Growth Beyond Borders: Portia's Gordonstoun Exchange Experience

At St George’s, Round Square exchanges offer students the opportunity to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace new cultures, and grow into globally minded young leaders. For Grade 12 student Portia Ikela, her exchange to Gordonstoun in the United Kingdom became an unforgettable journey of personal growth, resilience, friendship, and discovery.

Learning to Say “Yes” to New Opportunities

Reflecting on her experience, Portia says one of the greatest lessons she learnt was the value of embracing every opportunity with a positive attitude.

“When I approach situations with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude, I’m able to make the most out of almost anything. Even moments that don’t seem enjoyable at first can turn into something memorable if you’re open to them.”

Living and studying in a completely different environment challenged her to adapt quickly and remain open-minded, a skill that lies at the heart of the Round Square spirit.

A Muddy Memory That Became a Highlight

One of Portia’s most memorable moments came during Dark Skies, a school-organised running and cycling race. When her boarding house needed someone to complete a 3km cycling leg, she volunteered despite her hesitation. What happened next was not exactly part of the plan.

“I ended up being flung off my bike into a mud pit,” she laughs. “But it became one of the funniest and most bonding experiences of the exchange.”

What could have been an embarrassing moment instead turned into a memory filled with laughter, teamwork, and friendship, reminding her that some of the best experiences come from taking risks.

Discovering Common Ground Across Cultures

Being immersed in an international boarding school environment gave Portia a new perspective on teamwork and cultural understanding. Surrounded daily by students from different countries and backgrounds, she discovered how much people have in common despite growing up worlds apart. Conversations over shared meals were among the most meaningful moments of the exchange, as students shared stories about life back home, traditions, and everyday experiences.

“Experiences I thought were unique to my own life were just as normal to someone else.”

These interactions reinforced the Round Square ideals of international understanding and inclusivity.

Adapting to Boarding School Life

One of the biggest adjustments for Portia was adapting to the structured routine of boarding school life at Gordonstoun. Coming from a day school environment, she initially found the tightly scheduled days challenging.

“At first, it felt restrictive, like there was no time for myself. But over time, I learnt how to adapt and make that structure work for me.”

Encouraging Others to Take the Leap

For students considering participating in Round Square activities, Portia’s advice is simple but powerful:

“Stop overthinking and just do it. You’re not meant to feel completely comfortable or confident all the time. The whole point is to push yourself, whether that’s physically, socially, or emotionally.”

Her exchange experience at Gordonstoun was ultimately about far more than attending a different school. It was about stepping into unfamiliar situations, building lifelong connections, and discovering new strengths within herself.

Through opportunities like these, Round Square continues to empower students to become courageous, compassionate, and globally aware individuals ready to make a difference in the world.