Changing schools is always an adjustment. Changing schools and moving to an entirely new country is monumental.
Insight School of Minnesota senior Rave Andrei De Leon experienced this change firsthand. Born in the Philippines, Rave moved to Minnesota with his mother and siblings in 2019. Immediately, he was struck by the differences between his new school and his school in the Philippines. “It’s a very different culture. There, we would start school at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.,” said Rave. “It was a very significant culture shock when we moved here.”
At first, Rave attended a brick-and-mortar school in MN, but pretty quickly his family recognized he needed something different. “We saw ISMN and said, ‘Maybe we could try that,’” said Rave. “It’s definitely worked out for me.” Through the school, Rave joined clubs and got involved in more than just academics. He’s in a current events club where students are able to learn about what’s going on in the world. Through the club, he also had the chance to share about his experience being from the Philippines.
Additionally, online school provided Rave with unique opportunities to prepare for college life. He said, “I have learned how to manage my time, which is a good trait to have.” The independence in his schedule as a virtual student also benefitted him, allowing him to work at a local coffee shop in order to save money for school. He also was able to quickly adjust when the pandemic hit thanks to ISMN’s virtual format. “School stayed the same, I’ve had the same routine since I started,” he said.
Though his school’s format gave Rave more freedom, it still came with rigor. “Online school is not as easy as you think. There’s a lot of self-work and study to do, and not a lot of people have the patience to do that,” Rave said. His teachers were committed to challenging students as well. “My teachers are very passionate about their job, and they do their best to make class as engaging as possible.” His teachers utilized activities such as mock debates to connect students, and thanks to their efforts, Rave has been able to make close friends.
His school equipped him for life post high school, too. In his last year of school, he studied both biology and chemistry. “There’s a lot I can adapt for college. I think it’ll be a very easy adaptation for me,” he said. Now, he wants to major in pre-dentistry and chemistry.
Despite the challenges of an international move and changing schools twice, Rave has prospered. Following graduation, he plans on attending St. Cloud University on a Presidential Scholarship, an award fitting for his hard work and dedication.
To learn more about Insight School of Minnesota, please visit mn.insightschools.net
