In the second instalment of Collège du Léman’s “Over to Our Students” series, boarders reflect on how living away from home has shaped their academic habits, ambitions and sense of responsibility. Mohammad, a Grade 12 student from Iran, describes arriving in Grade 8 with modest grades and limited confidence in English. With support from House Parents and Tutors, he gradually improved, but it was a deliberate change in routine—better sleep, organisation and study planning—that transformed his results. His GPA rose from around 2.5 to 4.24, and he achieved High Honours in both semesters of Grade 10. For Seojin, a Grade 12 student from South Korea, the boarding community itself became a source of academic inspiration. Encouraged by a former roommate’s positive experience, she took on three Advanced Placement subjects alongside her IB Diploma. Balancing the demands was challenging, but the supportive atmosphere helped her earn a perfect score of five in all three APs and a strong predicted IB score. Their stories illustrate how boarding at Collège du Léman encourages students to take ownership of their learning while drawing motivation from peers and staff alike.
Leadership and personal growth are equally central to the boarding experience at Collège du Léman. Giulia, a Grade 12 student from Brazil, arrived new to both the school and boarding life. Initially focused on adapting, she gradually found her voice and was selected as one of twelve boarding Prefects at the end of her first year. The role brought responsibilities such as representing fellow boarders, attending weekly meetings with boarding leadership, speaking at assemblies and welcoming new students. Giulia explains that she once equated leadership with speaking up or taking charge, but has since learned that it is equally about listening, communicating and making others feel represented. Bisher, a Grade 12 student from Syria, joined CDL in Grade 7 and has lived in several boarding houses. He served as House Captain in Grade 8, House Representative in Grade 11 and is now Head Boy. These roles, he says, developed him as a person and a leader, teaching public speaking, patience and listening. Together, these accounts show that at Collège du Léman—a school within the Nord Anglia Education family—students grow not by becoming someone else, but by building on their strengths and stepping confidently into responsibility.
