The story of Concordia International School Hanoi is a story of how experienced and passionate educators transformed an area intended for office space into the foundation of Hanoi’s most academically elite school. Before custom-building its state-of-the-art facility in Van Tri, Concordia Hanoi began by renting temporary space in the CMC Tower on Duy Tan Street, in an area known as Hanoi’s Silicon Valley. The facilities were basic, but as anyone who was there remembers, the teachers infused the classrooms and hallways with warmth and a passion for education. People make the school, and it was the experienced educators—many of whom brought expertise from the Concordia system—who made the difference and built the foundation from which Concordia Hanoi continues to grow today. 

For over a decade, Concordia International School Hanoi has been more than just a school—it has been a community where students, families, and educators have grown together. As the school celebrates its 14th year, the pathways of Kara and Rinnah, the last two students who have been with Concordia since its founding, stand as living testaments to its evolution. 

Raised alongside the school by their dedicated mothers—Kristin, Concordia’s Elementary School Principal, and Jeaneth, Concordia’s EAL Coordinator—these students embody the values of perseverance and community that have defined Concordia’s mission from the very beginning. Through challenges and triumphs, both families have played pivotal roles in shaping the school’s identity while preparing for their exciting futures at NYU and Davidson College. Their intertwined stories offer a unique glimpse into the heart of Concordia—a place where academic excellence meets character development, and where every milestone is shared by those who helped build it.

Kristin and Jeaneth played instrumental roles in Concordia’s early development. Kristin took a hands-on role in designing Concordia during its formative years, contributing to both its aesthetic and functional development. As one of the founding staff members, she was deeply involved in transforming the school’s initial space—a bare concrete shell—into a welcoming and safe environment for students. One of her most memorable contributions was selecting the colors for the walls and carpets, a task that required careful thought to balance practicality with visual appeal. Kristin recalls sitting with a color deck, choosing shades that would create a vibrant yet calming atmosphere for different areas of the school. For instance, she personally selected the colors for the floors in Building A, which remains a meaningful reminder of her early involvement. Her attention to detail extended to operational logistics, including organizing lunch spaces, coordinating cleaner schedules, and planning fire evacuation routes. Kristin was dedicated to creating not just a functional school but also a space where students could thrive academically and socially.

Jeaneth joined Concordia in 2012 after being encouraged by founding faculty member Linda Bloemberg to apply for a teaching position. Initially hesitant about meeting Concordia’s high standards, Jeaneth took a leap of faith and became a valued member of the team. Jeaneth describes the transition from her previous school in Hanoi to Concordia as a significant and positive change. She played a key role in creating a supportive academic environment, instilling values of fostering confidence, and encouraging character growth. Together, Kristin and Jeaneth navigated challenges with creativity and resilience, laying the foundation for Concordia’s development into a thriving educational institution.

Kara’s journey at Concordia has been shaped by a unique perspective as one of the school’s original students. Kara started with a class of just six kids. Now, as Kara prepares to graduate in a class of nearly 50 students, Kara takes pride in being part of the school’s legacy and witnessing its transformation from a small, close-knit community to a well-established organization. 

Kara fondly recalls the early days at the old campus, where preschool activities like crawling through cardboard mazes and eating donuts hung from strings created a sense of fun and connection. Kara also cherishes memories of spending mornings with mom before school, enjoying coffee and donuts at a nearby café. Academically, Kara credits Concordia for providing a solid American education in preparation for higher education abroad. Kara highlights the school’s strong college counseling program, which guides students through the application process and helps them gain admission to competitive universities. This program helped Kara gain admission into NYU through early decision.

Last year, outside of the classroom, Kara discovered a passion for film and photography. Kara finished working on a short film project in collaboration with Rinnah as a screenwriter, showcasing their artistic talents and initiative. Kara values how the school encouraged independence and provided a foundation for exploring personal interests.

Kara is preparing to attend NYU, and is excited about embracing diversity, engaging in social activism, and meeting people from various backgrounds in a progressive environment. Looking back on the time spent at Concordia, Kara feels grateful for the opportunities it provided to grow both academically and personally. Kara is a part of the school’s story—an “OG” student who has grown alongside the institution—and is ready to carry forward the lessons learned into the next chapter at NYU.

Rinnah’s experience at Concordia is one of gratitude, shaped by the school’s strong academic programs and supportive community. Like Kara, Rinnah has witnessed its growth from a small school with fewer than 100 students to a thriving institution with expanded facilities and programs. She fondly remembers the early days at the old campus, with its rooftop playground and classrooms in an office building, as well as milestones like moving to the new campus and seeing her class grow in size and diversity.

One of the defining aspects of Rinnah’s journey was Concordia’s robust language program, which developed her love for English and Literature. She credits her teachers for inspiring her passion for writing, helping her excel in international writing competitions, and encouraging her to pursue English as a major at Davidson College. Rinnah reflects on how Concordia’s emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression shaped her academic identity and prepared her for future success. Beyond academics, Rinnah is deeply grateful for the school’s focus on character development and community building. She recalls how Concordia helped her grow as a leader by giving her opportunities to welcome new students and participate in activities that fostered teamwork and empathy. Memorable experiences like hiking in Sapa during Middle School trips allowed her to bond with classmates and create lasting friendships.

Rinnah acknowledges that attending Concordia was a life-changing opportunity for her family, made possible by her mother’s role as an EAL Specialist at the school. She feels incredibly blessed to have been part of a community that not only challenged her academically but also supported her personal growth. As she prepares to attend Davidson College, Rinnah reflects on how Concordia has shaped who she is today—giving her the confidence, skills, and values needed to thrive in college and beyond. 

As Rinnah prepares to take on the role of graduation speaker, she reflects on the significance of this moment. For Rinnah, being chosen as the graduation speaker feels surreal, not just because it fulfills a long-held dream but because it underscores her place in Concordia’s history. She finds it strange to think that after her and Kara’s departure, no one will be able to share those same memories of Concordia’s earliest days.

Jeaneth feels an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude in seeing her daughter Rinnah selected as the graduation speaker. For Jeaneth, this moment is deeply meaningful. She remembers when Rinnah watched Concordia’s very first High School Graduation and, after seeing the inaugural graduation speaker, turned to her and said she wanted to be the graduation speaker at her own ceremony—making this accomplishment all the more special. Watching Rinnah prepare to deliver a speech that represents not only her own journey but also the shared experiences of her classmates fills Jeaneth with pride, knowing that her daughter is setting an example of how to make good choices, how to be a good person, how to be kind, and how to be a part of the community.

As Concordia’s Elementary School principal for over 13 years, Kristin has been instrumental in guiding the school through its growth while balancing her responsibilities as a parent. She reflects on how this dual role allowed her to experience Concordia from two perspectives: as an educator shaping the institution and as a mother witnessing her daughter grow alongside it. Kristin fondly recalls one of her favorite memories at Concordia: participating in the school’s annual walkathon with her daughter Kara during the early years of the school. For Kristin, this memory represents the spirit of Concordia—a place where students, parents, and staff come together to create meaningful experiences that go beyond academics.

Kristin’s ability to lead by example helped foster a culture of collaboration and commitment among teachers and administrators. Under her guidance, Concordia expanded its academic offerings, introduced specialized programs like STEM and counseling services, and transitioned from its modest beginnings at the CMC Tower to a state-of-the-art campus. Kristin also prioritized building strong relationships within the school community, ensuring that students felt supported both academically and emotionally.  Kristin recalls the early days of the school when resources were limited, yet the staff worked tirelessly to build a safe and nurturing learning environment.

Jeaneth’s experience at Concordia has also been shaped by her dual role as both a dedicated educator and a mother, allowing her to align her personal values with the school’s mission of character development and a holistic education. She encouraged Rinnah to persevere through difficulties, teaching her that resilience and hard work were more important than immediate success. Her emphasis on kindness and empathy shaped her daughter into an individual who values community and treats others with respect, qualities that Concordia actively fosters through its programs and culture. She also credits the school with providing Rinnah a rigorous education and a supportive environment that prepared her academically and emotionally for life abroad. For Jeaneth, Concordia has been more than just a workplace; it has been a community where she could grow professionally while raising her daughter guided by the shared values of Concordia.

Jeaneth’s time at Concordia also marked significant professional growth, supported by the school’s commitment to developing its educators. Concordia provided Jeaneth with numerous opportunities for professional development, including workshops at Teachers College in New York and other  programs that broadened her perspective as an educator. She took on leadership roles, such as coordinating the English Language (EAL) team, despite initial fears of stepping out of her comfort zone. These experiences not only enhanced her teaching skills but also built her confidence in taking on greater responsibilities. At the moment, Jeaneth is currently working towards getting her masters degree which she attributes to the encouragement of her bosses.

As Kara and Rinnah prepare to leave for college, their pursuits symbolize the lasting impact of Concordia—a school that has grown and evolved alongside them, shaping not only their academic achievements but also their character and aspirations. As the last two students who have been with Concordia since its founding, they will forever hold a distinctive place in the school’s history. Looking ahead, as Kara pursues a passion for film and photography at NYU and Rinnah follows her love for literature and writing at Davidson College, Concordia will always remain a meaningful part of their story—a place woven into their memories as they continue to create new ones in America.

For their mothers, Kristin and Jeaneth, this moment is one of immense pride and reflection—not only in their daughters’ accomplishments but also in their own roles in shaping the school that made these successes possible. Kristin reflects on how Concordia provided Kara with opportunities to grow creatively and academically while also nurturing a sense of independence and purpose. Jeaneth feels blessed to have contributed to a school that nurtured her daughter’s passion for literature while preparing her for life abroad. She credits Concordia not only for giving Rinnah the tools to succeed but also for aligning with her family’s values. Jeaneth also feels an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude in seeing her daughter Rinnah selected as the graduation speaker.

Jeaneth encourages new families at Concordia to actively become part of the school community, as this is where both students and parents will find genuine friendships and a true sense of belonging. She believes that when families connect with the community, it creates a supportive environment that makes Concordia feel like home. For parents, she advises allowing children—especially in the early years—to enjoy being kids, explore, and build relationships, rather than focusing solely on academic preparation. Finally, Jeaneth emphasizes the importance of being present and involved in school activities, noting that children truly value and are uplifted by their parents’ participation and support.

Kristin encourages parents to remember that childhood is a journey, not a race, and that it’s important to let children be kids. She believes mistakes are valuable opportunities for growth and learning, and emphasizes the importance of play as a vital part of development. Kristin advises parents to focus on creating a safe and connected environment—reminding their children that they are loved and supported by their family, teachers, and community. When children feel secure and connected, she says, they are naturally able to learn and thrive. Rather than rushing academic achievement, Kristin suggests prioritizing these foundational relationships and experiences, as they set the stage for lifelong learning and well-being.

The journeys of Kara, Rinnah, Kristin, and Jeaneth are deeply interconnected with the story of Concordia Hanoi—a school that has grown from humble beginnings into a thriving institution, shaping lives along the way. For Kristin and Jeaneth, this moment is both a culmination of years of dedication and a celebration of what it means to be part of a community that grows together. As Kara and Rinnah prepare to embark on their next chapters at NYU and Davidson College, they carry with them the values instilled by their mothers and reinforced by Concordia. In the end, their journeys illustrate how the lessons and values we carry with us continue to guide us, no matter where life leads.

Together, Kara and Rinnah represent more than just the legacy of Concordia—they embody the school’s mission to develop well-rounded individuals who excel academically while upholding strong character values. Their stories are connected with Concordia’s history, from its humble beginnings in a small campus to its growth into an accomplished school. As they step into their bright futures, Kara and Rinnah leave behind a timeless mark on the school—an influence that will inspire future generations of students. 

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's history.