By Kate Knight, Assistant Head of School, Academic

The last time I counted, I had moved 28 times. Sometimes the move was to a new apartment across town, while other times it involved packing all my earthly possessions into a storage locker as I prepared for an international travel adventure. Many moves have included starting a new job at a new school, filled with new people and possibilities.

Needless to say, all this moving about has given me a keen sense of what it feels like to be new. I understand how challenging it can feel to start over, make friends, learn how things are done in a new place. It’s hard, plain and simple; even scary sometimes. And it is also fun—there is no better feeling than seeing the sun set from a new perspective, finding that perfect new coffee shop or pizza joint, or making genuine connections with people I might not meet anywhere else in the world. Getting to fun, however, often means stepping outside my comfort zone, swallowing my nerves, and taking that first step into the unknown. In my experience, each time I have had the courage to leap, the reward has always been worth what first seemed like an unimaginable risk. I am a more confident, independent, and curious person because I have been willing to try something new, again and again.

Whether you have been part of the RLC community for a long time, just arrived, or are thinking about making a move, we all know what it feels like to be the “new person on campus” and how important it is to take the time to make people feel welcome. I have been at RLC for two months now, and the reception from faculty, staff, parents, students, and alumni has been wonderful. I feel very lucky to have joined such a special community.

Change does not necessarily get easier as I get older, but one thing I have learned after packing my belongings for the 29th time—once the suitcases are empty, there are incredible new people, places, and opportunities waiting to be discovered. I hope to see you as I keep exploring!