亲爱的同学们、老师们，尊敬的家长们：

金秋送爽，新学年的序幕已然拉开。站在这里，望着你们眼中闪烁的光芒与朝气，我想先提出一个或许曾萦绕在你们心头的疑问：在这个信息爆炸、选择多元的时代，当DeepSeek、ChatGPT-5等人工智能日益渗透日常，我们该如何不被外界杂音淹没，找到真正的自己？又该如何锚定方向，寻获人生的意义？今天，我想以国际化高中师长的身份，与大家共同探讨这两个关于成长的核心命题：找到自己，找到人生意义。

首先，找到自己，始于“看见独特的你”。我们常谈“国际化”，但它从不是塑造千篇一律的“标准样板”，而是在拥抱世界的过程中，更清晰地回答“我是谁”。就像“建设上海”主题周里，同学们打破学科界限，与不同年级师生组队协作：从游戏设计到可持续时尚，从港口经济调研到戏剧音乐创作，大家在真实课题中主动探索、大胆创造。团队能力的多元虽带来挑战，却也点亮了每个人的闪光点——有人擅长策划统筹，有人精于细节执行，有人乐于沟通协调。正是在这样的实践里，你们慢慢拼出更丰富、更立体的自我画像。

同学们，新学期请勇敢迈出尝试的脚步：在实验室里感受探索未知的雀跃，在志愿服务中体会帮助他人的满足，在跨文化合作中找到专属自己的表达方式。这些经历从不是冰冷的“升学筹码”，而是帮你拼凑“我是谁”“我热爱什么”“我擅长什么”的生命拼图。唯有亲身投入、尽情体验，才能触碰到那个独一无二的自己。

其次，找到人生意义，源于“将个人热爱融入更大价值”。作为立足中国、面向世界的青年，你们人生的意义远不止个人成就，更在于以所学所能回应真实世界的需求。你们的梁学姐便是很好的榜样：高中三年，她从参与模拟联合国、印度领导力项目、敦煌研学，到创办“毛毛乐园”关爱流浪猫、开设“心灵充电站”助力同伴，再到担任学生会副主席统筹活动、站上舞台主持晚会、投身各类竞赛与社会实践——始终“从心而行”，不被功利裹挟，不迎合外界期待，纯粹享受每一次投入的过程。最终，她在大学申请时坚定选择价值观契合的弗吉尼亚大学，只因共鸣于“我们来到这里，不是为了成为某一种特定的人，而是为了成为更好的自己”。可见，人生的意义从不是响亮的口号，而是在“个人热爱”与“社会价值”的对接中，自然生长出来的答案。

最后，我想告诉大家：“找到”从不是一蹴而就的结果，而是一场允许试错、鼓励探索的漫长旅程。或许此刻的你，还未确定前路方向；或许某些课程、某段体验，暂时没能让你找到归属感——这都很正常，无需焦虑。重要的是保持探索的勇气：在跨学科项目中感知兴趣的温度，在团队协作中学会共情与包容，在一次次尝试与反思中，聆听内心最真实的声音。

同学们，新学期的钟声已经敲响。愿你们在宏润博源这片土壤上，既拥抱世界的广袤，也深耕文化的厚度。不仅学会知识，更学会认识自己；不仅追求成绩，更点亮人生的意义。

新的学期，让我们带着对自我的追问、对意义的追寻，一同出发！

谢谢大家！

Dear students, faculty, and respected parents,

As the crisp autumn air sets in, a new academic year begins. Standing here, seeing the sparkle and energy in your eyes, I’d like to begin with a question that may have crossed your minds: In this era of information overload and abundant choices, as artificial intelligence such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT-5 increasingly permeates our daily lives, how do we avoid being drowned out by the noise and find our true selves? How do we anchor our direction and discover the meaning of life? Today, as an educator at an international high school, I’d like to explore with you these two core questions about growth—the journey of “finding.”

First, finding yourself begins with “seeing the unique you.” We often talk about “internationalization,” but it was never meant to mold everyone into a uniform “standard template.” Rather, it’s about answering “Who am I?” more clearly while embracing the world. Take our “Building Shanghai” PBL week for example, where students transcends disciplinary boundaries and collaborate with teachers and peers across grades: from game design to sustainable fashion, from port economy research to theatrical and musical creation. Through hands-on projects, you have been actively exploring and boldly creating. Though diverse team dynamics pose challenges, they also highlight everyone’s strengths — some excel at planning and coordination, others at detailed execution, and still others at communication and mediation. It is in such practices that you gradually piece together a richer, more multi-dimensional self-portrait.

Students, in this new semester, dare to step out and try: experience the excitement of exploring the unknown in the lab, the fulfillment of helping others through volunteer work, and your unique way of expression in cross-cultural collaborations. These experiences are never mere “college application tokens”; they are the pieces that help you assemble the puzzle of “Who am I?”, “What do I love?”, and “What am I good at?” Only by fully engaging and immersing yourselves can you touch that one-of-a-kind self.

Second, finding life’s meaning stems from “integrating personal passion into greater value.” As youth rooted in China yet facing the world, the meaning of your lives extends far beyond personal achievements—it lies in using your knowledge and abilities to address real-world needs. Your alumna Hina Liang is a great example: throughout high school, she participated in Model United Nations, a leadership program in India, and a research trip to Dunhuang; she founded “Meow Meow Land” to support children and established a “Spiritual Power Station” to help peers; she served as vice president of the student council, hosted events, and engaged in various competitions and social practices—always “following her heart,” free from utilitarian pressures or external expectations, purely enjoying every moment of engagement. Eventually, when applying to university, she firmly chose the University of Virginia, whose values resonated with her: “We come here not to become a certain type of person, but to become a better version of ourselves.” Thus, life’s meaning is never a loud slogan but an answer that naturally grows from aligning “personal passion” with “social value.”

Finally, I want to remind you: “Finding” is never an overnight result but a long journey that allows trial and error and encourages exploration. Perhaps you haven’t yet found your direction; perhaps certain courses or experiences haven’t given you a sense of belonging—that’s completely normal, and there’s no need to worry. What matters is maintaining the courage to explore: sensing the warmth of your interests in interdisciplinary projects, learning empathy and inclusivity in teamwork, and listening to your innermost voice through repeated tries and reflections.

Students, the bell of the new semester has rung. May you, on the grounds of SHBS, both embrace the vastness of the world and delve deeply into the richness of culture. May you not only acquire knowledge but also learn to know yourselves; not only pursue grades but also illuminate the meaning of life.

This new semester, let’s set forth together—with questions about ourselves and a search for meaning!