Alumni of AISG: Sinou Thangal

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to Sinou Thangal, an AISG alumna, who is currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Music at Queens University, Canada. We spoke about several things ranging from her experiences in high school to how she’s been adjusting to life after AISG. Additionally, she shared some tips for the incoming senior class.

Moving is like second-nature to Sinou; it’s something that she’s done her whole life. Having lived in over five countries, moving away from Guangzhou to go to college in Canada wasn’t as hard for her as it may have been for others. She says that the biggest challenge was definitely adjusting to the food and “not having parents around.” However, she appreciated the fact that she was able to communicate easily with everyone due to the lack of a language barrier, as well as the cooler climate. “The humidity in Guangzhou was easily the worst aspect of staying there,” she says. She credits college life with helping her understand the importance of household tasks, something which she had previously “grossly underestimated.” Adjusting to life in college, however, was extremely difficult for her because she found it hard to take care of her mental health. Without counselors and friends actively trying to help her, she struggled to find the motivation to get better. “I hope that everybody remembers that there will always be mental health resources, even in college, that people can utilize,” she says.

Sinou, like many of us, took the IB diploma and said that it taught her several important skills, such as time management and how to balance extracurricular life while prioritizing her mental health. Some of her favorite classes were English Lit HL and Math Studies, and she credits Mr. Baier and Mr. Webster for making those classes enjoyable. “It was definitely a fun time and although I’m grateful for it, I’m glad that it’s over with,” she says. Sinou was a member of the soccer team for both the years that she was at AISG and was also an avid member of Pulse. She says that the range of activities offered at AISG was definitely a strength of the school and something that she really valued. She “loved getting to know people and really being able to be a part of a team that worked to create something that people would love and remember!”

The most important piece of advice that Sinou thinks she can give the incoming class of seniors is “to take care of themselves and force the freaking fun.” Additionally, she wishes that she took more time to cherish her time in school and hopes that the seniors are able to find time to bond and appreciate each other.

Ultimately, Sinou wants to remind everyone to stay safe in these trying times and to stay in touch!