Courage, resilience & standing sure

MIKE HOWELL, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS & JASON LI, YEAR 12 STUDENT

At our Boarders’ Valedictory Dinner, all our Year 12 boarders shared heartfelt reflections on their time at The Geelong College. A standout moment was Jason’s speech for his raw honesty and experience as a boarder.

Jason’s Li’s journey to The Geelong College began with a remarkable act of courage.

Leaving behind his home, family, and everything familiar in Shanghai, he first attended Avalon College to prepare him for secondary school before joining the boarding community at The Geelong College at just 13 years old.

Adjusting to life in a new country with a different language, culture, and way of life is a daunting challenge, especially for a Year 7 student. Gareth Gilby, Head of Mackie House, still remembers Jason’s arrival.

“His suitcase seemed bigger than he was!” he recalls.

It seemed Jason had no sooner settled in, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

He returned home to China to be with his family, and re-enrolled at his old school. He continued to study, with the goal of returning to Mackie House as soon as he as able. However, like all students of 2020, he faced a prolonged period of uncertainty.

Some 18 months later Australia’s borders re-opened, and Jason was able to return to the boarding house.

Although he readjusted to school life, there were times he struggled with his mental health.

Jason’s resilience and the unwavering support of the boarding community became a turning point in helping him find strength and hope again, and he was able to successfully complete his studies.

When Gareth Gilby, introduced Jason to speak at the Boarders Valedictory, he reflected on his journey.

“Jason is a kind and generous young man who embraced his leadership role and was a wonderful mentor and support for our younger international students.

“He has left a lasting impact on the boarding community.”

On the following page, we share Jason’s Valedictory speech to his peers.

It is a powerful testament to Jason’s strength and courage. It is both vulnerable and honest, shedding light on a topic many still find difficult to discuss.

Jason has shared his experience of life as an international student in the Boarding House.

To watch, visit: bit.ly/TGC_JasonLi

“I’m Jason Li and I am going to reflect on my journey by reading the script…

that I've left in the Boarding House!It’s OK, I always lose my stuff. I lose things all the time. I lost my passport earlier this year, my phone once or twice each semester, my laptop charger almost every month, and I forget my glasses every single day.

My parents say life is a box of chocolates, and maybe that’s why I love chocolate. But what I’ve also figured out is that life is a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re going to lose next. That’s why I value every day so much. I enjoy each day fully, or it just slips by. I never know when I’m going to lose it.

My parents also say life is full of challenges. Of course, life is full of challenges. Day school is full of challenges, boarding is full of challenges. Making friends with people who speak a different language is a challenge. It’s hard. It’s so hard.

And for those who don’t know, at the end of last year, I was almost diagnosed as depressed.

That was a heavy moment for me. The feeling of depression is like being tied by your feet to a heavy rock and thrown into the ocean. You’re sinking, surrounded by darkness, sadness, and hopelessness, and there’s little you can do to break free.

Until a beam of light shone through –the boarding house.

It was Mr Gilby, trying to find a scarf I lost one night at dinner, a special gift from my parents, searching through the whole boarding house.

It was Miss Jeffrey, always saying “Have a nice day, Jason,” “All the best,” or “Good luck” every time I left, or telling me it’s OK whenever I forgot my glasses.

It was Mr Hodge, one month ago, hurrying to my door, knocking and asking, “Jason, are you alright?” He looked worried because he knew I wasn’t feeling great.

It was Mr Schuyler, saying “Good job,” “Well done,” “Good man” all the time – even if I was just moving milk from Miss Jeffrey’s office to the main fridge.

It was Mr Cheatley, appreciating whatever I did, encouraging me to do more, and even asking me to teach him how to use the coffee machine.

It was Miss Sunderland, cooking eggs on a Saturday morning, making breakfast something special.

It was Mr McKie and Mr Dowling, who I knew would always be there at night if I ever needed help.

It was everyone—so many small acts, lifting me up bit by bit. When I look back at that dark ocean, I can see so many hands pulling me up towards the light.

As I finally found my glasses to read the script and finish my speech, I’m putting a wonderful full stop on my high school journey and preparing to keep writing my story in the next, exciting chapter of my life.

Thank you.