The Robinson family represents a typical expat family at YCIS Beijing (Yew Chung International School), a long-established international school for expatriate children.
In 2023, the Robinsons relocated to Beijing due to Mr. Robinson’s job transfer. They were originally supposed to move from the US earlier, but Covid disrupted their plans. However, Tara’s enthusiasm for cross-cultural life never waned. As a former college tennis player who earned a scholarship, her university years training alongside teammates from Sweden, Brazil, and Australia gave her a love for global exploration. “We were so excited we couldn’t sleep!” she recalled with a laugh. Her athlete’s adaptability fueled her anticipation for this transcontinental move.
Mr. Robinson arrived in Beijing four months ahead of the family to settle into his new job and secure housing. He then began an intensive school search for their son. The couple agreed on three core criteria: bilingual education, proximity to their Financial Street residence, and a moderate campus size to ease Brenden’s adjustment. After visiting schools like the International School of Beijing (ISB), Canadian International School, and Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), YCIS stood out. The school’s bilingual curriculum deeply resonated with the family, as they viewed language as a cultural bridge. “Learning Chinese was the top priority,” Tara explained. Upon arrival, she committed to twice-weekly online Chinese lessons. YCIS’s campus size also reassured them – Brenden’s previous private school in Louisiana was small, and they worried a sprawling campus might overwhelm him.
Brenden’s journey in learning Chinese became the heartwarming centerpiece of the family’s adaptation to Beijing. Before moving, the family had zero Chinese language foundation. Tara vividly remembers their initial anxiety, but her son’s progress now astonishes her.
At home, Brenden took charge of a critical task: ordering food delivery. “He’d mischievously snatch the phone from my hand!” Tara chuckled, describing how he insisted on communicating with delivery staff in Chinese. From stumbling beginnings to relatively fluent conversations, Brenden now independently confirms orders, provides addresses, and expresses thanks. “It’s a leap from zero to one,” Tara marveled, noting how his confidence has shattered earlier fears of making mistakes or causing offense.
This growth extends beyond home. During a winter ski trip in Chongli, Brenden fearlessly interacted with a Mandarin-speaking coach. When encountering unfamiliar terms, he’d pause to use translation apps but never shied away from communication. “He didn’t panic at all,” Tara emphasized, her voice brimming with pride. She believes these real-world challenges have honed his adaptability and deepened his understanding that “language bridges hearts.”
Tara credits this transformation to Brenden’s experience at YCIS. The tight-knit community ensures every child is noticed and encouraged, even for small achievements. “This environment,” she said, “fosters confidence and motivation.”
Academically, Brenden shines. He now studies Chinese Level 2 (equivalent to HSK Level 3), surpassing Tara’s own progress. “He’s already outpaced me!” she admitted. Brenden often shares classroom assignments with his mother – dictations, readings, even correcting her stroke order. Teachers praise his writing as “only occasionally missing a stroke,” and his recitation of Chinese poems at school events moved Tara to tears. Standing before audiences, he barely glances at notes – a testament to his linguistic mastery.
Living in the Financial Street area, the Robinsons navigate Beijing’s notorious traffic – a 35-minute morning commute stretches to over an hour by evening. Yet they’ve woven a vibrant life. On weekends, they find themselves exploring the Baita Temple Cultural Area and hutongs around Houhai, which Tara calls “the soul of old Beijing.” Food plays a starring role, with dumplings reigning as the family favorite. Brenden’s improving Chinese even enhances their culinary adventures – he confidently converses with shop staff, deepening the family’s immersion in the city’s rhythms.
Tara’s commitment extends beyond her son. She immerses herself in parent volunteering – from handing out ice cream at sports days to organizing multicultural events, blending British pancakes with Louisiana Mardi Gras traditions. Yet this journey wasn’t smooth. Early on, she attended a volunteer meeting conducted entirely in Mandarin. “I just listened quietly,” she said, recalling her nervous but determined demeanor. Persistence paid off – she’s now an active member of the parent committee. Inspired by her, more new families, especially post-pandemic expatriates from diverse nations, have joined school activities.
A former professional tennis player, Tara recently helped launch YCIS’s U16 tennis training program, coaching students in structured drills. Though Brenden prefers books to sports, this hasn’t dampened Tara’s passion for contributing. Her enthusiasm embodies the spirit of YCIS’s historic international community – parent involvement here transcends personal gain.
With two years remaining on her husband’s contract (extendable by one more year), Tara sees Chinese as a lifelong skill. “It will forever be part of us,” she said, vowing to continue learning even if they return to the US. Brenden, however, has no plans to leave. “I don’t want to go back to America at all!” he told his mother. Excelling academically, he’s been invited to YCIS’s STEM Plus program. Combined with his close-knit circle of friends from Vietnam, Pakistan, Korea, Australia, and China, he’s deeply attached to his life here.
For the Robinsons, Beijing is no longer just a corporate assignment – it’s a home filled with belonging, growth, and friendship. From bridging early language gaps to uniting a multicultural community, Tara’s advice to newcomers is succinct yet profound: “Step out of your comfort zone – it’s worth it.” Brenden’s journey vividly proves that seeds of confidence sprout in daily takeout calls, classroom dictations, and the courage to say, “Mom, I’ll handle it.”
YCIS Beijing, as Tara puts it, is the “cultural incubator” nurturing their courage, fostering cross-cultural curiosity, and helping these roots grow deep.
Images: YCIS
