Middle Eastern Conference Reflections

Ahhhh! What a day. Well the conference started the evening before where we had a talk at 7PM in Bradenstoke byZarghuna Kargar, she was so inspiring. I wish I had gotten into her workshop, but I was glad to hear her. At least a hundred of the students turned up to listen to her talk about her work travelling around Afghanistan, collecting stories from women for the BBC World Service programme Afghan Women's Hour, and then from these stories, she wanted to share them and created a book. Her bravery and determination to have these women’s voices heard was truly touching.

My first workshop of the day was by an ex-AC German student. He is one of those people who go to Oxford and then decide to do their Masters in Cambridge (or maybe the other way around). Anyways, the workshop was called the Right to Civil Disobedience in the Middle East. His workshop was more on moderating us talking to each other, adding in the legal terms or changing tactics if the issue got to heated. The most interesting topics the group of about 10 delved into were where to draw the line: break the law because you want change, but then accept the punishment which that same legal system enforces?  And how to measure the collateral impact of ones actions, if a consequential point of view and the proportionality of the crime should be taken into consideration.

My next Workshop was led by two close friends, Shana and David. It was titled ‘A Day in the Life of’. This one was again really well researched and prepared for. Shana, through a contact as AC, had managed to speak to about half a dozen teenagers our age in places like Libya, UAE and Israel. It asked them general questions like their favourite food, music and what they did on the weekend. Their goal in this respect was to prove how much in common we have with them (as AC does already). But then it asked what the Middle East meant to them. And their definitions of a place that they dream of peace, of freedom and safety- but also of how much they love their home, and how proud and patriotic they are of where they are from.  It had a few accounts of students that are at AC- one thing this conference has taught me is that I need to be more curious. I need to ask my peers what’s going on in their homes, and try to understand the conflicts from two points of view. The realisation of how little we truly know in Cayman saddens me. I may be naïve, but I don’t believe more than 2 of a dozen of my friends would be able to explain even briefly the conflict between Israel and Palestine. It’s something I really want to work towards when I’m back home in the future- having teenagers get more involved in global issues.

My third workshop was led by Anantya from India and Emily from the UAE (but Irish).It was entitled Modern Slavery and about the mentality which needs to be changed in the UAE countries towards bringing in migrant workers. I knew most of the information from reading an article over the summer when I was on work experience about Dubai, but to be amplified by statistics and personal recounts from both Anantya witnessing families leaving and Emily seeing workers living in pitiful conditions just next door to her was enthralling.

I’ve been asked as part of my reflection to answer a few questions, so here goes:

1.       Has your perception of the Middle East changed?

To be honest, if I was asked this question at the beginning of the conference I would have struggled to come up with a concrete, decent answer. I don’t want to be one of the cliché answers, saying there is great conflict and oppression in various degrees. But I knew very little. I now know more, still not enough but this conference has intrigued me to want to learn more. So yes, my perception is still changing. 

2.       If you could go to any country in the Middle East, which one would it be and why?

The way Zari spoke about Afghanistan, I would love to do volunteer work and learn what makes her eyes sparkle when she speaks about her home. Though I do not see the possibility of my father allowing me to do such a thing for years to come.

3.       What’s one thing you would want to change in the Middle East?

Being such a feminist, I hope all girls will have the right to an education to. I realise it is a long way off until there is such thing as Co-Ed schools…but I hope every girl/women is given the chance to have an education, choose to marry the man she loves and make her own decisions.

4.       How are you going to act differently after this conference?

As I stated earlier, I’m going to try and learn more from my peers. Inquire. Question. I don’t want to leave AC and not have a thorough understanding, it’s an opportunity so special and I must not get bogged down with other duties to appreciate it.

 

Middle Eastern Conference BEGINS

Really wish I had more hours to write a far better blog :(

However, quick update.

Last night, I went to Coffee Lounge, cuddled with Luke from Colorado and listened to a story read by Kate from ‘Dear Zari’ by Zarghuna Kargar.

 

“True stories from women in Afghanistan, giving voice to these women for the first time and allowing them to tell their stories in their own words.

 
And this evening I will be going to a talk in the Bradenstoke by Zaraghuna.
Tomorrow is the Middle Easter Conference. That will DEFINITELY require an indepth blog. I promise J



On another note- my Secret Santa this year is absolutely amazing. Two nights ago I had about a dozen hugs from people in my house, before someone cracked and told me my ‘Santa’ had written on every dorm mirror to hug me and say I was looking really pretty that day. Luck would have it I was in sweat pants and a tank top studying, but even so it was very sweet. Other things they have done: tea bags in my socks, little jar of jam on my bed, a bracelet, olive oil… so sweet! And they know I like to be healthy.

xxo Abi

My Castle, no big deal.

April 27th 1774

The Routine.

HELLO!

Well life is very hectic. So much so that I keep putting on my To-Do list to update my blog but then have to sadly put an X in it by the end of the evening.

A few things that have happened this week:

We did a very fun baking session in Children’s Charities in Sunley’s dayroom, to raise money for the postal stamps we will need for our shoebox appeal. This time next week, my tutor Chiel has kindly agreed to drive us into Bridgend so we can drop off our filled shoeboxes for the ‘Operation Christmas Child’ appeal. I will be very glad, as underneath my bed has absolutely no more space, as four teachers gave me bags of goodies.

On Tuesday I did my ToK presentation! I think it’s 20% of the ToK grade (which goes along with the EE to give you the additional 3 bonus points). I spoke about women in fashion and how we perceive them, talking about burqas, bikinis, sunglasses, religion, context, moral relativism… oh so many things. Chris is very kind in that he gives us the whole 50 minute lesson, and we present by ourselves. In other classes they have to have a partner AND have only 20 minutes for a presentation- far too rushed for interesting discussion.

In service on Tuesday afternoon Illisha, Oli and I led a climbing session. There isn’t too much imagination that needs to go into climbing sessions. Thankfully, our group of 9 kids were SUPER excited. I had to tell them to slow down so I could belay correctly.

In Corpus Juris on Tuesday evening we had the motion: This house would limit the right to trial by jury in some criminal cases. It was quite fun. Unlike History debates where I sometimes find myself quietly in the corner as I don’t have the knowledge or scope of the issue to be a main speaker- in these debates I find myself being the most passionate on my team.

This evening I have a service session of Pool Games with a dozen mentally disabled 15-17 year olds with the mental age of average six year olds. We’re meeting half an hour before to plan our session- but it’s my first Pool Games session, and I think it will be really rewarding.

Then Open House!

This weekend, about half a dozen of my Second Years are coming back! I’m very excited to see them.

This didn’t mention any of the standard school work that’s been going on- which is mountains. I haven’t had a moment since returning from half-break yet where I don’t know of any school work that needs to be done… How horrible!

Oh well. Five weeks today I will be on my long voyage back to my rock.

Will try and write again soon!

Malala Yousafzai

Dear All,

Many of you will have heard about Malala Yousafzai in the news, the Pakistani  girl recently shot by the Taliban after she campaigned for girls’ education, following the Taliban’s ban of this in her area. She is now recovering in hospital in Birmingham. John Walmsley asked Shanna and I to write a letter to Malala on behalf of the students here, expressing our support for her. John also said that she could come to Atlantic College with a full scholarship. Attached is the letter we plan to send to her shortly. We thought that actually it would be really good if all students and staff signed this with names and countries, so that she could see on the page more than 400 names from around the world supporting her. This way it could also be a letter from everyone at the College.

·         Friday Break, come to the Breakfast Room to sign the letter. All staff and students welcome.

Also Tariq Abid is kindly providing an Urdu translation of the letter. Malala speaks some English but this will be nice for her to see as well.

Many thanks,

Tim

LETTER (written by the President of Student Council):

Dear Malala,

We are students and staff at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, not far from where you are now. We are writing this in solidarity with your cause and with you personally. Your voice for girls' education and the courage with which you pursue it are inspiring to us. We want to express our support for your work and dedication, and also support for the many people working for girls' education around the world. We wish you and your family strength in recovering from what has happened. It is nice to know that you are being treated quite near to us. We all hope that you feel very welcomed in Birmingham.

UWC Atlantic College is a part of United World Colleges, a group of colleges around the world with the mission of making education a force to unite peoples, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. There are people from many countries and cultures here, all living and learning together. Our principal John Walmsley would like to offer you a chance to study here when you are ready. If you and your family would like, there will be a place with a full scholarship for you. To learn more about this please contact the school using the information below. It would be a great honour to have you join our school. Whether you decide that this would be a good option for you or not, we want you to know that we all hope you get well soon. We are sure whatever paths you may choose you shall do great things.

With all our best wishes, solidarity, and hope for your fast recovery,

UWC Atlantic College       

50 years of Home- UWC Red Cross Nordic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElQRzRLRY5k

Just watch it.

The Times :)

I can't actually read the whole article because I don't subscribe to The Times, but in case someone does:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/education/article3571442.ece

The International Baccalaureate: IB or not IB, that is the question

Shaped in Wales, the International Baccalaureate may prove the saviour of the English education system

It is the middle of the school day yet there are no books to be seen. Young people in wetsuits busy themselves around a lifeboat next to a long slipway on a rocky seashore. They will spend the afternoon crewing the boat, on call in case a yacht or windsurfer puts out a distress call in the Bristol Channel; at other times they will act as local lifeguards or cliff-rescue teams.

It is an education in the broadest sense: outdoor activity, speacialty skills and voluntary service.

Poject Week 2013!

Project Week

I have been accepted to go to the Krakow-Auschwitz Project March 2013. Last year I wasn’t sure whether to sign up for this project, as I was quite homesick at this time last year and didn’t want to become more upset on going to such a project. However, I know if I don’t go now I will lose the opportunity. My History teacher is amazing and has prepared an amazing five days for us. I’ll be going with Shana and Isabelle (two of my closest friends at AC), and half a dozen other friends- and then a chance to get to know more people! There are 20 of us on the trip, 41 signed down – I am very lucky!

I already wrote the itinerary in the full list of Project Weeks, but in case it was skimmed:

Programme: after an early morning flight from Bristol airport to Krakow, we will settle in the hostel, have lunch and go for a guided walk of the town centre to learn about Medieval Krakow. On the second day we will spend 3-4 hours in Kazimierz, the Jewish district of the town and later visit Schindler’s factory, which is a museum now (throughout the day we will be able to recognise numerous places from the film Schindler’s List). On the third day we will visit Auschwitz- Birkenau concentration camp. The fourth day will be spent visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines (World Heritage). On the last day there is time to do some shopping or just relax.

Photos of the last month :)

 View from the Watch Tower during a sunset.

 Before the Mount Everest Climb. I was kitted out!

 Espana!

 Abenezer from Ethiopia and I

 Mohammad from Jordan and I! (And then two Danish photo bombers in the background!)

 Afro-Caribbean! Kenya, Zimbabwe, Soth Africa, Aruba, Cayman, Cameroon, Nigeria

 My African Girls: Lea from Cameroon, Karen and Chisom from Nigeria

 Joaquin from Urguay, a beautiful girl. (He became very cold, very fast)

 Dress up as a guy day! Louis Dubois all the way.

 Our trip to St Fagans, Cardiff. Louis- Switzerland, Sav- Jamaica, Michele- Italy, Balazs- Hungary, Gabi- Norway, Leah- Domincan Republic

 Chloé volunteers to be a model for a First Year's body paiting.

 Robbie leaving, one of the our amazing AoC service instructors.

The end of the AoC climbing. YAY

MOVE

I watched this video and was so excited I had to share it.
A bunch of my friends have been practising for a Charity Dance Show (and other acts, I think) for the past month. Chloé has been choreographing the contemporary dance.

Anyways, one of my great friends, Oli from Hong Kong, produced a video to promote the event, which is on November 30th.

It has Agnete from Denmark doing dance, Karen from Nigeria running, and Chikara from Japan doing kung fu. I thought it was great.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLfRwVGWMV4

Project Week, March 2013

DESCRIPTIONS FOR 2013 PROJECT WEEK!

Two have been taken out, for travelling purposes of where they are going.

I hope to go to Paris to work on my French!

 

 

 Alpine Ski Course

 

This year the course will run in Montgenèvre in the French Alps. Like last year the project will give priority to beginners but that does not exclude others from taking part. In order to run at the price shown we need to take 32 students. The cost of the project includes all travel by coach, all food and includes 6 days of ski tuition (4 hours a day). It also includes the hire of skis, poles, boots & helmet, lift pass and some evening activities. Several second year students came with us last year and a video of last year’s trip can be seen at Resources → Project Week → AC SkiTrip 2012

Cost £630

 

Brecon Footpath Project 2013

 

http://www.visit-brecon-beacons.co.uk/images/places/sgwd_clun_gwyn.jpg

Come and join a working party for 5 days in the Brecon Beacons to learn how to repair and install footpaths.

The project lead by a National Park warden, will be located in Waterfall Country near Pontneddfechan, Vale of Neath, Powys.

The work will include:

 -          Carrying materials (timber and gravel) to site by hand

-          Repairing and installing new boardwalks

-          Re-surfacing paths with aggregate

-          Installing new timber steps

-          Clearing ditches and drains

 

As we will stay in the area and walk to the worksite each day, costs will be about £85 for the local accommodation.

 

 

Fitness, Health & Nutrition

  

A chance to try a number of activities and training opportunities - to think about how you approach fitness and to learn more about nutrition. 

 

We will be working with experts in their field from outside of the College.

Open to Female and Male students. 

Max number: 10 students

 Cost: Precise details yet to be obtained. Allow £80 per person maximum 

 Dates: Wednesday 27th February - Monday 4th March inclusive

 Accommodation: Campus based for accommodation so no costs here

 

 

Ireland Project

5 days (precise dates tbc).

£200 (tbc) which includes all transport, accommodation, educational programmes and visits, and basic food costs.

20 students (Ideally.  I suppose we could stretch to 24 max.)

 

Description:  Ireland Project 2013 will take students to various parts of Ireland on a lively trip that will explore the life and culture of this island, with a special focus on the history of conflict in Ireland and the current peace process that hopes to ensure a more stable future.

 

Paris Cultural Project

 

Duration: 5 days

 

Depart AC during afternoon of Thursday 28^th February

Return to AC during the evening of Tuesday 5^th March

 Stay at a student hostel in Monmatre

 Numbers:   2 staff + 30 students

 Cost:   £350

 Itinerary:

 Monmatre and Sacre Coeur

Latin Quarter

Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame 

Louvre Museum

Musee D'Orsay

Pompidou Centre

 

Day trip to Versailles and maybe Chartres or Fontainebleau

 

Pembrokeshire water Adventure

This is an opportunity to spend some quality time in glorious Pembrokeshire, developing skills in surfing, kayaking and coast-steering. 

We will be staying in cottages fifty metres from the nearest beach, and each cottage will be responsible for cooking for themselves - after a hard day in the water – you need to replenish your energy reserves!!

This project is open to anyone and is not the reserve of those of you in the Outdoor Faculty.  It’s a fun week where everyone will learn something new, develop skills and certainly bond as a group. 

 

Cost: approximately £130.

 

Krakow-Auschwitz Project March 2013

 

Max: 20 students

Priority given to History students

 

Programme: after an early morning flight from Bristol airport to Krakow, we will settle in the hostel, have lunch and go for a guided walk of the town centre to learn about Medieval Krakow. On the second day we will spend 3-4 hours in Kazimierz, the Jewish district of the town and later visit Schindler’s factory, which is a museum now (throughout the day we will be able to recognise numerous places from the film Schindler’s List). On the third day we will visit Auschwitz- Birkenau concentration camp. The fourth day will be spent visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines (World Heritage). On the last day there is time to do some shopping or just relax. Every day you will have some free time.

 

Cost: around £220 (includes coach to and from Bristol, flight, accommodation, all entrance tickets and guide fees and all meals).

 

Walking in Spain

Camino de Santiago or Way of Saint James.

 Number of students: 20-40

 Cost: £ 350

 Preferred dates of departure and return: From 28^th February March to 7^th March

 

We will immerse ourselves in Spanish culture & language while we follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims in the North of Spain. The particular stretch that we shall follow will use the old roads that cross forests, fields, villages, towns and historical cities and medieval bridges. The way on the Camino de Santiago is made simple by clear sign posting by the use of the symbol containing the arrow and the scallop shell. Although sometimes physically demanding, it only requires a reasonable level of fitness and a great amount of interest of nature, religion and food which makes the region unique.

Distance: 125km / 75 miles walking

Duration: 7 Nights

Activity: Walking +  Spanish Conversation +  Religion & Arts

 

Personal Development through Meditation and Applying Ancient Knowledge to Modern Living.

 

Staff:    Asbjørn Damhus

 

Brief description of the project:  Participants will be expected to try to adopt a life style of early to bed early to rise, to see if they benefit from it.  They will be presented with tools for personal development and spiritual growth and there will be collective meditations early in the morning (around sunrise) and early evening.  In the middle of the day various optional movies and DVDs of philosophical/scientific/spiritual/religious content will be shown which may stimulate introspection and critical questioning of handed down dogmas and personal views.  The project can gainfully be combined with another project, extensive revision, leisurely reading, physical exercise or other personal preferences. 

 

Geology of the Glamorgan Coast  "Walking the Outcrop"

 The Glamorgan Heritage Coast is an internationally important Geological location.  It has example of some of the most significant structures in understanding the history of the Earth.  The best bit is that they evidence is easy observe and understand for the newcomer to Geology, as well as provoking interest and curiosity for those with more knowledge. You will learn the fundamentals of Stratigraphy (reading the layers); Structural Geology (the effects of movement of the Earth's crust): Palaeontology (study of fossils) and Geomorphology (why the coast is the shape it is).  You should be surprised by how much you can see and be ready to amaze you friends with your expertise at the end of five days.

 

We will walk on the beach for a few hours each of the 5 days and cover nearly the length of the coast from Barry to Ogmore (but not all of it, just the best bits).

 

Primary School Work Experience

Project Week proposal: One week work experience placement in a local Primary School ( in Barry and Llantwit Major)

Duration: 5 days –Monday 4^th of March until Friday 8^th March 2013.

Max number: 14  students

  

Llananant Farm environmental Project

Construction and Environmental Work at Llananant Farm. This is a farm that was visited by the 2^nd year Environmental students in August 2012.

More details to follow.

 

Creative Project

            Art Peripatetic Teachers

A full week long programme of creative projects including Ceramics, printmaking, screen-printing and felt making. The week will also include a visit to galleries & museums in Cardiff or Bristol. See Lucy for full details.

 

Discover UK

 
The project will include visitits to London and Ironbridge (a heart of England base).

It will involve visits to museums, theatres and places of cultural interest.

 

Principally aimed at English B students. Cost £170 (approx.)

Number of students: 10

 

 

Mountain Biking

You will explore local mountain bike trails and SUSTRANS routes, and then move on to more advanced Mountain Biking in the Neath Valley on designated mountain bike trails.

You will learn and develop mountain bike skills and bicycle maintenance. You will also learn basic map reading and cycling safety.

Bikes will be provided but if you have your own mountain bike, you are welcome to use it.
This is suitable for novices and more experienced bike riders. You should have the basics of bike riding skills.
Proposed itinerary

Day 1 –basic biking prep to assess skills. Health and safety issues. This will be followed by a local bike ride.

Day 2 – safe road biking. Bicycle maintenance – 20 mile coastal bike

Day 3 – Sustrans bike route from Margam to Tongdu.

Days 4 and 5 – Mountain bike trails in the Afan Valley. These are world class mountain bike trails for the exclusive use of cyclists located in a beautiful natural forest. Routes vary from beginners to advanced

Number of students: 8 max
 Cost
£50 (approx. but we expect it to be less than this)