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So far Edmund Cluett has created 595 blog entries.

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.

Yale Young Global Scholars

2018-10-16T09:32:35+01:00August 16th, 2016|

During the summer two of our students, Abdul Abo Shokusr (’17) and Yangzom Dolma (’17) attended a Summer Programme at Yale University. Here is Abdul’s report:

Starting with the sophisticated yet intriguing Marbury v. Madison case and ending with capstone project presentations, ‘TED’ talk series and a talent show, two of our students (Yangzom and Abdul) participated at the Yale Young Global Scholar this summer.

Programme participants

Programme participants

Since 2001, Yale University has hosted a summer programme for high school students. Due to overwhelming interest in the programme, Yale offered six different programmes for summer 2016. The two UWC Red Cross Nordic students participated in the programme focussing on Politics, Law and Economics. Students for this programme stayed at the largest residential college at Yale, Pierson, a wonderful campus of gothic architecture and suddenly – 260 energetic high school students and talented specialists from all around the globe.

The programme lasted for two weeks – from the 19th of June until the 2nd of July. The experience was astonishing, eye-opening and instructive. The topics of the lectures extended from the American constitution to the economics of poverty alleviation to international law. During the programme, opportunities were given to students to participate in a culture show, talk series, special meals with Yale faculty team including its professors, PhD candidates and the dean of the college and we also had tours around Yale Law School.

Yangzom and Abdul in their groupEngaging in thought-provoking seminars, listening to controversial opinions in the lecture hall, taking part in round-table fruitful discussions, exploring new academic interests, researching for capstone projects and spending ‘family time’ with people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. All of that helped shape the experience of YYGS Students who left the New Haven campus with greater intellectual curiosity, enhanced academic interests and a new network of people representing all the 50 states of the United States and over a hundred nations.

For UWC students the experience of living with people from all around the world is not new, nevertheless, being in a similar atmosphere for an extensive educational program within one of the best universities around the world was an unforgettable experience.

Please write to us with your experiences during the summer.

Elias Rodriguez ’15-’17

2018-10-16T09:32:35+01:00August 2nd, 2016|

Elias Rodriguez (Argentina RCN) was offered a one month placement at a residential school in the UK for the month of July – and the first month of RCN’s summer break – and joined a fellow UWC student – Jacqueline Nkhonjera from Malawi – from Waterford Kamhlaba for the experience.

Elias reports:

‘The time that I spent at Marlborough College was really incredible – and it was my first time being in the UK as well. When I arrived there, Mr James Lyon-Taylor (my new House Mentor) received me showing me my room and telling me about the house and so on. At first, it was a bit complicated to remember the names of all the students in my House (Littlefield) and my new set of teachers.

It was interesting to see some small differences between UWC RCN and Marlborough and to start to learn their ways to communicate. Being in the House was awesome: it was nice to have their kindness every day helping me with my new timetable and stuff, which also made me feel really comfortable in the House.

On the other hand, I was also taking part in classes while the students were preparing for the exams. From my point of view, one of the best things for me was the learning support that I received, helping me with my homework – so I am really thankful for that. I also spent five days in Wales on a creative writing trip, which was fabulous. I had the opportunity to improve my writing and to get to know some amazing people during the trip.

Furthermore I am really thankful to Mr Robin Cockett, who was the teacher in charge of my programme at the College. For instant, being with him I got to know a bit about the history of Marlborough town and other places near to it. I also visited Swindon Academy and London as part of my visit.

To conclude, I travelled back from the UK with my Rektor and he invited me on a fishing expedition with his friends, another teacher from RCN (Hilde) and her husband. I lost a salmon on the Flekke River and ended up losing more hooks than catching fish!

I felt really proud for having this holiday, enjoying each moment of it and taking advantage of everything. Elias.’

Please click here for Jacqui’s report on her time at Marlborough with Elias.

UWC Pastoral Care Conference

2018-10-16T09:32:35+01:00August 2nd, 2016|

In mid-June, a UWC Pastoral Care Conference was held at Pearson College, Canada over five days. It was designed to bring together residential staff from all UWCs in the spirit of connectivity and collaboration. We were delighted that there were representatives from all the UWC schools and colleges, including the two prospective campuses in Thailand and Japan.

All the teams present at the conference are committed to providing a strong, supportive and responsive pastoral progamme on each of our campuses.

The RCN Delegation consisted of Larry (Rektor), Alistair (Deputy Rektor), Judit (House Mentor), Lena (nurse) and Arne (Director of Development).

Jens Waltermann presentingWe were delighted that Jens Waltermann, the Executive Director of UWC, joined us for the majority of the programme – eager to listen and learn about pastoral developments in all our colleges. Laurence Nodder and Larry Lamont, Rektors of UWC RBC and UWC RCN respectively, were the Heads present and responsible for the conference. For Larry’s welcoming address, please click here.

The residential teams present at the conference came together having listened to feedback on respective campuses from residential staff and having brought many student ‘voices’ (experiences, struggles, mental health issues, and personal UWC challenges) in their backpacks.

The programme consisted of presentations, workshops and discussion groups on many pastoral subjects including: health and wellness, safety and security, supporting students of concern, gender and sexuality issues, mindfulness and social and emotional learning, dealing with trauma, promoting regular sleep patterns, and much more.

The main objective of the conference was for participants to share experiences and learning and then to take back what we learnt to our respective schools and colleges. In essence, this was a conference designed to provide professional development, a springboard for ongoing collaboration and support, for the benefit for the students on our campuses.

The Annual UWC Admissions Meeting was organized to coincide with the Pastoral Care Conference – and we spent one day with a shared agenda.

Thank you to the hosting team at Pearson who succeeded in delivering a highly stimulating conference and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all participants.

Sarah Hamilton, Director of Boarding at Atlantic College, captured the spirit of the conference in the final plenary session: ‘I have worked at AC for over 20 years and this conference has helped me feel part of a global UWC community for the very first time. Thank you.’

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