Parent Testimonial: Jem

Originally published June 2024 

When we first toured Dulwich College Seoul, we searched for a community that mirrored our family’s international background. Having lived in Japan and the US, we wanted an environment where diversity was a daily reality for my son. We found that connection here, even though our start was quite unusual. 

My son, Uno, joined in Year 6 at the beginning of the pandemic. Transitioning from the Korean school system into the international curriculum is a significant leap, and the global lockdown added another layer of complexity. We saw the strength of the Dulwich community immediately during that time. Even with social distancing, the small class sizes meant teachers truly understood Uno's needs, providing the personalized support he required to find his footing. 

Watching the IB programme transform my son's thinking has been incredibly rewarding. He initially found it difficult to move from a directed system toward making independent choices. By Year 11, I saw a profound shift as he took ownership of his learning and understood the weight of his own decisions. Now in Year 12, that maturity allows us to prioritize his well-being alongside his academics. We focus on his health and outlets—like the gym and vocal lessons—because a holistic education requires a balanced, happy student. 

My own involvement at the College has been equally fulfilling. I initially stepped into the role of Parent Representative to stay connected to my son’s life during his teenage years. It became an opportunity to advocate for student interests, such as helping to introduce e-sports into the Extra-Curricular Activity (ECA) program. I wanted to show our community that gaming builds valuable skillsets that students can use throughout their lives. 

Looking back, Dulwich has provided academic instruction while acting as a community that embraced our international background. It has supported my son as he grew from a student following a path into a young man capable of carving his own.