Abraham, Senior
Liberia

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Early September 2019 was a nightmare for me; I was lost and felt disappointed. Having grown up in an area that is overwhelmed by people, coming to Hotchkiss – in such a remote and isolated place – I was sad inside, felt bad and broken. But as the days came and went, I began to adjust and started to love the community. The feeling of missing home suddenly disappeared, and Hotchkiss became - and now is - my home away from home. My transition became better because of the support I received. My orientation group was one of the best, if not the best. What would have been a tough transition turned out nice and smooth because orientation leaders and students were guiding me every step of the way. The adults – including teachers and faculty advisors, dining hall staff, nurses and doctors, security and maintenance people – provide care and support that is unimaginable. All helped me assimilate into this community with a vast diversity of people drawn from all corners of the world.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
I am a member of different clubs including the Africa Club. Being a part of this club has allowed me to talk about issues back home, and I enjoy the cookouts that are organized where African students get together to cook different African dishes. Just by being together, it shows the doctrine of unity, of togetherness, that is the thread of African culture. The recently-held cultural festival allowed me to showcase some aspects of my (Liberian) culture to other students and to introduce Liberian dishes to students from different backgrounds and cultures. It makes me excited to know that I am in a community where my culture is recognized and appreciated.    

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
To come to Hotchkiss is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you are thinking about a school that pushes you towards your dreams, that challenges you to embrace the best in you, and that brings your talents to fruition, Hotchkiss is the place. If you want to be in a community where you feel loved and cared for, where your friends are the best people one would ever wish for, then Hotchkiss is your answer. Now I don’t know about you; as for me, I wanted to be in a community where I have teachers who are my mentors, friends, classmates, and dormmates that guide me to seek a better path, and fun activities that keep me awake and never missing home. That is why I decided to come here. It would have been the greatest mistake of my life had I missed out on this chance. 

Jennifer, SEnior
El Salvador

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss:
Transitioning from being the only Asian student surrounded by Hispanic classmates to seeing faces from different countries and cultures was refreshing but also something new that I had never experienced. Even hearing English outside of classes and at sports was something it took me a while to get used to. Although sometimes I felt insecure in my extracurricular and academic abilities due to my background and country of origin, with time I grew more comfortable with the challenges presented to me and fostered great friendships with students from different origins and communities at Hotchkiss.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
El Club, the Hispanic Culture Club

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Participating in unfamiliar clubs and sports that interest you is a great way of meeting new friends and putting yourself out there; although it might feel weird or awkward, putting yourself out of your comfort zone will be a rewarding experience in the future.

Abby, Upper Mid
Bermuda 

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss:
The most difficult part of going from Bermuda to Hotchkiss was during my transition into the math curriculum. There are a lot of American math terms that are not the same as home and I struggled to remember the right ones. I also had to get used to not hearing the Bermudian accent.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
We have international student dessert nights where I am able to talk to other people about the struggles we all have in common.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Just to remember that everyone coming from the English system is going through the same struggles and we are here for each other.

Ashley, Upper Mid
Jamaica

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss:
While Jamaica is often described as a "melting pot" because of its many races, cultures, religions, opinions etc., she failed to prepare me for the cultural explosion that was Hotchkiss. I thought I had grown up in a diverse environment, but it was nothing that could compare to Hotchkiss. I struggled initially with whether or not I should dial back my accent, distinguishing between actual English words and Patois words, whether or not I should dress like a "Jamaican" or conform to the majority at Hotchkiss, and so much more. I was worried that my accent and my lack of formal English training would create somewhat of a language barrier. However, it was not long before all my worries were eased. I met other Jamaican, West Indian, and International students who could identify with similar struggles and gave me advice. I realized that everyone could understand me (for the most part) and that my Jamaican heritage actually contributed to the community.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
In my first year at Hotchkiss, I got the opportunity to do a "cultural spotlight talk" in front of my whole school. Since dance and music are such a big part of Jamaican and West Indian culture, I decided to share that piece of my country with Hotchkiss by dancing. Following my dance, I was overwhelmed with all the positivity I received from the community. So many students and faculty members asked me to teach them to do Jamaican dances and asked me questions about Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Following my dance, Hotchkiss held its annual "Cultural Fair" in which students from different countries set up booths to parade their favorite things about their countries. I got to dress up in traditional Jamaican dress and play my favorite music! Many people came and shared stories of their experiences in Jamaica.

Finally, this year I was given the opportunity to serve as head of the West Indies Culture Club. My participation in this club has allowed me to cook some of my favorite meals from home and even plan a dance!

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Do not worry about what people will think about the way you talk, the music you like, and the food you eat. Hotchkiss is a space that creates tolerant, understanding, and appreciative students who celebrate their differences.

Toby, Lower Mid
Australia

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: My transition to Hotchkiss from Australia felt smooth and natural. Those that come to Hotchkiss come from every walk of life, and these amazing differences are also what unify us as a community. Like anyone else, I was nervous about leaving the certainty of my old school and coming to something that first felt so foreign. However, my apprehensions were short-lived as everyone was kind, friendly, and so welcoming.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Don't be shy! By engaging in the community and being open to the many wonderful opportunities here at Hotchkiss, you will quickly become comfortable in your home away from home.

Darina, Prep
Singapore

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Having grown up in many different places around the world, I occasionally feel a loss of identity. I came to Hotchkiss from Singapore, a city in the heart of Southeast Asia and a melting pot of numerous different cultures. Though I attended an American international school and grew up in the U.S., I was still a bit apprehensive about the adjustment to Hotchkiss' unique culture. When I got here, everyone was so eager and friendly that I was able to talk and become close to other international students who had experiences like mine, as well as kids from the U.S.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
Hotchkiss has many student-led affinity groups and clubs that allow students to be with others from a similar culture and background. Clubs host events for cultural festivals that allow me to feel closer to my culture back home, such as mooncakes in the dining hall for Mid-Autumn festival and celebrations for the Lunar New Year.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
At Hotchkiss, you'll find so many others with similar experiences and backgrounds as you. As you slowly begin to integrate yourself into the Hotchkiss community, always stay true to your unique identity and culture back home. When you arrive at school, everyone is so friendly and welcoming, but it's perfectly normal to be nervous. You will quickly find a support system of friends, teammates, teachers, etc. Take advantage of all your opportunities and know that everyone here genuinely wants to help you, so don't ever be afraid to ask.

Grace, Upper mid
Hong Kong

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Although the differences between the soaring city Hong Kong and the  small town Lakeville are drastic, the transition for me was relatively easy. Hong Kong has always been a relatively international community, so interacting with the diverse range of people was fairly easy. Hotchkiss's first week of orientation proved to be very helpful with the transition, everyone welcomed us with such kindness and warmth. 

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
A very strong Asian community of students resides at Hotchkiss. With the joint combination of this community and the Chinese Club, I settled in almost immediately. The Chinese Club hosts or co-sponsors annual events (Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year Celebration, Lantern Festival, Karaoke Nights) to make Chinese students feel a little more at home. The Asian Culture Club also hosts Asian food making workshops which are always a wonderful time. At each of these events, I'm always embraced by an enthusiastic and affectionate community. Recently, the dining hall has been making dumplings and bringing in Asian cooking sauces for the stir-fry stations which is just amazing. If I ever want to make some fried egg and tomatoes or chicken fried rice, all these things are available!         

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
As a new student at Hotchkiss, I'll admit, it was scary. You're in a new place, with new people. But you're going to have to know that everyone feels the exact same way. Everyone comes from different cultures and backgrounds, each has their own stories to tell.

My advice?  Don't be afraid to take the initiative. Some people tend to let their fears take over and fear that their cultures and differences will prevent them from connecting with others. But the differences are what makes each Hotchkiss relationship so special and strong. Don't let your differences drag you down, let it make you proud and flourish.

Eric, LoweR mid
Shanghai, China

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Before coming to Hotchkiss I went to an international school named SHSID in my hometown of Shanghai, China. In my old school we had the British IB system and all classes except the language classes were taught in English. When I came to Hotchkiss, I did not find it particularly difficult to conform to the academic system here but I had some adversity in adapting to residential life. I felt that I had to blend into all the friend groups in the dorm and be close with people of all kinds. In the first half of my prep year I forced myself to go out and socialize with people all the time, even when I felt busy or tired. This fear of missing out caused a lot of anxiety for me and hindered me from focusing on my academics and sports. I talked to my proctors about this and they gave me some great advice to prevent me from worrying or panicking. I learned to let go of some relationships and embrace the ones that I cherish more. I established a solid friend group and found a few intimate friends whom I can trust, and this anxiety gradually faded away. 

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
I am in the Chinese club and we do so many fun activities every year! My favorite ones are karaoke nights and the Lunar New Year celebration. Last year when I was a prep I was totally amazed by the grandeur of the Lunar New Year celebration. There was just so much delicious, authentic cuisine made by parents and it reminded me of celebrating Lunar New Year at home. Karaoke night is lovely because it establishes a sense of intimacy and brings people together. We also had a hotpot dinner in February and the atmosphere was great with people cooking food for each other. 

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
I think that talking to your proctors is crucial because they can often be your senior mentors and leaders. In my opinion, there is a general tendency that students from China or in general, East Asia, are more independent in handling stress or other issues. We tend to carry the burden by ourselves, thinking that it's no big deal, while there are always ways that we can alleviate it through sharing it with the people we can trust. My proctors last year taught me some great life lessons and I have so much gratitude for them. I hope that you can establish some trust with some people with higher power or more experience (upper class students & adults) early on because it can really make your life at Hotchkiss much easier and more enjoyable.

Ilene, Lower mid
Seoul, South Korea

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: I was worried that there would be no one else like myself and that I would have to give up my culture in order to fit in. However, it turned out to be the complete opposite as there were people who I was able to relate to. You're also given ample time to express and share my culture.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
The annual Lunar New Year Festival allows me to share my culture with the rest of the school and gives me time to appreciate my culture.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
The community here at Hotchkiss is really welcoming. Also, the bonds that the Koreans have here will also help you with your transition!      

Samarth, Lower Mid
India

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: My transition from the hustling, bustling, lively streets of Chandigarh, India, to the quiet, serene woods of Hotchkiss was intertwined with many happening moments and challenges. However, I had confidence in my ability to keep an open mind to learn and grow. Academically, the curriculum at Hotchkiss focused on more varied and comprehensive subjects than what I had previously studied. My approach and overview changed in understanding of my subjects. Communicating with my teachers helped me out a lot. Getting over the initial cultural shock took some time but the community at Hotchkiss was super supportive and helped me through it. I also found rowing, my fall co-curricular, thoroughly enjoyable and it helped me develop further both physically and emotionally and to get used to life here in general.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
The Diwali dinner was a nice experience, and helped me maintain a connection with my culture while being so far away from home.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
I would say keeping an open mind and not be afraid of making mistakes will go a long way in easing the transition. Furthermore, you will benefit yourself immensely by immersing yourself into the various things the school has to offer. Bring some decorations for your room that remind you of home or connect you to your culture. These can be a cool carpet or pictures of your family and friends. Food is one major thing that you might miss being away from home so I’d recommend stocking up on snacks and sweets that you like.

Samarth, Lower Mid
India/United States

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Growing up in the United States with a majorly Indian community, I have always been very closely attached the my culture. I experienced lavish Diwali (festival of lights) parties, huge Holi (Festival of Colors) celebrations, and Poojas (worshipping of the Gods) at many friends’ houses. All these experiences caused me to strongly develop a connection to my heritage. I began to understand the meaning of the customs I so blindly followed as a child, and I looked forward to enjoying each event.

Coming to Hotchkiss felt as if I was leaving my heritage behind me. I wondered if Hotchkiss would celebrate Diwali. I wondered if I would have an Indian community here as well. I wondered if Hotchkiss was embrace my culture. It did. Fellow Indian students organized a Diwali Pooja my first year here; I felt at home with the various mithaai, traditional Indian sweets, and the amazing company. This year, I took celebrating Diwali onto my own hands. I wanted to plan a large party with grand decorations, catered food, and firecrackers to commemorate my favorite occasion with passion. The leadership at Hotchkiss supported my ideas and allowed me to plan the party to all my fancies.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
Diwali is definitely the most famous Indian celebration throughout the world. I really wanted to see more Diwali celebrations at Hotchkiss this year; hence, Hotchkiss delivered with a large party for students of Indian Heritage. Not only was the party provided, but also there was Rangoli (Indian Floor Art) in main hallway, Indian dessert prepared by the Dining Hall, and a chapel talk to explain Diwali to the student body.

There will also be non-Diwali related Indian events at Hotchkiss this year as well! One highlight was an Indian food workshop in January where students learned to hand make Chola Bhature, a famous Indian meal.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
My advice to anyone coming from my culture, or any culture for that matter, is to communicate their wants/needs. If you want to see celebrations for an event special to you, communicate with faculty and even certain students, and it will become possible. Try to get yourself involved if you hope to see your culture become more evident at Hotchkiss; the only way to make it happen is by using your voice.

Olya, Upper MId
Thailand

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Coming to Hotchkiss, I was pleasantly surprised by my peers’ intellectual capabilities as well as the community’s overall openness. In Bangkok, I was not expected to respond to critical questions regarding texts like the ones we read in Humanities classes, nor had I ever been asked to derive a formula for a Physics concept that had just been shared with the class a few minutes earlier. Hotchkiss invoked my passion in subjects that I never knew I was interested in, and challenged my prior conceptions of the world. In addition to the notable academic rigor, the friends that I have made is what makes the community so special. Though I previously attended an international school, Hotchkiss’ diversity is unlike any other; while the students are very patriotic, they also care very deeply about learning about other cultures. Rather than confining themselves to others from their region, the students interact and respond to each other's uniqueness as a way of integrating into the wider Hotchkiss community.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
At the beginning of the second semester, various student affinity groups and cultural clubs organize the Lunar New Year festival to celebrate the first day on the Lunar calendar. During the festival, students of all Asian ethnicities are invited to showcase their culture, each celebrating the new year with different traditions. This speaks to the diversity among the Hotchkiss student body, even within the pan-Asian community.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
To international students from diverse geographic backgrounds: keep an open mind. The most significant lesson I’ve learnt is that while my cultural identity is an important part of me, I also have much to learn from my peers from around the world. I would tell someone coming from my region to keep your culture and hometown close to your heart, but continue to embrace new experiences and different challenges.

Yuka, Upper MId
New Zealand

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Kia Ora, new Bearcats! I moved to New Zealand a few years before coming to Hotchkiss. I grew up in Japan until 7th grade, and I went to schools in Switzerland, Connecticut, and Auckland, NZ before coming to Hotchkiss. At the time, I was moving places without the time to settle, and I was trying to find a place where I felt comfortable and at home. Before coming to Hotchkiss, I was worried that the environment would be very exotic, and I would be unable to feel at ease. Despite my apprehension, I have made great connections with people in the Hotchkiss community, and they reassure my sense of belonging in this community every day. I am so grateful that I have crossed paths with such amazing people here!

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
There are so many events that remind me of New Zealand! I live in Auckland, and one of the things I love to do there is to go to the Auckland Night Market and eat food from different cultures. At Hotchkiss, we have the annual Cultural Fair, where students from different cultures have a chance to share their cultures through food. They all have their individual booths, and everyone in the community is welcome to come. Eating delicacies from different cultures reminds me of the Market. Also, one of the things I love about New Zealand is its beautiful nature. I camp, hike, and walk to the beach on some mornings with my sister and my mom. One of my favorite places I have visited is Tongariro National Park. At Hotchkiss, we are surrounded by nature that constantly changes with the seasons. There is Lake Wononskopomuc, which faces the campus and is very close to the main building. My friends and I walked to the lake to see the sunset and its beauty reminded me of New Zealand. The field hockey team here also reminds me of NZ. The team sprit is so great, and it reminds me of the fun times I had in NZ playing hockey!

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
I would advise all the new Bearcats to come with an open mind. There are challenges, life-lasting memories, and so many great opportunities awaiting you. Being open to getting to know people will change your experience here! I would also advise not to be afraid to reach out for help. Before you come, you will be assigned a international mentor who will be there for you to answer any questions or worries you have. Personally, my mentor was a great help, and she supported me all through out the year. To Bearcats coming from New Zealand, I would advise you to be proud of kiwi/maori culture and be open to sharing it with others here.

Any additional comments?
Nau mai!

Nicklas, Lower Mid
Germany

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: I grew up in Frankfurt, Germany, and attended an international school. Initially, I was pretty nervous about coming to Hotchkiss, but after meeting many of the kids at Hotchkiss, I was reassured that this was the right move for me. I experienced a slight change in my social life, yet through a network of great friends and teachers, I was quickly able to adapt.      

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
In December, for St. Nicholas day, we had a German feast during dinner. We had Currywurst, Bratwurst, and Rotkraut. The food was very good. Also, we are in the process of planning a day where we grill a bunch of imported German sausages.    

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Make sure to be open-minded, and you will make a lot of friends at Hotchkiss.

Lisa, Lower mid
Russia

Briefly describe your transition to Hotchkiss: Before I came to Hotchkiss, I'd gone to a public school in Moscow, Russia, for 10 years. It was fairly difficult to move from such a big city to a small town in the country. I'm used to being a bus ride away from anything I need and hearing cars and sirens outside my window until dawn. Here, it's a lot calmer and quieter, but just as exciting. It's an interesting change of scenery.

Are there any events on campus that connect you to your home culture?
There aren't any events, per say, that connect with my culture. However, there are people with backgrounds similar to mine that help me feel included in the community.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about coming to Hotchkiss?
Hotchkiss is a place with people from every corner of the world. I'm absolutely certain you'll find someone with a similar story to a certain degree. Maybe you like playing the same sport, or maybe you grew up watching the exact same tv shows and eating the exact same snacks. Either way, you'll never feel alone.