all, I’ll miss the friends who became pillars of my journey. From bonding over playing table tennis in the IB common room to supporting each other through university applications, these relationships transcended the classroom. Dulwich’s culture gifted me with friendships and connections that I know will endure.
Our vision is 'Live Worldwise'. What does this mean to you and why is it important to be a 'global citizen'?
‘Live Worldwise’ is a powerful vision that means understanding and appreciating diverse cultures and perspectives. To me, ‘Live Worldwise’ means being open to new ideas and ways of living, recognizing that there is no single ‘right’ way to navigate life. I believe this idea could help me to become a ‘global citizen’ as I’m embracing different viewpoints that foster creativity, resilience, and many skills in life. It’s important to be a ‘global citizen’ because it shapes how people solve problems in today’s world. A global citizen recognizes that their choices ripple across communities worldwide. When we ‘Live Worldwise’, we stop asking ‘What’s best for me?’ and start asking ‘What’s best for us?’, whether ‘us’ means the communities around us or the planet.
Where do you imagine yourself in 30 years, and what do you think your future self might say to you now?
In 30 years, I envision myself as an entrepreneur and mentor: someone who has built businesses that solve real problems while guiding the next generation of leaders. Drawing inspiration from Jamie Dimon, who is a Tufts alumnus, I hope to have created organizations that drive both innovation and social impact. My future self might offer the advice of being patient, because the most meaningful achievements take patience and perseverance. On top of that, it’s important to learn from the failures because they’ll equip me with resilience and motivation.
