Meet Selena Lu ’18 – a Prefect who has flourished in Ridley’s multicultural environment. Read how she took a risk when she moved around the world and discovered an open-minded, globally driven and welcoming community.

Why did you choose Ridley? Other than the elite academia Ridley provides, I was also attracted by the cultural diversity, as well as the warm and home-like vibe of the boarding option.

Did you feel prepared coming to Ridley? I did not feel prepared. I was overwhelmed by the reality of being thousands of miles from home. At that time, I felt surrounded by strangers and was completely alone. However, I soon got over my freshman mindset and started to make new friends in my classes, with the encouragement of Ms. O’Boyle (the former assistant head of house in G-West) and a couple of my friends back in China.

Who is your favourite faculty member and why? Mr. Burke is definitely my favourite. I went on a service trip with him to Jacaranda School in Malawi. He is down to earth and has a good sense of humour. He would actively engage in our conversations and never in a condescending way. Having him on the team was one of the highlights of the trip.

What has been your greatest challenge thus far at Ridley? Living in a foreign country without my parents was definitely the biggest challenge I have ever faced. Coming to Ridley was my first time leaving home and starting a new life by myself, so it was hard to adapt to the new lifestyle. Luckily, I was offered plenty of help from my friends and Ms. O’Boyle. I soon adapted to this new environment with my Ridley family. 

What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far at Ridley? Performing in Battle of the Bands has been my greatest accomplishment, as I learned the value of teamwork. Our band, Match Point, were lucky enough to win the championship. This result was made by having all members working together and put in all our efforts.

What has been your favourite Ridley experience? My favourite Ridley experience is definitely Snake Dance at the beginning of the year. It is a passionate event that brings all of the students together and raises the school spirit for the start of a brand new year.

What is your favourite part of Ridley life? My favourite part of Ridley life is having the opportunity to live in such a diverse environment. I am very lucky to have the chance to spend time with people from all over the world and getting to know their culture.

 What part of being a Prefect are you most excited for? I am most excited for having the opportunity to serve the Ridley community and to meet more people as I fulfill a Prefect’s duty. 

How has Ridley prepared you for the future? Ridley has taught me open-mindedness and respect by providing me with a multi-cultural environment. I have learned to be respectful to different perspectives and be willing to accept it.

What are your plans after graduation? My plan is to go into university for bachelor degree and if possible, further into master’s degree.

What advice would you give prospective students about Ridley? Do not be afraid to try new things at Ridley, as the school provides you with massive amounts of valuable resources and an encouraging attitude to those who are courageous.