A reflection from Carrie Feng ‘23
Choosing Episcopal was one of the best decisions I ever made because it offered exactly what I was looking for in a boarding school: a 100% boarding experience, proximity to Washington, D.C., and unparalleled opportunities. Living with my peers in a 100% boarding environment transformed the school into a true home, where we built lifelong friendships and grew together. I remember traveling across the country to spend half of my spring break training with my rowing team, and those moments solidified the strong sense of community unique to a close-knit boarding school. Episcopal brought students together from around the world, creating an environment rich in cultural exchange. As an international student from Hong Kong, this was incredibly important to me. From celebrating Oktoberfest and Hispanic Heritage Month to Lunar New Year and Diwali, I experienced firsthand the diversity and beauty of different cultures all in one place.
Being close to Washington, D.C. also added an exciting layer to our education. The city’s rich cultural, historical, and political landscape added a dynamic learning element beyond the classroom. Weekend trips to Old Town for ice cream and sightseeing became treasured memories while visiting the National Gallery of Art to see Manet’s Railway piece brought our French lessons to life. Episcopal's location provided us with unique experiences like internships in Georgetown, attending an oral argument at the Supreme Court, and even spending an afternoon at the trampoline park working on a physics lab to understand Newton’s Third Law of Motion. This access fueled our intellectual curiosity and broadened our perspectives.
The structured support from Episcopal’s faculty was nothing short of exceptional. Dorm parents, advisors, and teachers went above and beyond to ensure our well-being and success. Regular meetings with my advisory group forged strong bonds, often shared over home-cooked desserts that brought comfort amidst our busy schedules. Episcopal’s holistic approach to education helped me develop essential life skills like responsibility, self-care, and communication. This nurturing environment allowed me to cultivate a strong work ethic and effective time management skills, which continue to serve me well today and made the transition to college far smoother than I could have anticipated. Compared to my peers, I felt more self-motivated and was able to maintain a healthy work-life balance—something I had always been yearning for. Episcopal’s diverse extracurriculars, from sports to the arts, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. I discovered a passion for art that led me to pursue a studio art minor in college. My experiences in student mentoring and leadership roles at Episcopal laid the foundation for my current roles in college, where I now mentor peers on career advice and contribute to fostering an honorable community through the Honor Committee that Episcopal ingrained in me.
Ultimately, Episcopal was a home away from home. It was a place where I found lifelong friends, supportive faculty, and countless opportunities for growth. I am incredibly grateful to have been part of a school that not only provided an exceptional education but also nurtured my personal development. Episcopal truly cares about each of its students, and the impact it has made on my life will stay with me forever.
