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Courage, connection, and confidence: International student Bradom Zhang tells his Interlochen story
The third-year visual arts major from China shares why he and his family chose Interlochen, how he has worked to overcome language and cultural differences, and how he’s supporting other international students.
Bradom Zhang paints outside of Kresge Auditorium during the annual Run for the Arts 5K in May 2024.
At his old school, junior visual arts student Bradom Zhang felt, in his own words, like “a greenhouse flower.”
“Although I enjoyed the public school in my hometown—which taught me how to behave well—it was never a place that supported my imagination and my desire to make art,” Bradom says. “Doodling in a sketchbook or dreaming of different stories were never things that were recommended.”
Seeking a place where he could be nurtured both artistically and academically, Bradom and his parents began researching other schools—including outside their home country, China. They were drawn to Interlochen Arts Academy by not only its outstanding visual arts program, but also by its rigorous academic curriculum.
“We didn’t want to only focus on art, because we recognized that a school that values academic performance is still important,” Bradom says. “Learning about subjects beyond art helps me to better understand everything that goes on in this world. I am in a society that is way more diverse and complicated than just art, so learning all the academics helps me better observe it. Interlochen is a school that not only encourages me to be an artist, but also to be a person who knows how to be part of a larger world.”
Finding courage and confidence
Despite Bradom’s conviction that Interlochen was the right fit, the transition to a new school—and a new country—wasn’t easy. Bradom found that his natural introversion was exacerbated by cultural differences, his self-consciousness about his accent and grammar, and the difference between the formal English he’d learned in textbooks and more casual speech his fellow students use in day-to-day conversations.
Bradom has been working to overcome these challenges by both changing his mindset and focusing on gradual, step-by-step improvement.
“I tell myself not to overthink and not to worry too much about how other people think of me,” he says. “Cultural differences can still be a problem sometimes, but interacting more with the people around me really helps. I started by talking to teachers, as they are always kind and inclusive. Then, I seized every chance to talk to some peers and to expand my friend circle.”
Engaging with his fellow students has also helped Bradom improve his English.
“As I spend more time with my peers, learning how to gather courage and confidence, I find myself making progress over time,” he says. “I started to pay more attention to the points I want to make instead of the flaws I have. When I have the confidence to present myself to people, my language naturally gets better.”
Bradom has also challenged himself to participate in school activities. A trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore during his freshman year remains one of his fondest memories of his time at Interlochen.
“On this beautiful autumn day—when all the leaves were at their reddest or yellowest moment—we stepped onto the Sleeping Bear Dunes and the surrounding forest,” he recalls. “I got acquainted with Mary Ellen Newport, who was the head of the science department at that time. She passionately introduced me to the landscape and life along Lake Michigan.”
For Bradom—who was still adjusting to life at the Academy at the time—an encounter with local wildlife during the trip felt like a symbolic welcome.
“We found a baby ribbon snake and played with it,” he says. “Snakes are my favorite animals: Now that I think about it, showing me my favorite animal was a ‘hello’ from Michigan.”
Connecting and contributing
Now in his third year at the Academy, Bradom has flourished.
“At Interlochen, I learned how to manage my schedule, how to take on different challenges while having a positive attitude, how to be a club leader, and how to be a kind person with the passion and courage to talk to people,” he says. “All of these things are making me a better version of myself, and for the first time in my life, I find myself connecting and contributing to a community that cares about me in return. All of the opportunities here, all the people, and the vibe of the lakes and the natural setting are making a difference in me.”
Beyond his artistic and academic classes, Bradom is also the leader of the International Student Union and serves as an International Liaison—a student who mentors new international students and helps them navigate their Interlochen journeys.
“Hosting different meetings and events for international students is something I really enjoy doing,” he says. “It is a chance for me to be a bridge between people, and I like the feeling of being helpful to others. The process of preparing an event is also fun: I like being able to communicate with different people to put things together.”
Artistically, Bradom enjoys the encouragement of Interlochen’s visual arts faculty.
“Although they are sometimes busy, they have always been supportive and helpful with my projects,” he says. “Whenever I get stuck on one of my projects—a painting for example—they guide me but never force me to take my next step. They are always there to talk with me and give me the space to reorganize myself.”
Outside the classroom, Bradom enjoys doodling in his sketchbook—”As a visual arts student, it is important to make sure I always remember how to draw,” he explains—reading books about history, playing video games, and watching movies.
“Movies like The Pursuit of Happiness can really make a difference through how they show people overcoming obstacles to bring themselves a better life,” he says.
Encouraging others
When asked what advice he would give to prospective international students, Bradom reflects on both the nature of Interlochen’s community and his own personal journey.
“There is nothing to be afraid of,” he says. “Interlochen aims to be a comfortable place for artistic pursuit, and the people here are generally nice and supportive. I was once really worried about how other people thought of me. Then I learned that as long as I am respectful to the people around me, there is no need for me to overthink.”
Most importantly, Bradom encourages other prospective students to be courageous.
“Never be afraid of talking to someone you have never spoken with before, and never be afraid of doing something you have never done before,” he says. “Take action even if you are not sure you are ready.”
