Vicky
A first-person record of growing up between two cultures.
China — Middle School
The world I grew up in: a familiar system, familiar routines, and a clear idea of what school was supposed to look like.
A New Country
A new language. A new culture. A completely different education system — all at once.
The First Day
A new school, new faces, and a schedule I didn't fully understand yet.
What does all this mean?
GPA. Credits. Honors. AP. Counselors. A-G. The answers existed — but they were scattered everywhere, and I didn't even know which questions to ask.
Learning
Asking one question. Then another. Then another. Slowly, the system started to make sense.
Verge Lab
Documenting everything I learn, so the next student's journey can be a little easier than mine.
More from Vicky
Guides and stories this writer has published on Verge Lab.
What should I do if I face discrimination in the U.S.?
Facing discrimination can be confusing, especially when you are new to the United States. Knowing how to respond can help you protect yourself, stay confident, and get help when necessary.
4minute · Life in America SchoolWhat Is GPA?
If you're coming from a different education system, GPA can seem confusing at first. The good news: the basic idea is simple, and you don't need to master it on day one.
6 min read · School SchoolWhat Is an AP Class?
AP sounds important, and everyone seems to be taking them. But more AP classes is not automatically better — the right number depends on you.
7 min read · School SchoolWhat Does a School Counselor Actually Do?
If you went to school in China, you may be looking for the American equivalent of a 班主任. A counselor is not that — and that difference matters.
6 min read · School SchoolWhat Are Credits?
In the American system you don't pass a year — you collect credits. Once you know the number you need, the whole system makes more sense.
5 min read · School SchoolWhat Is A-G?
If you go to high school in California, you'll hear 'A-G' constantly. It's simply the list of courses the UC and CSU systems require you to complete.
6 min read · School StoryI came from China after middle school. In those first weeks, I had plenty of questions — about grades, teachers, clubs, and how everything connected. I started writing the answers down as I found them. That notebook became BRIDGE.
China → United States
Read the storyRead someone else’s journey.
Everyone here is figuring it out in their own way.