"Boarding in Focus: Voices and Reflections from the top floor of HC "
Writer: Jessica Chen
Editor: Angela Yue
Havergal Boarding has long felt like a mysterious place—almost mythical to those who have never experienced it. However, it is actually so much more than that. Therefore, to better understand what life in HC boarding is really like, I spoke with several members of our Boarding community: Paulina, an exchange student from Mexico; Leni, an exchange student from Switzerland; Ms. Correa, a member of the Boarding Staff and Head of Boarding Activities; and Farah, Boarding Prefect of the year. Let's see what they say about their stories and experiences here in HC Boarding!
Q: How do you feel about being a boarder at Havergal?
Paulina: Being a boarder at havergal I personally love it so much, It is an amazing experience in which you learn so many new things that you did not expect. I will say that being a boarder is not for everyone, sometimes it can be very hard and overwhelming, and even though boarding has a lot of things to offer it also has a lot of things to improve like any other boarding school. However, I would say my experience here is so amazing and I love being a boarder.
Q: What’s the weirdest or most random thing that’s ever happened in boarding?
Leni: It is still really funny to think about it— during my first few weeks in boarding I almost set off the school's fire alarm. This happened because I put my heating pillow into the microwave for 2-3 minutes. I underestimated the strength of the microwave, because at home I am used to having a weaker microwave than here. Luckily nothing bad happened, except that my heating pillow is now burned and not usable anymore.
Q: What is one activity in boarding that always excites you?
Ms. Correa: I love Boarding because of the sense of community. It is a space where students and staff come together, learning from one another. It is a place where countries stop being just locations on a map and instead become someone’s home. In terms of my favourite activity— I love watching boarders on move-in day, seeing them navigate the beginning of their journey, discovering their new home and connecting with the people around them.
Q: What’s the most “boarder moment” you’ve had that you’ll never forget?
Farah: I remember in my first weekend at boarding, it all started to feel real. I had an overwhelming sense of homesickness and felt anxious starting something new. I went into the common room and found people playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Switch connected to the TV. I sat nearby, trying to distract myself and hold back my tears. The next thing I knew, they all squeezed onto the couch with me, like it was the most natural thing in the world, and helped guide me through my first week in a new environment. That was the first of many “boarder moments.” It didn’t take long for me to realize I’d joined a place where people genuinely show up for each other.
Thank you to all our participants who generously shared their stories and reflections.
Hopefully, after hearing from our boarders and staff, you may begin to see the bigger picture on what life at HC Boarding truly entails. From my own experience as a boarder, I have come to understand that HC Boarding is not merely a place to sleep or study; it is, in fact, a community that challenges you, supports you, and helps you grow. While there are for sure countless challenges, I believe that these challenges are exactly what makes our boarding experience so meaningful and rewarding. I am proud to be part of HC Boarding and grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect and grow alongside such a remarkable community. In the end, I believe that all of these precious memories will come together to shape who we are today.