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| Mads and his parents reunite with Kristen Billings while visiting WAB for the first time since it left "the factory." |
The last time Mads Meier-Hansen stepped foot on WAB's campus, he was still learning his basic maths and referred to the school as "The Factory." Fast forward to seven years later, the Meier-Hansens of Denmark--father Per, mother Gette, and Mads of course-were in for a treat, when they dropped by WAB to take in our 'new' campus and say hello to familiar friends.
Mads, now 12, mentioned that he was in Pre-K when he started, so names and faces were a little fuzzy. When asked if he remembered any particular teachers, he immediately responded 'Ms. Billings.' The family was whisked to 2-B, where Kristen Billings instantly recognized Mads and the family! She introduced the Meier-Hansens to the children of 2-B and quipped, "When Mads was in my class, some of you were not even born yet!"
Gette was happy to see so many familiar faces in the school. "I was so surprised to see many of the same teachers still here! It's proof that WAB is really doing something special." They checked out WAB's music department and also sampled our fresh smoothies and cappucinos in the High School building. As a final treat, the family watched the finals of the 400-meter Olympic Dream Series, where the winner of the boy's final and the 2nd placer for the girls were from Denmark! It was a great final touch to the trip seeing the Danish flag raised during the medal ceremony, and the family even chatted with a handful of visiting Danish parents. The family is off to Pingyao for a weekend before returning back to Sonderborg, Denmark. WAB wishes them a fun vacation in China!
If your family is returning to Beijing for a visit, please email us at wabalumni@wab.edu to set up a tour of the school campus. It's a great opportunity to see our campus, meet old friends and rediscover the WAB spirit!