Siddhartha S. was a student participant at the 43rd COBIS Annual Conference from COBIS Member School DSB International School, Mumbai. Here is what he had to say about his experience at the conference...

Stepping into the COBIS 43rd Annual Conference in London from May 10-12, 2025, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. At 17, being a delegate among 650 delegates, school leaders, and students from 70 countries was huge. The venue, Convene 155 Bishopsgate, had a modern, lively feel, and the theme, "Passion with Purpose," spoke to me. Giving a speech and joining a panel with Ms. Fiona Cottam, a COBIS Board Member and principal at Hartland International School, were moments I’ll carry with me forever. 

When it was time for my speech, my heart was racing, but the warm energy in the room steadied me. I talked about how schools with resources, like many international ones, can step up to support their communities through things like local outreach or charity drives. Seeing people nod and scribble notes was unreal. Afterwards, a teacher came up and said, “You’ve inspired me to rethink what our school can do locally.” That meant the world and made me feel like I was part of something bigger. 

The panel discussion with Ms. Fiona Cottam was a highlight. She’s so thoughtful, and we dived into how schools need to adapt to a world that’s always changing with new tech, global challenges, and shifting student needs. I shared how schools can stay flexible by listening to students and trying new ideas, like updating curriculums to include real-world skills. Being up there, I felt this rush of adrenaline mixed with focus. Fiona’s calm, insightful vibe balanced my nervous energy, and we clicked, bouncing ideas like we’d rehearsed it. The audience was electric. They were leaning forward, clapping after big points, their questions sharp and curious. I could feel my confidence grow with every word, feeling I belonged on that stage. By the end, my heart was pounding, but I was grinning ear to ear, so proud to have held my own in such a big moment. 

Some of my favorite moments were with the other student delegates. We clicked right away, laughing over coffee and sharing stories about our schools and what we want to change. We’d huddle during breaks, debating ideas from the sessions and snapping selfies by the venue’s big glass windows. Those connections were so real and we’re still texting and swapping ideas for school projects. It was awesome to meet people my age who get it and want to make a difference too. 

The conference was packed with cool sessions. A workshop on student mental health really hit home, making me think about ways my school could create a better support system. Talks on AI and sustainability opened my eyes to what’s coming next in education. Outside the venue, I’d wander London’s busy streets, grabbing a plate of fried chicken at The Smoking Goat and letting the day sink in. The city’s vibe matched the conference, full of energy and ideas. 

Leaving COBIS, I felt fired up. My speech showed me I could speak up and be heard, even as a teenager. The panel taught me how to think on my feet and build on others’ ideas. And those chats with new friends reminded me there’s a whole network of us out there, ready to shake things up. The biggest takeaway? When you mix passion with purpose, you can spark real change, whether it’s in a classroom or a community. 

I’m already brainstorming ways to bring what I learned back to my school, like pushing for more community outreach. If you ever get the chance to go to a COBIS conference, do. It’s a place where your voice matters, and you leave feeling like you can take on anything.