Hear From A Student

Danny Kim '24 | Johns Hopkins University

To choose a U.S. school, I always advise other international students to identify their interests and needs first. If a student wants to take challenging courses like Honors or AP, then find a school that has a good academic program. If a student wants to play sports in a well-structured program, find a school that has a strong athletic program. On my first campus visit, I saw that Kennedy Catholic High School has a good balance between academics and sports. It was this depth that led me to choose Kennedy Catholic High School.

Different from my home country, American high schools highly value the importance of working together as a team. All the studies that I did in Korea were by myself, however at Kennedy Catholic, I was able to learn even better by having constructive discussions with my classmates.

Kennedy Catholic taught me the importance of cooperation. When I took my first class, I thought it was impressive because of the cooperative learning environment. American high school students are open to almost everything.  You can try new sports or take rigorous courses. Taking a class in a U.S. school is different because “peers” function as the most important influence. When I was in Korea, individualism was key. In America, we work together, help each other, and most importantly, care about our classmates. 

AP Calculus AB and AP Environmental Science during my sophomore year helped me to decide on a STEM field because I gained interest in those subjects as well as confidence. Anatomy and Physiology also helped me decide on my major since I was fascinated by how human organs and systems work. Additionally, I was fascinated by the mechanism of the human immune system.

I am planning to study public health on the pre-med track. Specifically, I am interested in studying contagious viruses and their prevention methods since I am also interested in working for the World Health Organization (WHO).

Three years of being on the golf team was my most memorable experience at Kennedy Catholic. As a varsity player, I was able to learn how to balance academics and sports, how to be in a good mindset, and how to apply “sportsmanship” to real-life situations. I especially remember my senior night. It was my last home game at Glen Acres and my family and friends came to cheer me on. 

Mr. Stephen Barbarossa is my favorite teacher. He has not only taught me AP Calculus but also taught me the power of enthusiasm. It is a lifetime lesson because I believe that nothing, whether it is talent or something else, can beat an enthusiastic individual. Mr. Barbarossa spends time with students who have questions even after school. There were practice sessions during off days or Saturdays so that students could better prepare for the AP exam. By providing this opportunity to students, I was able to be even more engaged in his class. Also, he does not just tell the answer at first when students ask him a question. He encourages us to figure out the correct processes by ourselves by simply providing helpful hints. By following his curriculum and his distinctive teaching style, I was able to do my best in his class.

My high school years were filled with some difficult personal moments, but I never gave up. Challenges I faced almost made me give up on everything I was working on, including academics and sports. Despite all these hardships, I was able to overcome them with the help of my family and teachers. They inspired me to keep going, and now I am graduating high school with high academic standing. It is my major achievement at Kennedy Catholic because I learned how to deal with stressful moments, which will make me a stronger person in the future.

One of the biggest influences in high school was my involvement in the Forefront Club. A UW suicide prevention club, Forefront, teaches students how to support others going through challenging times. In my role as one of the LEARN presentation leaders, I trained about 15-20 freshmen on how to deal with crisis situations. This was a valuable effort because many students are struggling with mental health issues, and it's one of the biggest public health issues these days.

As a National Honor Society member, I helped students with math questions during class or after school. Since it is important to go over the correct processes, I helped others make sure they are on the right track. As a Link Crew leader, I mentored new arrivers. The first few months in a new high school and a new country could be stressful, so I could appreciate that and connect with them. This year, I was able to help one student who was willing to try golf which was new to him. It was great to see him putting his best effort on the course. Like my personal journey, I am helping students to try new things.

Suan Choi '24 | Cornell University

My teachers here at school always supported me and gave me opportunities to gain experience and become a better version of myself. Outside of the classroom, Kennedy Catholic provided me countless ways to serve as a leader and walked with me in forming my leadership skills. As a student leader during the new international student orientation week and Link Crew leader in August, I developed my leadership skills. I helped first-year and new students adjust to school. I gave them advice about choosing classes and other tips about going to an American school and how to deal with differences between the U.S. and in their home country.

One of the most memorable experiences at Kennedy Catholic High School was the Cultural Assembly. For months before the cultural assembly, students began to prepare for the performance. The school was full of excitement as the cultural assembly approached. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds performed in front of the school, representing their culture and everyone gathered and became one community, appreciating each other's culture. It was not only the detailed and eye-catching performances but also the way students respected each other’s cultures that was truly touching.

I love all Kennedy Catholic teachers, but Mr. Barbarossa, Mr. Munro, and Mr. Cascio are my favorite teachers. I had Mr. Barbarossa’s class for two years for AP Calculus AB, BC, and theology, and I was fascinated by the energy he brought to the class and the encouragement he always gave. With my preexisting interest in psychology, Mr. Munro’s AP Psychology class really introduced me to the study of psychology in approachable and entertaining ways. Mr. Cascio’s American Government and Pacific Rim class were great, though the government class was a bit challenging for me as I had to memorize a lot of information. I’ve always wanted to study a business-related field. During my college application process, I felt like hospitality would be a good fit for me, so I decided to major in Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

During my sophomore year, I was on the Girl’s Bowling and Tennis teams. Though I didn’t have much experience in playing tennis, it was one of the best times I had ever had. By having matches with other schools, I formed a keen sense of community and teamwork within the girls on my team.

Every time I participated in an assembly, spirit week, or other school events, I was always astonished by the energy and inclusiveness that Kennedy Catholic brings to every single student. During my four years here, I’ve learned much more than academic knowledge. Constantly being influenced by peers, teachers, and staff members, I learned leadership skills and communication skills. Kennedy Catholic is very inclusive in the sense of bringing every single student together to join this strong community. I felt very included during my time here.

Aryana Karamihan '24 | University of Washington - Seattle

Accepted by following colleges: Seattle University, University of Washington, University of San Francisco, Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga University. Attending: University of Washington

I initially chose Kennedy Catholic because it simply sounded better than my old school (funny enough, the 2:30pm dismissal time was one of the reasons why I wanted to attend the school). But as I thought more about it, it was because I had a gut feeling that Kennedy Catholic would be a great opportunity and that I had to take that opportunity because it would never happen again and I’d spend the rest of my life pondering about ‘what-ifs’ if I missed it.

Kennedy Catholic actually helped me solidify my goals for college. Before arriving, I only had a nebulous goal of going to college and being a psychology major, and that was pretty much it. But with the help of my college counselors and the college fair I attended in junior year, I was able to work out the details on what exactly are my college goals. The college counselors especially helped me in determining what is the process in applying and committing to a college and double checked my college essays to increase my chances of getting accepted.

AP Psychology helped me decide whether I really intend to have psychology as a major. It was a test run on the topic. Though the subject is a bit hard sometimes, it affirmed my decision to have psychology as my major due to my interest in that field of study.

One of my most memorable experiences at Kennedy Catholic is getting to participate in the Cultural Assembly in my senior year. It was not the first time for me to perform in front of a crowd, I did that occasionally back in my old school, but it was the first time I volunteered to do so. Even though practice was long and tiring, the Tinikling dance was the most fun I had while performing. It wasn’t perfect, and I got a bit hurt while doing it, but it was still fun and rewarding. I would do that again if given the chance, even with all the hardships.

It's the same with the fashion show. I was never one to put myself in front of a crowd that way. It was different from dancing. While dancing, I would be too focused on trying to get the movements right to notice the crowd. With the fashion show, I was very aware that there was a crowd watching me as a took every step. It wasn’t as fun as the Tinikling dance, but it’s nice that I got to showcase my culture.

I would honestly recommend Kennedy Catholic to a friend. Attending this school was a very enjoyable and unforgettable experience. This school gave me the freedom to breathe and not be constantly swamped with work. Though I am sometimes swamped with work, it’s not a constant thing. I have the time to hang out with friends and even join extracurriculars and it doesn’t hurt my academics if I do so. It’s easier to talk with people here and I managed to make some friends. The events the school set up for us is simply amazing and fun. I feel like I’m part of a community, something larger than myself. The main reason I would recommend Kennedy Catholic is that you get to be a student and a teenager. You still have to study, but you have the room to have fun and just be.

The club I was most involved in was the Knowledge Bowl club. It’s a club that tests students’ general knowledge in things a high schooler should know in the form of a trivia game. I started attending this club a few months after I arrived at Kennedy Catholic during the second semester of junior year and went to almost every meeting until the end of senior year. We went to one competition during my time there, and I had fun. I wish I had more time at Kennedy. 1 ½ years was not enough, but I’m glad I was a part of it anyway.

Hanamichi Matsuzaki '24 | Pierce College

My name is Hanamichi. I began my studies at Kennedy Catholic High School in August of 2022. I’m graduating in May this year. I am from Japan, and I decided to study abroad because I wanted to change myself, as I had been relying on my parents and home environment for my entire life. My goal was to become a strong person who could live on my own in a foreign country and culture.

I chose the United States as my study abroad destination because ever since I was a little kid, my dream has been to become a professional basketball player. I have always wanted to challenge myself and grow in the realm of American basketball. One of the reasons for this aspiration is my desire to acquire English skills that I believe will be necessary in society in the future.

Initially, it was difficult for me to fully understand conversations, American trends and slang. There were times when I felt limited by the language barrier, but I was able to grow by having more opportunities to learn how to convey my ideas. I noticed music always playing everywhere I went. Knowing lyrics and singing the words was an opportunity to have a conversation and make friends.

I was able to take classes at Kennedy Catholic at the same level as the local students and was excited to join the basketball team. It was fun to experience the array of environments during the basketball season when we traveled to various schools for games. For accommodations, I stayed with relatives during the first year and then lived in a student dormitory the following year. I have many fond memories of the friends I met in the United States. I still can't forget the experience of staying at a friend's house in the summer and being treated like family, playing in the lake until I was tired, and sharing the hardships and joys of basketball.

Living independently in a foreign country was more challenging than I had anticipated. In addition to managing household tasks, I had to handle all aspects of daily life on my own, including time management and taking care of my emotional well-being. I came to the realization that the lifestyle I had grown accustomed to in Japan was a sheltered one. Living away from home helped me develop a deep sense of appreciation for my family and friends that I may have missed had I not come to study abroad.

As the culmination of my time abroad, I have formally committed to play basketball at the collegiate level for Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom, in the NWAC Division. This decision marks a wonderful conclusion to my time at Kennedy Catholic which has helped me gain clarity on my thoughts and opinions, while also developing the autonomy to assert them. I have also learned to take proactive actions to achieve my goals. Through daily effort and challenges, I have realized the importance of clarifying the direction I should aim for and working towards it.

Class of 2023

Leo K.

My name is Leo. I’m in 11^thgrade and come from Japan. At first, I only wanted to be a peer mentor to help my friend who needed English support, but as I learned that there were more international students who could use some support, I wanted to be a part of creating a peer mentor program.

I am happy to participate in these tutoring sessions that help new international students. My goal is to help them raise their English proficiency test scores from low to an average level, or even higher! This is significant to me because as of now, me and my co-leader are the only students who are officially tutoring international students.

When I first came to Kennedy Catholic my freshman year, one thing that made my transition to an American high school easier was the ability to understand the English language. Since my previous school was an international school, it wasn’t a problem for me. But while in the international program, I have met many students who are struggling with English, and I see this as interfering with their ability to make native friends - so helping them with their English is important and rewarding to me.

Kai W.

I’m Kai! I am in 11^th grade, and I am from Japan. I first wanted to become a peer mentor to help my friend. He was new to English, and struggled a lot in class. Watching him struggle reminded me of myself when I started learning English. After helping him with his homework and fundamental language skills, I learned that I like teaching people English. This realization led me and another friend to create an after-school tutoring program.

I bring my personal experience of learning English as a second language (ESL) to the group. I am using my personal experience to teach English in the most productive and comfortable way possible. A key difference between a native speaker and a non-native speaker is the ability to think and learn in English. When speaking, a non-native speaker tends to think in their own language and translate it in their heads. My goal is to make them think and learn in English. To accomplish this goal, I am teaching only in English. For example, when a student doesn't know a word, I stop them from searching for it in their first language and ask them to look it up in English, or use a picture. I am currently taking AP English & Composition.

My transition to Kennedy Catholic High School went smoothly thanks to the support I got from the Office of International Education staff. They helped me transition both inside and outside of school. They not only helped me with selecting my classes and creating a plan for college, but they helped me with selecting my host family.

Sibo Z.
Class of 2023

My name is Sibo! I am from China but I was born in Dubai, UAE. My parents believed that America offered the best education in the world, where dreams and opportunities are endless. I first became interested in studying at Kennedy Catholic High School because I had a friend that attended. I was even more convinced to join Kennedy Catholic after learning about its reputation and programs. As one of the best Catholic schools in Washington, the school provided many AP classes, college courses with the University of Washington and Seattle University, and amazing athletic programs.

I met lifelong friends that have become a vital part of my life both at school and away from school. As part of my academic journey, I met some of the best teachers, Mr. Stephen Barbarossa, Mr. Ben Josie, and Ms. Caroline Cacabelos. They played a major role in my academic success as well as in shaping my dream of becoming an engineer.

Kennedy Catholic is such a special place because the community is so accepting and loving. Everyone encourages one another to do better and thrive for the best, giving everyone the best chance to succeed.

The teachers are the most important because they are the ones that we learn from and look up to. They are always there whenever you need help or when you need someone to talk to. Lastly, the counselors would often check up on us to make sure we are doing all right mentally, showing that the school really cares about its students and staff.

Though I was good at grammar and speaking, my writing skills were average. I was able to hone my skills through AP and college English classes during my junior and senior years, so I have already experienced the intensity and difficulty that I will face later in college. During my senior year, Kennedy Catholic offered great college counselors that were able to guide me through the application process, which definitely made it more convenient to write college essays and apply to colleges. My major is computer science and engineering, so AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus AB helped me prepare.

I tried my best to make friends that could help me adjust as well as ask the teachers for guidance. I joined Baseball, Asian Student Union, Esports Club and the World Language Honor Society. I sense that I have assimilated to American culture. One of my most memorable experiences at Kennedy Catholic High School is when the teachers performed a rock concert, led by Mr. Ben Josie, during the pep assembly. That was probably one the best performances I have ever seen at school.

I will also remember the late nights of studying with my friends before a test. The 2am bedtime made it rough to wake up in the morning. I would often help my friends with math, science, and history homework. I would guide them through the problem to see if they could come up with the answers and if they couldn’t, I would give them hints of the keywords and key equations to use to solve the problem. My advice to other students who are considering studying in the U.S. is to make American friends, develop good relationships with your teachers, ask whenever you are confused or lost, and work hard.

My major accomplishment was achieving a 4.0 while taking 3 AP classes and 3 Seattle University courses, making lifelong friends, getting accepted directly into the University of Washington Engineering Department. I have matured and learned with the guidance of my peers and teachers.

Of course, I would recommend Kennedy Catholic to anybody who seeks a good challenge, a great and loving community, as well as very a well-rounded high school experience.

My experience at Kennedy Catholic was enriching and academically fulfilling. The class that particularly prepared me for admission to Berkeley was Biotechnology, which ignited my interest in the subject through various lab experiments and guided me toward my major in microbial biology. Additionally, one of my favorite memories from attending Kennedy Catholic was the Cultural Assembly, where I had the opportunity to learn about different cultures and enjoy entertaining performances.

Admiring school life outside of Japan, I decided to study abroad in Gold Coast, Australia when I reached 9th grade. After about a year in Gold Coast, my desire to move to the United States increased. I was seeking a high-quality education, so I transferred to Kennedy Catholic High School in the second semester of my freshman year. The school had a respectable reputation both in academics and athletics.

Transferring in the second semester was hard though. I had a difficult time reaching out to others and making friends. I lacked confidence in my English and on top of that, after a year and a half of online schooling due to the Covid pandemic, my high school life until the first half of junior year was not ideal.

Meanwhile, my athletics sustained me. I began playing tennis at age 8 with my mother’s influence. I participated in the girls’ tennis team here at Kennedy Catholic since my freshman year, and I became a captain of the team during my senior year.

Although I consider myself introverted, throughout my experience on the tennis team, my personality became more extroverted, and enabled me to spend the rest of my school year with a spirit full of excitement.

Kennedy’s Office of International Education provides sophisticated support, as well as a variety of events and challenges students to achieve academically which truly reflects the values of this school. This support combined with events provide students with an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills. I have tutored other international students who are struggling with their English and school assignments for two years; additionally, I played the role as a leader of Team Japan at the Cultural Festival. Throughout these experiences, I realized how challenging it is to lead my peers, as well as the importance of generosity.

I have no words but a huge appreciation for my mother, who always supports my dreams and goals no matter what. For post-graduation, I will be going back to Japan and spending the next four years at Sophia University, located in Tokyo. I am looking forward to spending my time with my family, which I was not able to in the past four years, along with studying at college, so that I can contribute to creating a better society.

My Name is Min Jae Kim and I am a student from Seoul, South Korea. I had a lot of concerns before coming to the United States, but Kennedy Catholic High School’s diversity appealed to me. In America, I believe it is quite simple to make friends. I used to be introverted, but I’ve developed an outgoing attitude and have surrounded myself with many wonderful friends. What I like most is that you can join a variety of clubs. You can even create a new club if you want. I joined the Environmental Club, Forefront Club, and the Tennis Team.

International students might worry that it would be very inconvenient to attend school without a car, but I live in a dormitory and there are large stores and a variety of shops near the school which is very convenient. Sometimes I miss Korea, but I don't have to miss Korean food as there are many Korean restaurants just a short walk from school that I enjoy. I do miss my family and my dog so much. It’s been exactly three years since I came to the US.

When I first arrived, I could not answer the questions asked by the airport immigration officer. To strengthen my communication abilities, I started in an ESL study group. I also received after-school tutoring and have tried to make as many friends as possible. My English abilities improved over time. As a result, I currently have a SAT score of 1580 and a TOEFL score of 113.

When you become a senior, you are asked to decide which university you want to attend. I’ve dreamt of gettingaccepted to Cornell University since childhood. People criticized me for my English skills, believing it would be impossible. I ignored them and pursued my own path, finally getting into Cornell University with an early acceptance.

The road I've walked so far has been rough. However, the IE Office was always by my side. There was a time when I was mentally tired and I wanted to give up. At that time, the IE Office staff comforted me by reminding me of what a great student I was. Those words at that time seem to have been the turning point that helped me to endure. Mysuccess is not only from my efforts but also the result of the support I received.

When deciding on my major, I considered my interests and strengths. After taking AP Environmental Science, I was focused on the environment and my favorite teacher, Mr. Kemp, gave me a lot of advice.

The Korean education system was a bit of a burden to me. No matter how hard I worked, there were many times when I was disregarded. When I first came to America, however, I was very surprised. The harder I worked, the more I got recognized. I love this kind of culture where I show my passion for studying to my teachers and I get more respect from them.

I would definitely encourage other students considering Kennedy Catholic to attend. The many IE activities, school clubs and sports, lovely friends and instructors helped shape me into the person I am now. I will never forget this school and will be glad to have graduated from here for the rest of my life.

Class of 2022

Ko Y.

Fluency in English has been a goal of mine for a number of years, going back to junior high school. The ability to communicate clearly in English opens up many possibilities for future careers, travel, and meeting people with different backgrounds, interests, and points of view.

I chose to study in the United States to learn English because this provided a wide variety of cultural experiences in a single region. Another advantage is that the American education system allows the student some control over the focus of his or her studies. In my case, I came to the U.S. with very limited English proficiency, so I needed to concentrate on taking ESL classes while also taking classes in mathematics, art, and physical education. My school has a strong support system for international students, which assisted me in choosing classes that were appropriate for me while building my English proficiency.

As an international student from Japan with limited language skills, I initially found it difficult to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, which sometimes made me feel somewhat isolated. As my English skills improved, particularly by the 12^th grade, my confidence grew and I became comfortable with school life, enjoying baseball and other activities. My experience with homestay also helped to draw me into the lives of others around me. I have made many wonderful friends during my study abroad time; I will always be grateful for this opportunity.

Mana O.

I am Mana, I am from Japan and I’m in 12^th grade. I attended school in California my freshman year, and I felt more comfortable staying at an American high school rather than returning home to attend a Japanese school. I chose this school based on three considerations: religion, whether there were Asian students attending, and support of international students.

In California, I had only 5 other international classmates, but they were all European. I was almost one of the only Asian students at a school with 1,500 students. I felt lonely at times, so I was glad to make a change for the better and find my community here at Kennedy Catholic.

I liked learning about how Kennedy Catholic supports its international students, and the fact that there was a Japanese member on the IE staff was important to me.

I was surprised with the way teachers instruct and the contrast to attending school in Japan. Most of my classes give me joy. It is fun to be in the class at Kennedy Catholic, and that is a new feeling for me!

Kennedy Catholic offers a college fair for international students too, so that experience got me thinking about going to college in the U.S. Now, I look forward to studying at Michigan State University next year.

I haven’t have struggled with any language differences, but when I get stuck with words, I always try to explain myself to others by describing what I want to say. This way, they’ll teach me how to say it in English. At first, I resorted to Google translator, which was the fastest, but maybe the worst way of getting the correct translation. I have tried to just do my best and ask others for help.

I joined the Cross-Country team and I have made friends. I also attend the monthly IE Extraordinary Experience field trips and enjoy welcoming new international students to school each semester.

Me and my friends love to see new students at Kennedy Catholic. I’d like to invite more Japanese to join us, as there are many people who would like for you to be here. Sharing your culture in this place is exciting and your courage to come here can make others’ lives special. Students and teachers are so nice and always helpful.

This is a verse from my favorite song: “Don’t be afraid to try, be afraid that you didn’t try.”

I definitely agree with this, and I want students thinking about study abroad to keep this in mind. Come to the U.S., and you’ll see it’s not the time or place to be shy or be afraid. Everyone has a different personality, and that’s okay! You are allowed to have a different personality or opinion here. Everyone will accept you if you just try. Everything that you experience in this country will make your life different for the better, so don’t be afraid.

Tanya L.

The first time I visited America was in 2013 when my mother attended an EMBA program at Berkeley Haas Business School. My entire family came along for a short trip in San Francisco, California. After visiting the campus of Berkeley and Stanford, I told my mother I loved the atmosphere there, and I wanted to study in the U.S.A. one day.

This has been my dream since that time. I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to study abroad. With a family that supports me financially and emotionally, I am fulfilling my dream. It’s challenging for me to live apart from them, but I am doing this for a brighter future. As the oldest child in the family, I would like to be a role model for my sister, and I want my family to be proud of me.

Selecting my high school was quite important because it’s the steppingstone for college, and for the rest of my life. I chose Kennedy Catholic not only because of the recommendations from friends, but I’d heard many times from my aunt how her Catholic education helped her to personally develop. A lot of well-known companies such as Microsoft and Amazon are in Seattle, so it was important for me to study in a city that’s international and advanced.

Kennedy Catholic is the high school that has the most international students in Seattle, and I longed to study in a place that had different cultures. I’ve been studying in Seattle since I was 13, so I’m completing a 4-year high school diploma program. Starting to study abroad from high school helped me develop academically and get more familiar with the U.S. education system. I’m glad I came as a freshman; I believe I would not have adapted as well if I had waited to start my study abroad in college.

I’ve been able to get involved here. I was on the Girls’ Swim Team, I’m playing JV tennis, I joined the Golf Club, and helped welcome new students as an IE Marketing Assistant. I am also the co-founder of the Dance Yourself Club. I love dancing, and I was able to channel this passion to help start the dance club, and also join the cheer team. It’s been so fun and rewarding!

I’m not sure if it’s easy to make friends in the U.S. as a whole, but it certainly is at Kennedy Catholic. People are kind and friendly, and I did not experience any racial discrimination. Making friends here was no different from making friends in my own country. Before COVID-19, I did not realize how much I loved school. I’m not going to lie, I do not like studying, but everything at Kennedy Catholic makes me like school.

Language barriers might hide an international student's ability to thoroughly understand things and obstruct their potential to collaborate with peers and teachers. New students also must confront academic change, culture shock and homesickness. Cultural differences and language problems could make it hard to interact with people, so I encourage every international student to prepare and practice before their arrival. Although it might take some time to get comfortable with others, challenge yourself to join the group activities. In addition, my secret to studying English is to hold more patience and perseverance whenever I am presented with the chance to learn. I’m determined to study hard to achieve excellent grades because I believe hard work only pays off.