Bolles welcomes students from all over the world, offering a home away from home where they can realize their greatest future potential, while enjoying meaningful, lifelong connections. Resident Life students hail from 29 countries and 12 U.S. states and speak 16 different languages. This year, the Bolles News team asked Resident Hall Council leaders to reflect on their experience boarding at Bolles.

Tristan ’25, Saint Lucia
Resident Hall Council President

“I came to Bolles in my junior year of high school to pursue my athletic and academic dreams. Although my journey has only just begun, in my short time boarding, I have learned a great deal about myself as well as made relationships that I can comfortably say will last a lifetime. Being a boarder comes with its difficulties – being away from my family for the first time ever was difficult – but it taught me to become more responsible for myself, which has made me a more self-sufficient and dependable person. It has also broadened my perspective on different facets of life.

Being exposed to such a multitude of international students has allowed me to hear different opinions on topics that I would never hear otherwise. I believe this has made me a much more socially literate person as I have learned to listen to and communicate with people who hold opinions different than myself. It has also allowed me to stretch my wings and become my own person. Back home, with the support and guidance of my family and community, I was comfortable but also sheltered. I believe living a life separate from them for the first time, free of their influence, has allowed me to dictate where I go in life, giving me a newfound sense of freedom, which I have never experienced before in my life. This is the most important part of Resident Life, in my opinion – discovering oneself. Although I, as well as every boarder here, is participating in the Bolles journey together, we are all participating in our own journeys as people.”

Brody ’25, Florida
Resident Hall Council Vice President

“I think being a student in Resident Life has really helped me feel more comfortable at Bolles. It’s a common cliché that schools try to help their students feel “at home,” but that hits differently when your school literally is your home. Particularly at a school like Bolles, where most students are day students, knowing that I have friends who share so many experiences with me has made me feel supported despite living hundreds of miles away from my real home.

Additionally, being in the dorms has helped me grow as an athlete beyond what I could have achieved otherwise. I live with my teammates, meaning we are all here to hold one another accountable and encourage each other. Practice being only a two-minute walk from my bedroom means that I’m always on time and that I have the option to stay late and help clean up.

Living in the dorms has also taught me a lot about responsibility and independence. Without my family around, I’ve learned to manage my time more effectively, from balancing homework with sports to making sure I get enough rest. I've grown more confident handling challenges on my own, and I feel better prepared for college, where I'll need to rely on my own skills and discipline even more.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of dorm life, though, has been the community we’ve built. Beyond just teammates or classmates, the people I live with have become like a second family. We support each other not only in athletics and academics but also in the everyday ups and downs of life. From celebrating each other’s achievements to helping each other through tough days, being part of this close-knit group has made Bolles feel like a true home away from home.”

Sofia ’25, Cayman Islands
Resident Hall Council Senior Prefect

“Being a part of the Resident Life program has allowed me to make lifelong friends with people from all around the world. It has brought me different views and perspectives on cultures and traditions. It has taught me to be independent and how to adjust to new environments at a young age. The program has allowed me to have a leadership position in the dorms and set me up for potential future positions. The Resident Life program brings students together through activities and experiences, as well as bonding with people that you may never have met.”

AJ ’25, Alabama
Resident Hall Council Senior Prefect

“The Bolles Resident Hall Council has allowed me to make deeper connections with each of the students here. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet international kids and make lifelong bonds with the people at Bolles. I hope to pay it forward by advising younger students who join the program in hopes to influence them positively.”

Sam ’25, Kenya
Resident Hall Council Senior Prefect

“Resident Life at Bolles taught me how to balance my independence among academics, extra-curriculars and social relationships. The dorm environment nurtured me for good time management. Bolles Resident Life requires a lot of responsibility, accountability and empathy, not only towards academics but the people you live with. Together, we are a strong community, and to achieve the academic and athletic performances we do, we must all respect each other – and that comes through the value of structure. I learned the value of structure has improved my academic and athletic performances, and to attain that structure in the dorms, we must respect each other so that we can all work together cohesively and work towards all our diverse goals. These values, instilled within me through Bolles Resident Life, will serve me well in college and life.

While I learned values of respect and time management, being a part of the Bolles boarding community also furthered my understanding of cultural diversity. Among peers from different backgrounds, I learned more about outlooks on life and the appreciation of other cultures, values and traditions. Daily interactions with classmates coming from every corner of the world made me flexible and open-minded. In this close-knit and diverse community, it inspired me to own my set of experiences that are unique and specially empowered my identity within its setting globally.”

Liam ’26, Trinidad and Tobago
Resident Hall Council Junior Prefect

“Living in the Bolles dorms has been one of the most transformative aspects of my life. Not being from the USA, when I first arrived, I was nervous about leaving home and adjusting to a new environment. However, my time in the Bolles Resident Life community quickly helped me develop a new sense of independence and camaraderie. Living with students from all over the world has expanded my perspective. Through the countless late-night study sessions, video games in the common area, movie nights and group outings, I’ve built many deep friendships and created many memories. Here I have learned to interact better with people.

The Resident Life program at Bolles has also pushed me to grow in responsibility and time management. With the dorm staff encouraging self-discipline, I’ve learned to balance academics with my extracurricular activity (swimming) and personal time. These skills will serve me well beyond high school. This keeps making me feel at home even when I’m miles away from my family.

Overall, my Resident Life experience has shaped me into a more independent, open-minded and organized individual. This experience here at The Bolles School has not only enhanced my academic journey but has also prepared me for the challenges I will face in college and beyond.”