Many people, even some of my friends, don't realize that I spent three years (8th-10th grade) at an international school. I lived in Hong Kong, before it became part of China and was still a British Territory from 1995-1998. I was educated at a school founded by Americans, with a very similar grading system and social/athletic life... however, my teachers were from around the world.I don't talk about Hong Kong very much... mainly because it still seems like a dream to me. It was so surreal. To spend the most difficult years of my teenage life in a foreign country was peculiar, terrifying and most importantly - amazing.
Getting back to my purpose for this post, my education in Hong Kong was superb. My world revolved around my school, Hong Kong International School. My teachers were phenomenal... they came from China, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and even South Africa (to name a few). I was exposed to so much more than classes, clubs and sports -- which was unfortunately the only exposure I received when I returned to the U.S. to attend a highly renown, private school.
I'm not going to argue that one country has a better education system than another... because I simply don't know that. I can argue that I got the most out of school when I experienced a "melting pot" of cultures. I believe I became a better critical thinker, problem solver and listener while I attended HKIS. Virtues I probably wouldn't have otherwise been able to cultivate.
Bottom line, my education in 1995-1998 better prepared me for college than my education from 1998 to graduation in 2000. Without those precious three years in HK, I wouldn't have been as successful in college... and I wouldn't be in the position that I love here at Dittoe PR.
Every day I interact with international journalists and companies -- all from the confines of my desk in Indianapolis, Indiana. I'm positive these interactions wouldn't be as interesting or productive had I not experienced ex-patriot life.
