When Anna joined YCIS Shanghai in Year 2, she was a quiet girl who tended to stay at the back of the class, more comfortable listening than speaking. 

When teachers asked questions, her eyes would flicker — she knew the answer, but never quite dared to raise her hand. 

"I was always scared of making mistakes," Anna recalls. "I didn’t really dare to speak English, and I wasn’t confident expressing myself in front of others." 

Her Year 8 Humanities teacher, Mr Jed Friedman, remembers that version of her too. 

"The first time I met Anna, she was quiet, polite, but a little withdrawn. Yet even then, you could tell there was something special about her — she was watching, trying, quietly gathering courage."

The Day She First Took the Stage 

The turning point came in Year 9, when Anna took part in the Capstone Project — a chance to research a topic of personal interest, present her ideas, and stand in front of an audience for the first time. 

"I still remember my palms were sweating," she laughs. "But I told myself, if I don’t try, I'll never know if I can do it."

Her project, Unity is Strength, explored the idea of "intangibility" through tie-dye art inspired by elements of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

She had to interview, organise, present, and lead — each step pushing her beyond her comfort zone. 

"I began to realise I could do more than I thought,” she says. 

"After that, I wasn't scared of speaking anymore — I started to enjoy being heard."

Her project has since been displayed in the school corridor as an exemplar and inspiration for all Year 9 students — for Anna, it wasn't just a piece of work, but the first time she truly saw her own effort being recognised. 

“I Wanted to Be More Proactive” 

From that moment, Anna's growth never stopped. 

“I was inspired by my classmates’ achievements," she says. “Seeing them work hard made me want to try new things too." 

That motivation to improve pushed her to seek out new opportunities. 

She joined the Lili Time Sign Language Club, volunteered with Hope Beans, and took part in the Digital Bridge Initiative, where she helped collect unused computers on campus to build an IT classroom for a rural school in China.

"Through the Sign Language Club, I realised that the feeling of being 'heard' shouldn't just belong to me. 

And through the Digital Bridge project, I saw that even small actions can make a real difference to others."

These experiences taught her to listen, to empathise, and to see the world through other people's eyes. 

Anna also joined the Train the Youths Trainers Programme (TYT) — a cross-campus project connecting YCIS and YWIES students across regions. 

"In TYT, I met students from Tongxiang and Lingang. We discussed, learned, and supported each other — it was the first time I truly felt connected to a bigger community beyond my own campus."

She reflects thoughtfully: "Focusing only on academic learning is helpful, but it doesn't teach us about the world outside our own community. When we graduate from high school or university, we'll enter society and interact with all kinds of people. We can't always stay in our comfort zone. Meeting different people and trying new things builds a stronger foundation for the future — and it also teaches empathy. I think many of the world's problems come from a lack of understanding and empathy. If more people could see others with compassion, the world would be a healthier and more peaceful place."

From "me" to "us" — and then to "them" — Anna's world has gradually opened with every step she's taken beyond her comfort zone. 

Confidence Begins with the Courage to Ask 

Language became another key to her transformation. 

At the beginning, Anna was hesitant to answer questions in English. 

"I was afraid of saying the wrong thing," she says. "I thought people might laugh at me, so I often chose not to speak."

Over time, she realised that language isn't a barrier — it's a bridge. 

Encouraged by her teachers, she started asking questions, sharing her opinions, and expressing her ideas. 

"YCIS’s English immersion environment significantly improved my English skills," she explains. 

"Since most teachers around me are native English speakers, I was consistently pushed to actively communicate in a language I lacked confidence in.

This daily practice not only enhanced my fluency but also built my courage to engage in deeper academic discussions." 

By secondary school, her English had become not only fluent but thoughtful. She learned to seek feedback actively. 

"I used to worry that my questions were too simple," she smiles. "Now I just go and ask — like, 'Can I try again?'"

The Answer After Ten Years 

Looking back on her ten years at YCIS Shanghai, Anna smiles. 

"YCIS has helped me grow from a child afraid of making mistakes into someone who's willing to try, to speak, and to take responsibility." 

Her story is a gentle reflection of what YCIS believes in: 

confidence built through encouragement, 

curiosity shaped by opportunity, 

and growth nurtured through trust. 

"I want to tell students who might be shy like I was," Anna says, 

"you don’t have to become brave overnight. 

But if you take one small step forward, the world will take a step towards you too.”