Great Expectations

This was an article that I did for the UWC Magazine
http://interuwcmag.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/great-expectations/

 I live in a bubble. Granted, it’s a brilliant bubble on an amazing island. I could not imagine a better upbringing than of living in the Cayman Islands – where the beach is never more than five minutes away and you cannot go to the supermarket without seeing a familiar face. The idea of ‘broadening my horizons’ has always appealed to me and after the UWC presentation at my school I was completely infatuated. Explaining to friends the ‘Why’ factor of wanting to leave this bubble was not an easy feat; I didn’t try to start with as I simply assumed my application was a long shot with nothing lost in trying. When my acceptance was confirmed I actually dropped my phone. My friends were so proud and bear hugged me. My teachers (mostly English) have warned me incessantly about the sheep…my tutor went as far as to ‘BAAA’ at me every time I passed him in the hall. My mum, well she’s still looking for a loop-hole so I won’t have to leave the nest two-years before expected.

I may have three months to go, but my journey has already begun – cyberly. Meeting my co-years on Facebook and talking to two wonderful girls from Cameroon and Monte Carlo already is fantastic. My bubble is about to pop into something far greater than my comfortable, familiar life on my small Island home. I’m ready for challenges and to learn more about the world, to push the boundaries and work together in making that ‘difference’ that everyone seems to talk about mysteriously. I wouldn’t say I’m ignorant or unaware, just never been given the opportunity to experience things myself as I’m positive I will at UWC of the Atlantic.

The idea of a bubble is an interesting one…we’re all going to be sharing dorms, classes, food… blowing our own bubbles, popping others and chasing the best until they’ve risen higher than possible to stop.