Going to Boarding School

A Journey of Growth, Challenges, and Discovery

High school—the place where one’s character is built, shaped, tested, and discovered. My high school experience was, and still is, an interesting time. It was one of the most fun yet challenging and impactful periods of my life, shaping me into the person I am today. This may be a bit of a long read, but I promise it’s a fun one!

As mentioned in my previous blogs, I attended Amano Christian School in Chingola, Zambia, from 8th to 12th grade. High school was a unique experience for me because my grandmother worked at the school as a ‘dorm parent’ or ‘dorm mom.’ This was both a good and a bad thing. I lived in the dormitory, and my grandmother’s apartment was right there as well—so it was like a home away from home, yet still at home. Complicated, I know, but stay with me on this one!

I started school halfway through the term, which was an odd experience. I had missed part of the curriculum and had to adjust to an already established culture and routine. My classmates had already adapted to the learning styles, accents, and teaching methods, all of which were new and different for me. Amano is an international school with students, teachers, and staff from all over the world, making it an incredibly diverse and eye-opening experience.

Living in a dormitory and having a roommate—who was from a completely different background, often spoke a different language, and had an upbringing different from mine—was a major growth experience. As a teenager with my own character and personality, I quickly learned that we wouldn’t always get along. There were times when I wanted to take a nap after a long day of classes, but my roommate decided it was the perfect time to invite friends over for a chat. Or I preferred a tidy room while my roommate couldn’t care less. These small conflicts often caused tension, but they also helped me grow as a person. I learned to live with and understand people who were different from me, which is a lesson that has stayed with me.

Amano Christian School offered a broad range of sports and activities that excited me. I got to discover things I enjoyed and even tried things I never thought I would. I found that I loved track and field, as well as netball, and that I excelled when I put my mind to it. Funny enough (a story for another day), I quickly realized during my first cross-country run that long-distance running was not for me! But with effort and a shift in mindset, I became halfway decent at it.

The school also had a choir and music team that I joined, and this experience deepened my love for music. I discovered my passion for singing, something that has stayed with me throughout my life.

Of course, high school wasn’t just about academics and extracurriculars—I made a lot of mistakes along the way. I wasn’t always perfect, and I didn’t always get it right. But through it all, I found myself, and I continue to learn and grow. I’m grateful for the friends and mentors who shared a part of their lives with me. Lifelong friendships, family, and incredible mentors like Wami, Olivia, Diana, the Cracknell family, the Groves, the Kirks, and the Furnishes all played a role in shaping my journey. Each of them, in one way or another, taught me something about life and helped me grow in my relationship with God. Many others impacted my life as well, even if I haven’t mentioned them here.

Amano was truly a place of learning, discovery, and growth, shaping a part of who I am today.

I hope you all enjoyed this week’s blog post! Remember, life is about those little moments that remind you just how much you have to be grateful for.

Love,

Tina