Dan Silfwerin – A Star is Born

2016-08-21T15:24:34+01:00August 21st, 2016|

On Sunday 21st August our very own Dan Silfwerin (Swedish and English teacher) was invited to perform in the finale of  ‘Mimi Goes Glamping’ at Åmot Operagard. The Bergen National Opera created a community opera based on the local Fjaler kommune story Murmartinstein i Fjella (Murmartinstein in the mountains).

Bergen National Opera’s director Tom Guthrie and chorus master Håkon Matti Skrede worked with members of the local community to build this opera based on folk music and songs – it also featured Sir Thomas Allen, one of the world’s most accomplished singers, in the role as the troll.

There was a large contingent of UWC RCN staff and families supporting Dan at the finale of the festival.

Summer Camps at RCN

2018-10-16T09:32:34+01:00August 20th, 2016|

Camp FjalirAfter a week for our cleaners to get all of the student rooms ship-shape after the student exodus, the campus was yet again filled up with excited new faces. As always, the Red Cross in our region provided the main group of visitors over the summer. New for this year was “Camp Fjaler”, an international camp for physically disabled participants, run by UWC Connect for the Lion’s Club, involving co-operation with Haugland Rehabilitation. It is our ambition that this shall become an annual event. At the heart of our summer programme is the co-operation between volunteers and our own professionals. Because of this we can offer great holiday experiences for truly diverse groups. “Haugland is the ideal place for camps like this, both when it comes to the beautiful fjord landscape, the facilities and the competence of the staff. Our participants go home with fresh new perspectives and experiences”, says Franzie Lerch, leader of Camp Fjaler.

It’s been a good summer.

Staff Introduction Week at RCN

2018-10-16T09:32:34+01:00August 19th, 2016|

It has been Staff Introduction Week at RCN this week – this is an opportunity for staff to learn about the activities that have been happening on campus over the course of June and July, for Support and Education Staff to reconnect after the summer break, and for professional development / training and for preparation for the beginning of the academic year.

This year’s Staff Introduction Week has featured a ‘pot luck’ dinner, induction for new staff, meetings, presentations and discussions. Professional development included training offered by a team of staff on communication (based on Red Cross Street Mediation) and intercultural understanding.

This year, we were joined by Tove Veierød – the Chair of our Board. Please click here for her address to all staff.

On Thursday, we had our professional development and team building away day. Education and Support Staff were able to choose from three options based on the College’s three pillars: a course on traditional Norwegian baking, an introduction to the German occupation of Norway during the Second World War, and an expedition to Alden, a mountain island at the entrance to the Dalsfjord. The day finished with a staff barbecue at the Høegh. Click here for an album of photographs.

Staff Introduction Week focuses on working together and community building – how best to support each other as we, in turn, seek to support the students in our care.

Kasia Dybek (’07 – ’09)

2016-08-16T14:35:40+01:00August 16th, 2016|

I graduated from RCN eight years ago, but I feel it’s been only in the last few years that I truly discovered what I experienced and realised how lucky I was, and still am, for those two years in Flekke. Some people have their plans set out even before attending UWC, knowing exactly what they want to do and taking the right steps through college, university and first jobs. I feel very blessed to have had the last eight years full of amazing people, places and different lessons getting me to where I am now.

From Norway I moved to the US to study graphic design – with no previous training or even considering it as a possible profession. At the time I did hesitate, because most of my friends studied economics, political science, law – very ‘UWC’ majors – and a creative course seemed less structured, or as I thought, less ‘useful’. However, after four years of very focused program I feel that rather than only a degree, I earned an actual practical skill, creative on one side, but also very pragmatical and versatile.

I was always interested in different topics from art to history to science and design is applicable to all. To link these interests, I studied for a masters in sustainable design in London with a focus on human-centered design. Human interactions are at the core of everything we do and how we do it is what design looks at.

After working in design jobs, I decided to move from the visual work and joined the UWC International office in London. I started working with the national committees and since the beginning I have been working with the management team and the UWC governance bodies. It’s been a 180 degree switch from how I perceived UWC as a student and alumna and how I understand the movement today. It never stops to amaze me that there are so many dedicated people, from volunteers to admin staff and teachers doing their best so more and more students can experience the transformative ‘UWC moments’.

Thanks to my work and living in one of the biggest alumni hubs, I am in touch with many UWC friends living or passing through London and I am getting married to Ezequiel, my Argentinean co-year next year. We are of course very excited and cannot wait to come back to Norway and Flekke soon!

For profiles and news of other students and alumni, click here.

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