2013!

I’m back!

Last term was frantic, and most of the events that went on I had already posted about the previous year. Also, a big lesson to learn… once you start to put something off it just becomes more and more less appealing to do as it becomes a bigger task = my blog.

So, hopefully, I will become better at writing at least a short one weekly, with longer posts for the more exciting initiatives that go on.

***

I arrived back yesterday to cold weather to many energetic faces- mine not so much as there were just too many good movies to watch on my 12 hour flight to think about sleeping. The then 3 hour bus ride back I caught up with Chloé and fell asleep on her lap J Unpacking was a mission in itself, but everything I own truly is essential.

Today was finding more friends, catching up on all of our ‘amazing’ winter breaks, where predominantly we did nothing. Ah. I also went to the gym, read some history notes in my newly adopted carrel unit and checked the daunting number of e-mails.

I’ve received conditional offers so far from University of Bristol and Exeter to study Law, the other three said they would wait until all of the applications are in to start sorting out the applicants, so a few more weeks still until I find out. I’ve been hearing from quite a few friends that they are taking gap years, it seems sooo nice. Hopefully some will manage to visit me at Uni, or if they’re travelling around the world stop by ;)

My service has stayed the same, doing Tuesday afternoon with four other second years (this time: Karen from Nigeria, Proma from too many places, Shaan from Zambia and Saleh from Palestine), working with 10 year olds doing: mountain boarding, canoeing and initiatives games. It should be good fun, hopefully not bitterly cold.

My activities will be allocated in the coming week. I get to sign down for four additional ones including Children’s Charities, knowing that I will only get two for this term.

The four others I signed down for were:

Circuit Training 14:15-16:15	Paul Belcher	An intense physical workout using a series of varied exercises that will target your cardiovascular conditioning, improving endurance and strength.	Outdoor
Newsflash 19:00-20:00	Christopher Saltmarsh,   Kaan Giray	Newsflash is an opportunity to discuss global issues and current events with passionate people from the countries involved. The activity takes full advantage of the international nature of our college and epitomizes what AC and UWC is all about: sharing and learning from our experiences. It also provides a means of bursting the AC bubble intellectually, psychologically, and emotionally.	Global
Repercussions of Cold War in Central America 19:00-20:00	Juan Jose Palacio  Karen Martinez	This class will be about Central America's political history. We will go in depth in the effects that North America and the Cold War had specifically in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. And finally, how these society was modified by those events.	Global
A Bite of China 19:00-21:00	Weitao Zhu  Yihan Xu  Yiran Shan	A blessing for foodies!  Food is a peculiar approach to society and culture. Cuisine, shaped by various characters of regions and people, or based on different social purposes, reflects numerous aspects of life.  This activity will, therefore, from the perspective of food, talk about traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, including ancient Chinese philosophy (preservation of nature), social interaction and local  customs. In the activity, we will watch a classic TV documentary--a bite of china and discuss the modern dilemma --- sticking to heritages or updating the technique, how to face the invasion of fast food, etc. Through viewing, discussing and potential DIY practicing, we would love to display the little-known sides of Chinese civilization.	Global

We’ll see which two I get J

Children’s Charities will be busy this term, organising the International Show which I really hope goes well.

Anyways, someone is waiting for the computer!

All my love,
Abi

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.