By Jason Pyngrope
My father, a Khasi from Meghalaya being employed in the corporate sector, moving has become an integral part of our lives as a family. In the past 11 years, I have undergone the rigorous and sometimes challenging process of relocation to different countries four times, with each move being a significant transition in my personal and educational life. Moving from India to Myanmar at the tender age of six threw me headfirst into an altogether new cultural and academic environment. The American school that I attended in Myanmar helped me learn to adapt to new modes of learning and interaction—conquering the difficult task of fashioning new friends and understanding different educational frameworks. This phase in itself was very formative for laying down the groundwork on how to adapt and thrive in varied situations.
Another level of complexity was added by the move to Norway in 2018. It was a British school, with its curriculum being quite different from the American system in which I had just begun to find my way. Not only was I to wrestle with the weather and language environment, but there was an even bigger problem: strict academic requirements. This change of curriculum allowed me to nurture different approaches toward education and further my intellect—because in the British educational system, much critical thinking and deep analysis were required. This phase of my life was about not just learning through textbooks but also about understanding diverse perspectives and enhancing problem-solving abilities.
In the middle of 2020, I made a mid-term move to Bangkok, where I was enrolled in another British School. This sudden shift required quick adjustments if I were to continue my string of preparation for the IGCSE examinations amidst new surroundings. The intensity required for such preparation demanded meticulous planning and an in-depth understanding of the learned subjects. This is where I additionally refined the skill of self-discipline and time management since there must be a balance between coursework and examination prep. The international setting of Bangkok gave me exposure to a mosaic mix of cultures and ideas that further enhanced my learning experience and broadened my worldview.
The most recent one, in 2023, was the move to Qatar, where I am currently inside an American schoolhouse immersed in the delivery of the IB curriculum. Globally, the IB is renowned for rigorous and holistic education that goes beyond academic learning to include community service and personal development. This curriculum enabled me to think globally and act locally in producing a balance between academic rigour and social responsibility. The other cultural enrichment found in a diversified student body is opportunities for collaborative learning and cross-cultural friendship in Qatar. I was geographically mobile and a migrant moving through different educational landscapes, each carrying challenges and rewards of its own. It has been teaching me resilience, adaptability, and focus toward a world perspective by competing academically among foreign peers.
With each new relocation, lessons learned about myself and the world enlightened me that I had to adjust fast and not at a marked waste of time and energy. My experiences through various school systems have endowed me with a versatile skill set and an education profile unique in itself, being shaped by different global influences. This has been a challenging and enriching journey of change and adjustment. It instilled in me respect for diversity and strong skills to sail through the complexities of a globalized world. Further in my education, with these experiences in lifetime learning, I appreciate all that shaped me into a well-rounded, internationally-minded person for standing up to challenges and taking on opportunities lying ahead.
(Jason Pyngrope is a 16 year old student currently studying IB Year 2 (equivalent to Class 12) at the American School at Doha, Qatar. He is interested in studying Economics at the undergrad and higher education level).