Page 19 - QMSConnectionsMagazine-2020-21-digital

Boston
Boston
Bound
Bound

SUSANNA CAI (‘20) & RAINIA ZHANG (‘20)

Two of the strongest skills I auditioned for entrance into want to give up,” she admits.
that a boarding school the school’s Vocal Program for Her advice for future QMS
can assist young people in 2020 and I was accepted. I grads who want to head south
building are independence and even earned a scholarship!” to study in America? “You have
courage. For QMS graduates For Susanna’s classmate and to be positive all the time and
Susanna Cai (‘20) and Rainia fellow QMS boarder, Rainia, you will find it hard. Just keep
Zhang (‘20), acquiring these Boston’s lure came through her in mind how much you want to
strengths through their time desire to study communications study in the US and you will get
at QMS certainly aided them and marketing. “I have always there.”
in actualizing their own wanted to study in the USA,” Even though a COVID-19
paths, both aimed directly at she explains. “Originally I had global pandemic is impacting
“Beantown,” aka Boston, MA, considered film production, the girls’ smooth transition
USA. but found the program outlines to Boston, they both remain
Susanna shares that, prior to to be too technical for what positive about experiencing
her arrival at QMS, she had no I wanted, but, I really like a full in-person launch of
idea that music would become communications and writing. their studies in the Cradle
her post-secondary subject At the beginning of Grade of Liberty. These classmates
focus. She was not even sure 12, I discovered that Boston intend to stay close friends as
she wanted to attend university, University’s communications their college campuses are in
yet through immersing herself program was listed as one of close proximity to each other
in the School’s music program, the top in North America. It is and the energetic restaurant
she realized that singing was a big city and that excited me.” atmosphere will keep them
her passion. By participating in Zhang’s path to Boston U entertained.
everything from concert choir would not be a smooth one When asked what tip they
to rock band and private piano though, as a strong SAT score would share with future grads,
lessons, Susanna was hooked. was required for entry. Rainia these Boston bound alumni
When she learned about a studied hard and wrote the agree with each other—that
music summer camp hosted exam four times, earning with a little courage and focus,
by Berklee College of Music her highest mark on her final “you can do whatever you
in Boston, Susanna enrolled. attempt. “It almost made me want!”
“During the summer camp, I
discovered the different genres
of music I most enjoyed and
met wonderful friends while
I was there,” she smiles. “So,

You have to be positive all the
time and you will find it hard.
Just keep in mind how much you
want to study in the US and you
“ will get there.

CONNECTIONS 17