Class of 2025: From Shanghai to Stanford - Kevin’s story
For Kevin K, Dulwich Pudong has been more than just a school for the past 15 years, it has been a launchpad for growth, discovery and lifelong connection. As he prepares to travel to Stanford University in California to study physics and history, he reflects on the experiences, people and values that have shaped his path and inspired his future. Our Class of 2025 interviews will run throughout the Summer.
What do you intend to study and where, and why was this your choice?
I will be enrolling at Stanford University in the Fall, with the intention of studying a double major in physics and history. Stanford’s academic reputation in both the humanities and the sciences were a big draw to me as someone with interdisciplinary interests, while its culture of innovation and thinking boldly was an environment I have envisioned myself thriving in. Other than that, the California weather and the large Stanford campus are always perks.
How did being at Dulwich Pudong prepare you for applying to university?
Academically, Dulwich Pudong has provided me a fantastic foundation for applying to university, with the wide variety of subjects available and the small but vibrant classroom environment really allowing me to personally engage with subjects of interest. Perhaps even more importantly, Dulwich Pudong’s emphasis on the holistic development of students has allowed me to thrive as a person. Whether through swimming or playing the violin, the supportive environment at Dulwich Pudong really encouraged me to fully immerse myself in the different opportunities the school offers, making me a more confident and well-rounded individual. These experiences were not just helpful in creating a sense of character that was useful for applications, but also in allowing me to look back on my high school years with a great sense of pride, connection and accomplishment.
Are there any teachers that you'd like to single out for thanks, and if so why?
Mr. Downes (Head of History) is a teacher who has had a big impact on my time at Dulwich. In particular, the way he engaged with the class helped prompt me to become much more vocal sharing my viewpoints and ideas in discussions. His encouragement and support not only honed my critical thinking skills, but has also made me a much stronger orator. His unwavering belief in me really helped give me that push to believe that anything could be achieved with hard work and dedication. Mr. Moore (Head of Business & Economics) is another teacher I would like to thank, with the effort he put in every day to make his classes both efficient and enjoyable, while always taking the time to engage with me in discussion on any topic of my interest outside class time. I’d also like to thank Ms. Sookdew (Teacher of English) for her constant positivity and warmth, always taking the time to stop me in the hallways and check up on me.
What were some of your most memorable experiences during your time at Dulwich Pudong?
I’ve had a lot of great memories during my time at Dulwich Pudong. A few that stand out to me now: all the Challenge Weeks I’ve been on where I created many lasting memories with my peers, the excitement of my first ACAMIS swim meet back in 2019 to the bittersweet nature of my final swim meet this year, and all the rehearsals I’ve done with other talented musicians in the school as part of the orchestra for the past seven years. All the different people I’ve had the privilege of befriending along the way within these different communities here at Dulwich Pudong are among my core memories from my time here.
What are you going to miss most about Dulwich Pudong?
The thing I’ll miss most about Dulwich Pudong is the tight-knit sense of community that makes everybody here feel valued and seen. Being part of this community has been a special experience, with the genuine camaraderie that pervades every part of the campus pushing everybody to be involved and active in all the different opportunities available to us at Dulwich Pudong, allowing me to create special memories with the people here. I will definitely miss all the people who I have met along the way, not just from my year group, but from year groups all across the school that have been an integral part of my high school journey.
Our vision is 'Live Worldwise'. What does this mean to you and why is it important to be a 'global citizen'?
To me ‘Live Worldwise’ is a reminder of how lucky we are to be part of a truly international community at Dulwich Pudong, where we are able to exchange the ideas and beliefs we hold from the diverse backgrounds we are from. This vision is embodied by our graduating Class of 2025, where all of us are spread around the globe in different universities. In my opinion, being a global citizen is essential because it makes us more open-minded, thoughtful, and empathetic. These are values that we can never have too much of in the world.
