A Journey That Begins with Courage
When students travel thousands of miles to study in a new country, they’re not just changing schools, they’re stepping into entirely new ways of living, learning, and relating. At Knoxville Christian School (KCS), the International Program is designed to meet them in that transition, offering not just education, but belonging.
The stories of William Le and Mario Pinilla bring that mission into sharp focus.
From Different Worlds, A Shared Experience
William arrived from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Mario from Alicante, Spain, two different cultures, two different educational systems, and two distinct personalities. Yet both found something unexpectedly similar at KCS: a place where they were known.
In their home countries, school looked very different. William’s experience was defined by scale and intensity (nearly 1,500 students), long academic days, and a rigorous, highly competitive environment. Mario’s school in Spain, though smaller, still held around 250 students per grade, with structured academics and less opportunity for extracurricular connection. In both cases, it was easy to blend into the background.
KCS changed that immediately.
Known by Name, Not Lost in the Crowd
At KCS, classrooms are intentionally small. For Mario, that meant going from 30 students in a class to just a handful. “Everybody knows each other,” William shared, echoing the same sentiment.
Teachers noticed when they spoke. Classmates reached out. One of Mario’s first memories was sitting alone at lunch when another student approached him, starting a conversation that would lead to friendships, and even the surprising discovery of another student from his hometown in Spain.
That kind of environment doesn’t just happen. It’s cultivated.
Learning That Connects to Real Life
Academically, both students found opportunities not just to learn, but to engage.
William thrived in hands-on classes like Christian Entrepreneurship, where he applied real-world concepts by designing a business plan. His experience helped shape his future goals: studying electrical engineering at the University of Tennessee with an eye toward innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mario, already strong in math, noticed differences in academic structure. While he found U.S. coursework more accessible in format, he also recognized the depth of his prior preparation. Yet what stood out most wasn’t the curriculum, it was the support. Teachers were patient. They invested time. They ensured he understood, not just completed, the work.
Growth Beyond the Classroom
Growth at KCS extends well beyond academics.
For both students, sports became a bridge into community. William joined soccer and flag football despite having no prior experience, using them as opportunities to connect. Mario did the same, stepping onto a basketball court for the first time in his life.
“I came here and couldn’t even dribble,” he admitted. But with encouragement from his coach, he learned, improved, and found joy in the process.
That willingness to try something new, especially in an unfamiliar culture, became a defining theme in both of their journeys.
Overcoming Barriers, Building Confidence
There were challenges, of course. Language barriers, time zone differences with family, and cultural adjustments all required resilience.
William described pushing himself to speak even when it felt uncomfortable, eventually finding confidence through consistency. Mario navigated everything from language concerns to cultural differences like earlier driving ages in the U.S. and new social dynamics.
Yet neither withdrew.
Instead, they leaned in.
Strength Built Through Discipline
William spent months independently preparing for the SAT, pushing through discouragement to reach his goals. He also committed himself to weightlifting and building discipline through daily effort.
Mario balanced maintaining relationships back home while building new ones at KCS, staying connected to friends and family while fully engaging in his new environment.
Both stories reflect a deeper truth: growth rarely happens all at once. It’s built day by day.
A Program That Shapes Everyone
What emerges from both stories is not just personal growth, but mutual impact.
The International Program at KCS is not one-sided. While students like William and Mario gain confidence, education, and life experience, they also enrich the school community. Their presence broadens perspectives. It challenges assumptions. It creates opportunities for local students to practice empathy, hospitality, and curiosity.
In a world that often feels divided, that kind of exchange matters.
Faith in Action
At its core, the KCS International Program reflects something deeper than academics or cultural exposure. It reflects a lived expression of faith, welcoming others, investing in relationships, and recognizing the value of every individual.
William summarized it simply when asked for advice for those new to the program: “Don’t be afraid. Talk to people. Jump in.”
More Than a Program, A Place to Belong
Mario, preparing to return to Spain, carries both gratitude and a sense of loss. He’s excited to see his family, but he’ll miss the relationships and experiences he’s built. And if given the opportunity, he says he would come back.
That says something.
Because when students cross oceans and find a place that feels like home, even temporarily, you know something meaningful is happening.
That is the heart of the International Program at Knoxville Christian School.
Click for more information on KCS’s International Student Program