Student Spotlight: Yuchen Ye – A Journey of Growth and Ambition
Meet Yuchen Ye, a junior at Southwest Preparatory School - Southeast who is making the most of her time as an exchange student. Originally from China, Yuchen has embraced the challenges of living and studying in the U.S., and her journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
"I’m from China, and I’m now a junior in high school," Yuchen shared. "I decided to become an exchange student because I wanted to enrich my life experiences. Leaving my home country and my parents for the first time was a big challenge for me, but I knew it was a step toward improving myself and becoming a better person."
Yuchen's decision to study at Southwest Preparatory School was influenced by her host mom, who works here. Her transition into life at Southwest Prep has been surprisingly smooth. "It wasn't too difficult for me," she said. "Everybody here is friendly and always provides what I need."
Despite completing two years of school in just one, Yuchen's time management and work ethic kept her on track. "I want to leave myself a special memory in America. I'm a hard-working person and want everything to be perfect," he explained. "I set small goals with specific time slots, and deadlines motivate me a lot."
One of Yuchen's favorite memories at Southwest Prep was Halloween. "It was so fun seeing everyone in their different costumes, and the Truck or Treat event was a blast!" she recalled with a smile.
Among the many people who have had a positive impact on Yuchen’s time at Southwest Prep, two stand out. "There's no doubt that my host mom and my financial math teacher, Ms. Allen, made a big difference," she said. "I’ve learned so much in her class, things that no one in China has ever taught me. Now I know more about the real world outside of school."
Looking ahead, Yuchen has big plans for the future. "After graduation, I’m going to college in Missouri," she shared with excitement. "I’m looking forward to continuing my education and working toward my goals."
For other exchange students or students striving to achieve big things, Yuchen has a simple piece of advice: "Keep going and never give up. You came here because you have ambition to achieve something, so just do it!"
As she prepares to leave Southwest Prep, Yuchen will miss her teachers and classmates the most. "I’m an introverted person, but everyone here really helped me adapt to this more extroverted environment," she said, expressing gratitude for the support she's received.
Before she leaves, Yuchen has a message for the Southwest Prep community: "I really appreciate everybody who helped me adapt to this new environment. Thank you all for your support!"
Yuchen's journey is a reminder that with ambition, perseverance, and the right support, anything is possible.
We’re excited to see all that Yuchen will achieve in the future!