新南威尔士大学，我来了！
新南威尔士大学是澳大利亚八校联盟的创始成员之一，位列2025QS世界大学排名第19位，2025U.S.News世界大学排名第36位，多个学科排名澳大利亚第一，其中5个学科进入全球前20，20个学科进入全球前50。
何瑞楠，2025届枫叶世界学校课程毕业生，被澳大利亚新南威尔士大学、莫纳什大学、西澳大学录取。
时光荏苒，转眼间，我在枫叶校园已度过了整整七个春秋。这里承载着我从青涩少年迈向成熟青年的全部记忆，初高中的点滴已融入血脉。
犹记初入枫叶时的雀跃与憧憬。面试后，老师带领我们探索校园：宏大的教学楼、温馨的宿舍楼、飘香的食堂窗口……一切都充满好奇。可惜当时年纪尚小，未能用镜头记录下那份初见的悸动。
初中四年，知识的积累固然重要，但情感的体验更为深刻。班级如同流动的驿站，迎来了新伙伴，也送别了旧友。起初，我不解为何“大多数朋友只存在于一个阶段。”如今才明白，分离是成长的常态，它教会我更珍惜当下的情谊，也让我理解，即使联系渐疏，那些共同走过的时光，永远温暖着彼此的人生旅程。这份领悟，是枫叶赠予我的宝贵财富。
升入高中，少了老师时刻的督促，自律的挑战随之而来。坦白说，高一的我尚未完全适应，成绩并不亮眼。那时，动漫、篮球、游戏占据了不少精力，加之疫情带来的特殊学习环境，让我一度忽视了学业。回首这段时光，虽有遗憾，但正是这段“贪玩”的经历，让我深刻认识到自律的重要性，为后续的奋起直追埋下了伏笔。
高二迎来了转折。我迷上了骑行，相册里满是沿途风景与爱车的身影。更难忘的是加入学生会生活部。从音乐节到运动会，大大小小的活动里，都有我们忙碌而充实的身影。在学长学姐的带领下，我不断解锁新技能。印象最深的是篮球班赛时操作爆米花机——从初觉危险到熟练驾驭，看着粒粒饱满的爆米花在玻璃罩内欢腾， 那份成就感至今难忘。这些经历，极大地锻炼了我的责任感和实践能力。
高三下学期，“食物与烹饪”课程成了我最期待的时光。在这里，我不仅掌握了丰富的厨房英语词汇，更学会了烹饪中英美食的精髓——从完美的英式早餐到地道的中国菜，再到鸡蛋的百变做法。这门课远超趣味，它赋予我独立生活的底气。想象未来留学生活，无需顿顿昂贵的餐馆或不健康的快餐，亲手烹制的美食将是慰藉乡愁的良方。每周的烹饪课，再厨房解决午餐，品尝自己的劳动成果，那份满足感难以言表。
站在毕业的门槛，升学目标已然清晰。经过与升学指导中心老师们的多次沟通，我最终决定前往澳大利亚蒙纳士大学深造。此刻，我正全力冲刺雅思目标，并计划考取国际驾照——这些准备，不仅是为了节省开支，更是为了再异国他乡，延续枫叶赋予我的那份独立与探索精神。
七年枫叶路，是知识增长的阶梯，更是人格塑造的熔炉。从懵懂好奇到清晰规划，从自律不足到勇于担当，每一步成长都离不开这片沃土的滋养。那些关于友谊的领悟、在活动中收获的历练、在厨房里找到的自信，都将成为我未来征途上最坚实的行囊。告别熟悉的校园，心中充满不舍，但更多的是对未来的笃定。感谢枫叶，为我插上梦想的翅膀。我将带着在这里收获的一切，自信地飞向更广阔的天空！
He Ruinan, graduate of the Maple Leaf World School Program Class of 2025, admitted to the University of New South Wales, Monash University, and the University of Western Australia.
Time flies. In the blink of an eye, seven full years have passed since I first stepped onto the Maple Leaf campus. This place holds all my memories of growing from a naive adolescent into a mature young adult—every moment of middle and high school now flows in my veins.
I still vividly remember the excitement and anticipation I felt when I first entered Maple Leaf. After the interview, a teacher led us to explore the campus: the grand teaching buildings, the cozy dormitories, the fragrant cafeteria windows... Everything sparked my curiosity. It’s a pity I was too young then to capture that first encounter on camera.
During my four years of middle school, knowledge accumulation was important, but emotional experiences left deeper marks. The class felt like a flowing station, welcoming new friends and bidding farewell to old ones. Back then, I didn’t understand why "most friendships only lasted for a season." Now I realize that farewells are part of growth. They taught me to cherish present bonds while understanding that even if connections fade, the time we journeyed together will forever warm our paths. This insight is a precious gift Maple Leaf gave me.
Entering high school meant less constant supervision from teachers, and self-discipline became the real challenge. Honestly, in Grade 10, I hadn’t fully adapted—my grades were far from impressive. Anime, basketball, and video games took up much of my energy, and the unique learning environment during the pandemic led me to neglect my studies. Looking back, though I have regrets, that "playful" phase made me deeply appreciate the importance of self-discipline and planted the seeds for my later comeback.
Grade 11 marked a turning point. I fell in love with cycling—my photo gallery filled with landscapes and my beloved bike. Even more unforgettable was joining the Life Department of the Student Council. From music festivals to sports meets, we were busy yet fulfilled in every event. Under the guidance of seniors, I constantly unlocked new skills. The most vivid memory was operating a popcorn machine during a class basketball tournament—from initial caution to skilled control, watching plump kernels pop merrily under the glass dome. That sense of accomplishment stays with me. These experiences honed my sense of responsibility and practical abilities.
In Grade 12, the "Food and Cooking" class became my weekly highlight. Here, I not only mastered rich kitchen-related English vocabulary but also learned the essence of cooking Chinese and British dishes—from the perfect full English breakfast to authentic Chinese cuisine, and even versatile egg recipes. More than just fun, this course empowered me for independent living. Imagining my future abroad, I wouldn’t need expensive restaurants or unhealthy fast food daily—homemade meals would soothe both hunger and homesickness. Cooking lunch in class each week and tasting my creations brought indescribable satisfaction.
Standing at the threshold of graduation, my path forward is clear. After multiple discussions with the University Counseling Office, I’ve decided to pursue further studies at Monash University in Australia. Right now, I’m striving toward my IELTS goal and planning to obtain an international driving permit—preparations not just to save money, but to carry forward the independence and exploratory spirit Maple Leaf instilled in me, even in a foreign land.
These seven years at Maple Leaf were not just a staircase of academic growth but a crucible of personal growth. From curious innocence to clear planning, from lacking discipline to embracing responsibility—every step of growth was nurtured by this fertile ground. The wisdom about friendship, the resilience gained through activities, and the confidence found in the kitchen will become the sturdiest baggage for my journey ahead.
As I bid farewell to this familiar campus, nostalgia fills my heart—but even stronger is certainty for the future. Thank you, Maple Leaf, for giving me wings to chase my dreams. With all I’ve gained here, I’ll soar confidently into the vast sky ahead!
