In his book, “Arrangement of Thought”, Japanese educator Shigehiko Toyama said that there are two styles of education, “airplane” and “hang glider.” An airplane flies in the direction you control while a “hang glider” depends on the wind. This “hang glider” style is becoming the symbol of the Japanese educational system. It is because the class is experienced as one-way education from teachers to students, and students never have a chance to create or make something for themselves. At RIST, students are taught to think, organize and control their future.

Shiori Imasato, Class of 2010:  Hiroshima University, Japan - Integrated Arts and Sciences

"RIST made me who I am today. My successful High School experience developed my knowledge, confidence, and skills. All appreciation to teachers and friends."

Sasipa Boonyarattaglin, Class of 2010: University of Reading, UK - International Relations

 

I am in college now and I am so motivated to do my best. The origin of this motivation was RIST. Work ethics at RIST made me tough, and encouragement from teachers made study enjoyable!

Miho Isobe, Class of 2009: Meji University, Japan - Economics

 

Sun Gu Lee

When I think about my high school life, RIST was my second home. Instead of scolding me for my immature attitude, teachers would trust me and give me another chance. I learned to manage my life and become a successful student at RIST.

Lee, Sun Gu  (transferred from RIST to RIS in grade 12 and graduated 2009): currently on leave from Business Management at Asia Pacific University, Japan, and serving in the Korean-US military liaison force

Had I stayed in Japan, I wouldn’t have lifetime friendship with my classmates and teachers and learned to value different mindsets. I hope to be able to contribute to my country and fellow Japanese the world view they have never experienced.

Kazuma Hattori, Class of 2009: Sophia University, Japan - Law

 

I am thankful to all teachers who made RIST a second home for me. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of school development and growth. I enjoyed serving on the school committees and learned a lot.

Lee, Chang Mok, Class of 2009: Utah State University, USA - Media Studies

 

My memory of RIST: complex thinker, caring global citizen, and English-literate, which you can take with you anywhere in the world.

Ruethairat Trakulchang, Class of 2009: California State University Northridge, USA -Psychology

 

 

With the knowledge and the values we have learned at RIST, we can overcome every obstacle. Success is not found lying in the street. The main thing is to search hard for it and work hard for it! RIST gave us academic foundations and moral awareness to become whoever we want to be! Now, it is up to us to shape our destiny!

Kittanu Supasamsen, Class of 2007: Graduated from Thammasat University, Thailand - First honors distinction in British American Studies

RIST is the story of every shy ESL student who desperately wrestles with the English language; it is the story of a kid who sits in silence because of a fractured self-esteem, thinking she is stupid for not understanding the class novel; it is the story of a boy who leaves his parents behind in Korea to pursue an international education in Thailand; it is the story of the grade 10 girl who dreads reading aloud in class because of her heavy accent; it is the story of how we struggle to learn new concepts while trying to master a new language.

Ingrid Shih-Ying Huang, Class of 2007: Senior year at Assumption University, Thailand - Business & Psychology