So, on the very first day of school I realized one thing: THIS SCHOOL IS JUST HUGE! If in Russia most schools have about 800–1000 students total (including elementary kids!), here there are 1,300 students in just the high school. That’s about 300 people in one grade! Crazy, right?
And the size matches. Two floors, four wings, endless hallways where you can get lost in like 2 seconds (thank goodness for the classroom number signs!). Two massive gyms, two fitness rooms, a huge library, and a giant main office (basically all the principals’ and vice-principals’ rooms in one place, just divided into offices). There’s no real cafeteria here — it’s more like a big central hall where we have lunch and school hangouts. Plus, a huge auditorium, chill areas, a football field, and a stadium. And no, those aren’t the same thing!
Another cool thing: each wing of the school has its own subject focus — like science wing, arts wing, etc. Took me a while to figure out, but it actually helps a lot with navigation.
Ready?
Here’s the fun part: in my old school in Russia, breaks were 15–20 minutes. Here? Exactly 5 minutes. FIVE. MINUTES. Think that’s enough? Well, imagine this: in those 5 minutes you need to pack up your stuff, run across this giant school through 1,300 students, unpack your stuff in the next class, and maybe, just maybe, make a stop in the powder room. Even if you spend only one minute on each — which is basically impossible — that’s already 5 minutes gone.
The first few days I was late all the time, which is a big no-no here. If you’re more than 3 minutes late, you have to go to the office and get a pass (a slip with the reason, exact time, etc.). Now remember Russian schools, where I could be late like 20 minutes and just get scolded by the teacher… Nope, not here.
Speaking of passes — if you want to leave class, you need to ask the teacher for a special card. It says the room number, teacher’s name, and purpose, like “restroom,” “library,” or “guidance office.” If anyone stops you in the hallway, you just show the card.
Back home we’d sometimes “escape” class — say you go to the restroom and just wander around the halls for half an hour. Here? You’re only allowed to go to the restroom 2 TIMES PER SEMESTER. Yep. So, most people save those two golden tickets for an actual emergency.
And now your turn: would you survive in such a giant school with 5-minute breaks and restroom passes? Try to imagine it — maybe one day you’ll become an exchange student and see for yourself!