Our GESS Alumni Family is growing and we love sharing their stories. This month, two of our younger Alumni tell us about their time and memories at GESS. Gabriella and Alexander had to leave GESS and Singapore a few years ago to go to the Netherlands, but the lessons and values instilled at GESS have remained with them.
How long were you at GESS and where did your family move?
Gabriella: My name is Gabriella. I am 16 years old. I attended GESS for 6 years. Since then, I have moved to the Netherlands to continue secondary school and hopefully study at university there, too.
Alexander: My name is Alexander Burgers. I have been at GESS for 6 years. Since I moved away from Singapore, I have started going to another IB school in the Netherlands and I am now in grade eight.
What was your favorite memory of GESS?
Gabriella: My favourite memories of GESS are related to the time at the Junior School Campus at Jalan Jurong Kechil. The monkeys from the jungle next door had come into school and we couldn’t get to our lessons without passing them. I remember the teachers running up to the floor with the monkeys and spraying them with water guns to ward them off. It was entirely hilarious, and this is the school experience I won’t forget.
Alexander: My favourite memories from GESS were the after-school activities and being part of the swimming team. I also enjoyed spending time with all different types of grades in the old campus and playing tag with all of them during lunch.
What do you miss most about your time at GESS?
Gabriella: Compared to my new school, I miss all the facilities GESS had to offer. I miss having access to so many machines in the design lab, an Olympic-sized pool, gymnastics equipment, and musical instruments (and soundproof rooms).
Alexander: I really miss having the cafeteria for food as now I have home-prepared food which is really nice, but it was also nice to have a bigger variety of options for lunch and snacks.
What do you miss about Singapore?
Gabriella: What I miss most about Singapore, are all the friends I’ve made there. I did have some favourite places in Singapore, but they aren’t there anymore.
Alexander: In Singapore, I miss the food and temperature as they are both very different here in the Netherlands. I didn’t really have any favourite spots or places to go to in Singapore as I was young and did not go out much also due to COVID.
Do you think your time in Singapore and your time at GESS had an impact on your future life? What did you learn at GESS that you especially value today?
Gabriella: Singapore and GESS impacted my life today as both gave me certain expectations of what to expect in the world. The best thing GESS taught me was how intercultural the world truly is and that the world we live in is so diverse.
Alexander: I learned a lot about how to play basketball, which I enjoy, and it really helped me become better now. But I also remembered learning special skills like the ATL skills and how to present presentations properly and gain information that is relevant. I think GESS is special in such a way that nothing really changes learning but the fact that you have so many choices really makes it more special.
Is there any piece of advice or any experience you would like to share with current GESS students?
Gabriella: My advice to current GESS students is to appreciate the access to all the amazing facilities and to make good friends and connections in the mixing pot of culture that GESS is. It’s what makes GESS special.
