The teens have seized control once again! Since we started doing this in 2017, this has become one of my favorite issues of the year. This is also what I feel sets beijingkids apart from the other publications in the city focused on family life and education. The Teen Takeover is also the one issue we do annually where the focus is deep collaboration with Beijing’s international school students, making it the perfect opportunity to experience exactly what’s on their minds.
But, what is on the minds of international teens in the capital? You might think it’s all T Swift, bubble tea, or the new fall line at Uniqlo. While these things are likely in their mental stratosphere, in this issue, they go beyond these critical items and drop some knowledge about what’s important to them in these complicated times and in this very unique place.
Within the pages of this Teen Takeover issue, you’ll find simple tips for getting into shape even if you are a busy international school student (p26), recipes that will allow you to occasionally divert from your waimai habit and act a little more sustainably (p30), and finally we’ll journey to the dusty heart of Gulou for a deliciously creative set of hamburgers at Side Street (p34).
Make sure to also check out Homeward Bound (p52) from Lian S, of the German Embassy School. She wrote about the horrors of the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and the role this one network of animal lovers are playing to help these pets find loving families in countries around the world.
For many of our writers, the one thing that’s just over the horizon is college. This year, we were bombarded with news at just how much a role money and privilege pay in getting into top universities. And, while this may be of no surprise to many, it was only a matter of time before this cash trail would send the story to Beijing. Rylie X from Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) jumped at the opportunity to share her feelings on the matter and how privilege often trumps academic ability on the journey towards higher education.
We ultimately aren’t the only game in town, providing an outlet for student writers. I would like to use this moment to give massive props to independent publications like UNIT-E and INKBEAT Arts, who are also cultivating the next generation of creative writers and reporters. We also try to poach these groups for potential writers, every year when we tackle this issue.
Also, we would like to say that this issue would be nothing without the help of faculty from Beijing’s international schools. They are instrumental in providing us access to their talented student writers and giving us the space needed to help develop the following pieces for our readership. If you or anyone you know, young or old, are interested in contributing to beijingkids, feel free to send us your pitch at magazine@beijing-kids.com. While we may be a trusted resource for Beijing-based families, we are nothing without our readership. We value your generosity in consistently sharing your experiences and wisdom with us, and, of course, your feedback.
This article appeared in the beijingkids July-August 2019 Teen Takeover issue
