“It’s Not You It’s Me” – Transitions Into Elite Schooling
Entering an elite schooling environment can have a profound effect on individual perspective and identity. The experience of transitioning from a public education to an elite private education can shift not only a student’s understanding of the world around them, but of themselves. There can be tremendous changes, like a realignment of values or expansion of worldview, but there are also small tweaks–what clothing you wear and what slang you use. These changes ultimately transform an individual, shaping them to be ‘elite.’ But what happens once you make this transition? And how are you distanced from your former peers and values?
Coming to Colby from a small montessori public school in the midwest, I experienced great shifts in my individual self, and the way I perceive the world around me. I was introduced to new concepts: what is a “Country Day School,” and did kids really go to those fancy boarding schools in the movies? I began to conform to Colby’s culture, I didn’t completely change, but I saw shifts. I filled my cup from the dining hall with “soda” instead of “pop,” and looked online for a sale on boots called “Blundstones.” Moreover, I began to think about things on a macro-level, applying theories to realities and practicing that ever so important skill of “critical thinking.” After a semester at Colby, I returned home for winter break to realize I had experienced a lot of personal change. I spoke with big words and talked to my parents about philosophy, heck I even bought a ski pass. These changes created distance between me and my peers from home, consciously or subconsciously.
Kayla, a student at Olive Grove Academy–an elite private boarding school in Jordan, experienced a similar transition when entering the elite private school from her former public school in Jordan. Kayla prided Olive Grove Academy on educating their students on issues of global importance, ensuring the students had multicultural opportunities and immersed themselves in diverse perspectives. Kayla expressed how her entire worldview had shifted since attending Olive Grove. She now considered multiple religious, racial, and ethnic perspectives when investigating global issues, issues in her own country, and issues of the Arab region. After leaving her public school, Kayla found her life goals, aspirations, and standards changed. Olive Grove Academy changed not only her individual perspective and personal standards, but also the trajectory of her future. When asked about old friends from her public school, Kayla says she can no longer “relate to them.” They don’t understand Jordanian issues the same way she does, and they don’t have the same life focuses as her:
“You see, our mentalities now are really different. If I stayed in [my old school], I would have been in their shoes. I would have said the same thing. So you see, I can’t even argue with them because they won’t understand what I’m talking about. And I will certainly not understand what they’re thinking.”
Kayla perceived an obvious distance between herself and her former peers, a distance established through her experience at Olive Grove Academy. The experience of elite education has altered her perspective and understanding of the world so deeply she no longer relates to, or understands, her former peers. For Kayla, this increased distance has produced a sense of superiority over her former classmates. Kayla has a new understanding not only of the world around her, but of her position in this world now that she benefits from an elite education. This position is one that benefits from social and cultural capital. Kayla’s future no longer aligns with those of her former classmates. She is prepared to become a successful global leader. Kayla finds security and superiority in this acknowledgement. Transitioning to an elite education at Olive Grove Academy granted her with this security and superiority.
Kayla understands her position in society in relation to her old friends. Her experience at Olive Grove Academy has shown her what she is capable of when endowed with a global elite education: an education that stresses diverse perspectives and global connectivity. She holds the social and cultural capital to completely diverge from her former peers, intellectually and physically.
