XLIS Boarding Life | More than living on campus

When speaking of school boarding facilities, we often think of the traditional school boarding type: parents choosing to have their children stay at school because they are either too busy, or their families reside far away. We also tend to visualize multiple students sharing small living quarters, studying in rather crowded conditions, and staff that can only provide the students’ with very basic living services.

However, at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School, our boarding program provides students with a full range of personalized services, including social and emotional support, academic tutoring, community events, and college planning. The dormitory management team is staffed by professional international educators who manage all aspects of student development, including living, parenting, academic and psychological counseling, and after school activities.

Our program has always been focused on “student-centered & community-driven” approaches promoting wholistic-education, personalized care, and added guidance for students. Students are given opportunities to learn with their peers, live in a diverse community among other international students and faculty, while growing and preparing for a smooth transition toward their future university life.

Boarding Student Interview: XLIS boarding provides me with “a soft landing”

What does a day at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School’s boarding program looks like? (XLIS) How do the students feel about it? We interviewed Jingxuan, an MYP3 student, who shares a glimpse into her real-life experience as a boarding student.

XLIS：How long have you been part of the XLIS boarding school?

JX：I am a new student and joined XLIS in August 2022. It has now been nearly eight months.

XLIS：What does your after-school time look like?
JX：Every Monday and Wednesday after school, I attend dormitory after-school classes in art and math, and sometimes I have basketball training; Every Tuesday and Thursday, I attend Extra Curriculum Activities (ECA), and chose playing tennis this semester. After dinner, boarding students will have an evening study hall together in the dormitory. The supervising teachers will be there to help us with any questions or problems. After studying, we can stay in the student lounge or go back to the rooms to rest. I usually chat and read books with my friends. Before lights out, as an MYP student, I need to turn in my electronic devices. I hand them to our dormitory supervisors before sleeping.

XLIS：How have you been so far?
JX：My boarding life has been great so far, especially in the mornings as we can get up much later than our non-boarding classmates! Moreover, there are many other students living and studying with me in the dorm so I can make a lot of new friends in a short time even as a new student. The school facilities are also very convenient, I can go to the swimming pool, the gym, and the basketball court to exercise in my free time, and sometimes I can also go to the library and read books.

XLIS：How are your studies going?
JX：The group study evenings are very efficient for my studies, and when you have any questions, you can ask the teachers or the other students for help. Every night, we have supporting teachers from different subjects that come over and support us in the study rooms. The dormitory after-school program has helped me a lot in my studies and enriched my academic life.

XLIS：How do you get along with the dormitory teachers and students?
JX：The teachers in the dormitory are like our friends, they care about us very much and we are all together like one big family. We can chat, watch movies, play board games, and share food together. They are the first to show up when we need help with our life and studies. The other boarding students are also very friendly, and they helped me to adapt quickly as a new student. They made me feel right at home, the whole experience was a soft-landing in my new school.

XLIS：In your opinion, what have you gained by living in the dormitory?
JX：Friendship, care, and passion.

XLIS：What challenges you have faced?
JX：Shopping around the school is not convenient, so if I want snacks and bubble tea, I have to wait until the weekend to enjoy them.