MANILA, Philippine — When college doors open next school year for Laukya Reddy and Royce Pacibe, the two Fountain International School (FIS) students will stand in good stead, thanks to the academic powerhouse experience imbued in them.

For Reddy, FIS’ strong academic tradition is what drew her parents to enroll her in FIS after they arrived from India. “Of all the schools that we inquired at, FIS is the only school that has two subjects focused on Math and Science per year level,” Reddy says.

Reddy also had to confront something else: studying in an international school. After all, it was her first time to be in a multi-cultural classroom. She had expected to have a hard time, be jeered at but on her first day at school- none of her worst expectations occurred. She was already comfortable with her classroom, teachers and classmates.

On the other hand, the outstanding education is something that Royce Pacibe can attest to. Pacibe was one of the two FIS students that won gold and bronze medals in Physics international competitions in Turkey, Bosnia Herzegovina and Georgia. As a scholar, Pacibe resides in the FIS dormitory, where the FIS culture of openness continues.

“It doesn’ t matter whether you’re Filipino or not. People here are warm and tolerant. They accept everyone for what they are, regardless of culture and nationality,” he says.

Studying in FIS has provided students such as Reddy and Pacibe the opportunity to learn about other cultures, and develop a global perspective which they
needed in this 21st century setting. As Reddy says, “Before I was not really keen on taking new things, exploring but after studying in FIS, if there’s a challenge, I’m the first to say ‘let me try it’. I’m thankful for FIS for giving the push to do better.”