What began as a small group of students exploring an interest in healthcare has grown into a thriving student-led initiative at Nanjing International School, creating meaningful opportunities for learning, leadership, and real-world impact.

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) first took root at NIS through the passion of students like Joyce (Grade 12), who joined HOSA events in Grade 10 to deepen her interest in Biology and Medicine. Alongside teammates Tian Yu (Grade 12) and Yuchen (Grade 11), she progressed from early participation to international competition, achieving impressive results, including a 7^th-place finish in Biology and placing in the top 30% globally in the Public Service Announcement (PSA) event. Reflecting on this journey, Joyce shared, “What started as a short-term hobby turned into a long-term commitment… I’m extremely proud of the progress we have made and hope that HOSA club will continue to grow at NIS.”

Inspired by these experiences, Joyce and Tian Yu brought HOSA to NIS, building a platform for other students to explore pathways in healthcare and biomedical science. Over the past two years, the club has steadily expanded, hosting healthcare-related initiatives and supporting participation in national-level events.

This momentum continued at the recent China National HOSA Conference in Zhuhai, where nine NIS students, accompanied by NIS faculty Sam Richards and Jasmine Zhao, joined peers from across the country in a large-scale, immersive competition. Students participated in events such as ATC Biology, Biomedical Debate and Communication and the Youth Social Impact Expo, alongside hands-on experiences like CPR training. For Sooah (Grade 11), the academic depth stood out: “Through studying for the ATC division of HOSA, I was able to expand my knowledge… and gain insight into the scope of information required for working in the field of Science.”

Their efforts were recognised with an outstanding range of achievements, including Gold, Silver, Bronze, and multiple Outstanding Honors across Biology, Public Service, and Social Impact categories. NIS was also named a Health Science Educational Rising Star School, highlighting the growing strength of the programme. For Seeun (Grade 10), the moment of recognition was unforgettable: “From the moment of entering the large venue… to seeing my name appear on the screen, every moment of HOSA was such a special experience.”

Behind these results was a journey defined by commitment and collaboration. Students engaged in deep academic preparation, applied their knowledge to real-world challenges, and worked closely in teams to develop impactful projects – particularly around issues such as teen mental health. For Yuchen, the most powerful moments extended beyond competition results: “When we shared our work about teen mental health… it felt like we were contributing to something bigger.”

Beyond competition, students also built connections and gained new perspectives. As Guanmou (Grade 10) reflected, “Meeting new people in such a tense, academically competitive environment has been both tiring and engaging,” highlighting the balance of challenge and inspiration that defined the experience.

Through this experience, students developed not only scientific understanding but also essential skills in communication, collaboration, and leadership. More importantly, they began to see how their learning can create real impact.

From competition rounds to leadership workshops, HOSA Zhuhai challenged students to step beyond the classroom, connect with others, and grow as globally minded learners – an inspiring example of what it means to truly Burst the Bubble!