Congratulations to Sabrina Xuan, CIC Class of 2024, on her amazing early offers from top universities.
• King’s College London, Culture, Media and Creative Industry
• Newcastle University, Media, Communication and Cultural Studies
• University of Leeds, Global Creative Industry
• University of New South Wales, Commerce
• University of Waterloo, Arts & Business
• Western University, Arts and Humanities
• Western University, Business Management & Organizational Studies
• Total Scholarship Dollars Received $48,500
Sabrina reflects on embracing life’s challenges with joy and confidence, her passion for drama, and her commitment to social impact.
Cherish What We Have Now, Not What We’ve Lost
People always ask me, “Why are you always so happy?” My answer is simple: “Because life is fun.” When I was twelve, my favorite teacher left the school for personal reasons. I felt betrayed since she had promised to accompany me until graduation. My initial reaction was to engage in a cold war with her. However, one day, I suddenly realized how ridiculous this was. Instead of burying myself in anger, I should have been treasuring our last moments together.
That experience taught me the importance of looking at things from a different perspective. Instead of lamenting what we have lost, we should be grateful for what we had before and treasure what we currently have.
Confidence Empowers Me to Pursue My Aspirations
Being confident is one of the strongest aspects of my identity that ensures I dare to do what I want to do and be who I want to be.
I used to be afraid of public speaking. I was once given a biology presentation assignment on asthma. I was panicking before going on stage because my script was simply information I found on Google. Even though I made no mistakes in my presentation, I felt no sense of achievement afterward.
A few months later, I was tasked with talking about a play I was in, something that energized me. This time, I chose to focus on the amazing moments of the play: how I connected with other actors using body language, how I listened to what they were saying instead of just remembering their lines.
When I finally stood in front of the classroom, there was no need for a script. I spoke fluently, loudly, interactively, and most importantly, confidently.
Advocating for Sex Education and Leading the Stage
Motivated by the shortcomings in China’s sex education for teenagers, I took the initiative to establish the Sex Education Group at my high school and served as its leader. During my tenure, we developed the group’s outline and activities, successfully conducting lectures on “Sex and Society” and “Safe Sex”. I firmly believe that sex education is crucial for teenagers, empowering us to establish boundaries and protect ourselves.
As president of our drama club, I managed all aspects of our productions, from stage choreography and lighting to costumes and props. Additionally, I organized drama activities, secured event funding, and liaised with school officials. As an avid drama enthusiast, I’ve participated in productions including “Thunderstorm,” “Where Has the Time Gone,” “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “Rhinoceros in Love.”
I also spearheaded the exhibition “Hello, Tang Village,” aimed at bridging my old high school with the local villagers and celebrating the fusion of two cultures. This was my first experience as chief curator, where I developed the main theme, unified the artistic style across sections, and learned valuable lessons in leadership and responsibility.
The Irreplaceable Role of Drama in My Life
Drama has always been an indispensable element of my life, teaching me the ways we can emotionally and spiritually connect.
I performed in the sketch comedy “Reply 1988,” an experience that deeply resonated with me. It was the first time I truly felt connected to a character, amazed by how drama allowed me to fully immerse myself in someone from a different background and historical period. The invisible connections actors generated on the stage were nothing short of astonishing.
Unlike movies, drama is real, time-limited, and irreproducible. It is filled with human interactions and emotions that spark between actors and between actors and audiences.
In today’s world, where short videos and streaming dominate, the fast-paced lifestyle has left fewer people interested in drama. Yet, for me, drama remains irreplaceable because of its ability to draw people closer together. The invisible connections that we often overlook today are what originally bound us, and they are the qualities we will continue to need in the future.