Life has taken Nancy across continents long before she arrived at BCIS.
From a public school in Australia, to an international school in Brazil, and later to a school in China, her childhood was shaped by constant change. Moving between countries, cultures, and classrooms taught her how to embrace the unfamiliar, appreciate different perspectives, and repeatedly find her place in new environments.
So when she joined BCIS in Grade 9, it seemed like another familiar beginning: a new campus, new classmates, and another period of adjustment. But this time, something was different. What began as another transition soon became a journey of deeper personal growth.
Starting at a new school is never easy.
"I remember worrying that I might feel lonely again," Nancy recalls. After moving schools several times, that uncertainty had become almost instinctive.
Yet what helped her settle in wasn't a single defining moment. It was the small, consistent interactions that became part of everyday life.
"Every morning, teachers greeted us at the classroom door. Between classes, they would stop in the hallway and ask how I was settling in. It wasn't something dramatic, it just felt genuine."
Especially during her first few weeks, those simple gestures made a lasting impression.
"It made me feel seen."
Looking back, Nancy says she first sensed something special during her admissions visit. "After talking with the teachers, I felt like BCIS was a big family. People genuinely cared about one another."
Once she became part of the community, that first impression proved true day after day. For the first time after changing schools, she felt she truly belonged.
That sense of belonging also changed the way she approached learning.
Before BCIS, Nancy describes herself as someone who consistently achieved good grades but rarely felt challenged.
"I was used to doing well, but I wasn't really pushing myself."
Within her first month, she noticed a different atmosphere.
"Everyone around me had their own goals, and people genuinely supported one another. You wanted to keep growing together."
For the first time, she no longer felt like she had already reached the top.
"I realized there was so much more I could improve."
Whether it was struggling through a challenging maths lesson or being asked to produce deeper literary analysis in English, the challenges no longer felt discouraging.
"They weren't obstacles—they were opportunities to become better."
Supported by teachers while being encouraged to aim higher, Nancy gradually redefined what challenge meant. Rather than something to avoid, it became an essential part of growth.
As she settled into the community, BCIS became more than a place where she felt comfortable—it became a place where she found opportunities to step forward.
At the beginning of the 2025–26 school year, Nancy hosted the school's Foundation Day celebration for the first time.
"I was definitely nervous," she laughs. "But when opportunities come, I always think, 'Why not give it a try?'"
That first experience led to many others.
She went on to host the Ginkgo Film Festival, served as MC for BCIS IDOL, and later represented students at the Creating Our Future Education Forum, where she shared the stage with school leaders, AI experts, and education scholars to discuss the future of learning.
Each opportunity expanded her confidence. "It made me realize I was slowly becoming a different version of myself."
That same transformation extended into her learning.
Nancy credits the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with giving her greater ownership over her education.
One of her most memorable projects was writing a short story exploring the impact of social media on society. Combining literary creativity with independent research, the project challenged her to think critically not only about the topic itself, but about what truly mattered to her.
"I studied at another IB school before, but teachers guided much more of the process. At BCIS, I have much more freedom to decide what I want to explore."
Whether choosing essay topics in Individuals & Societies or pursuing creative projects in Music or Physical Education, she discovered that learning had become something much more personal.
"It isn't just about learning knowledge anymore, but more about discovering who you are."
Reflecting on the past year and a half, she summarizes her growth simply: "I'm more outgoing, more confident, and much more motivated."
Those changes didn't happen overnight. They came from being encouraged to speak up, trusted to make decisions, and surrounded by classmates who inspired one another every day.
"BCIS gives students so many opportunities, and our opinions really matter. When you see everyone around you trying new things and growing, it naturally motivates you to do the same."
As her confidence grew, Nancy began thinking beyond her own development.
Inspired by the atmosphere at the ACAMIS Basketball Tournament, she and several classmates proposed creating BCIS's first cheerleading team—bringing together sport, creativity, and school spirit while giving more students opportunities to participate and express themselves.
She has also just begun writing and hosting a student podcast focused on academic wellbeing and life balance, hoping to create conversations that help fellow students navigate the challenges of adolescence.
"At BCIS, ideas don't just stay ideas because people genuinely support you in making them happen."
Moving from expressing herself to creating opportunities for others has become one of the most meaningful parts of her journey.
Looking back, she realizes her mindset has changed just as much as her achievements.
"I used to be someone who simply followed the path in front of me. Now I know there are bigger goals worth pursuing, and I want to challenge myself to reach them."
Throughout that journey, BCIS's values, encouraging an experience of Challenge, Empowerment, Inspiration, and Compassion have never simply been words on a wall. They have been experiences woven into daily school life, gradually shaping how she understands herself and the world around her.
Today, Nancy has discovered a new aspiration: to study psychology and help others. She captures that ambition in one simple sentence: "Make an impact, and empower others."
"Just as BCIS has empowered us, I hope I can create that same sense of connection and support for someone else."
Nancy's story is not simply about academic success or leadership opportunities.
It is the story of a student who spent years adapting to new environments, and who finally found a community where she could truly belong—one that challenged her, believed in her, and gave her the confidence to grow beyond what she thought possible.
At BCIS, every student's journey looks different. Their starting points, strengths, and aspirations may vary, but each is supported, respected, and encouraged to discover their own path.
Because every student has their own light—and at BCIS, they are given every opportunity to let it shine.