Alumni Interview | Albert Z, Class of 2022: Becoming a Better Me at Harrow Beijing

“I’m Albert from the Class of 2022, and I’m currently a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, double majoring in Mathematics and Economics.”Sitting in front of the camera, Albert speaks with calm confidence. His eyes reflect a sense of determination and sincerity. His university life is vibrant – not only has he excelled academically, but he also serves as a student government senator, tutors student athletes, and has already set a clear goal for himself: to pursue a PhD in Economics and teach at a university.

Interview with Albert Zhang, Class of 2022, Harrow Beijing

But the road that led him here was far from easy.

“When I first joined Harrow Beijing, I was actually classified as a student requiring academic concern,” Albert recalls the moment he entered the school and openly admits that it was a challenging time.

His English proficiency had not yet met the school’s expectations, and his classroom performance didn’t match the academic standards. Yet he wasn’t discouraged. Instead, he proactively sought help from his teachers – asking for grammar book recommendations, requesting essay prompts, completing writing tasks in his own time, and asking for feedback. “Consistency,” he says, “is key to improving English. Even when progress isn’t immediately visible, you have to push through frustration and stay resilient. Growth will come.”

Thanks to the support and encouragement he received at Harrow Beijing, Albert steadily improved his language skills – from not understanding, to being confident enough to express himself. He deeply appreciates the thought behind the school’s curriculum design, which fosters not just academic performance but overall student growth.

The parallel development of language and subject knowledge acts as a growth accelerator for non-native speakers. Beyond dedicated language classes, every subject teacher placed special emphasis on mastering subject-specific terminology, helping students truly grasp core concepts. In class, using English to answer questions and express ideas became a natural part of daily learning. “At Harrow Beijing,” Albert reflects, “teachers always encouraged us to speak in English. It helped us learn to express ourselves confidently in different settings—an invaluable skill during our student years.”

As Albert says, Harrow Beijing helped him become more confident and outgoing. The academic discipline he developed there enabled him to adapt quickly and stand out after entering university.

Today, Albert is an active member of Vanderbilt’s student community. He represents his residence hall as a senator in the student government, managing an annual budget of approximately USD 200,000 for campus initiatives. He debates with fellow senators, drafts proposals, and launches projects—working alongside other talented peers to ensure that resources benefit the broader student body. In addition, he serves as an academic tutor for student athletes, meeting weekly for 50-minute sessions to review course content and support their academic development.

When asked about the future, Albert already has a clear plan – after finishing his undergraduate studies, he intends to pursue a PhD in Economics and eventually become a university professor, passing on his knowledge and passion to the next generation.

Albert’s story may well mirror the journey of many students. From a newcomer in need of extra support to a high-achieving, multifaceted scholar thriving at a top international university—Harrow Beijing has been more than an academic starting point; it has been a powerful launchpad for his life’s journey.

Curious to see how Harrow Beijing nurtures confident, capable, and globally minded students like Albert?

You are warmly invited to join our August Info Sessions to explore our campus in person and experience the unique spirit of Harrow for yourself!