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United Lisbon International School

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Exploring What It’s Like to Be a Middle Schooler
Emma Gonzalez
 

Middle school students at ULIS share how entrepreneurship, science, art, and multicultural experiences help them grow academically, creatively, and personally within a supportive school community.

 

We recently dropped by Building B to speak with three astute high school students about their experiences at school, asked them about the subjects they enjoy the most, and what makes studying here a one-of-a-kind educational experience. From left to right: Daria, Mark, and Stanislav.

Education Beyond the Classroom

Daria, who has been at the school for three years, shared that one of the topics she has enjoyed most this year is entrepreneurship. Through this subject, she has been able to investigate and research potential business avenues and opportunities, examine innovative marketing techniques and improve her dialogue and communication skills in English, which she believes are valuable assets that will help her in the future. She also explained that language support played an important role in helping her grow more confident in her learning journey.

For Daria, studying in a multicultural environment enriches the educational experience. She believes that learning alongside students from different nationalities allows everyone to gain not only academic knowledge but also a deeper understanding of different cultures. School festivals and other initiatives, such as Chinese New Year celebrations, help bring students together and solidify relationships. For her, belonging means feeling supported, heard, and respected within the school community.

Discovering Interests Through Practice

Mark has also been part of the school community for three years. One of the things he enjoys most is the school environment itself, especially the facilities such as the theatre and basketball court. While geography is his favourite subject, he also enjoys physical education and science because they allow him to challenge himself in different ways.

Science lessons are a highlight for Mark, because of their practical nature. He enjoys taking part in experiments that help students understand how things work in real life, from observing scientific processes to exploring questions like “why smoke rises”. These hands-on experiences make learning more engaging and memorable.

Creative Minds at ULIS

Stanislav, who joined the school in Grade 4, spoke about how much he enjoys art classes. Currently, students are working on trio artwork projects, where they create pieces inspired by one another. Ian chose guitar as his theme, combining his passion for music with visual creativity.

Although he studies music outside school with his private tutor, Ian has also enjoyed music lessons at school, particularly a recent ukulele class. Looking back on his time here, he feels the school has grown significantly, particularly in terms of facilities. The sports facilities, including the large football field, are among his favourite spaces on campus.

Talking with these students in Building B offered a meaningful glimpse into the everyday experiences that define life at the school. Whether through entrepreneurship, science experiments, or artistic expression, each student described an environment that encourages curiosity, personal growth, and collaboration. Most importantly, their stories reflect a strong sense of belonging, a community where students feel supported as they learn, explore, and grow together.

  • Student Stories & Insights