At Red Cross Nordic UWC, learning is a holistic journey. Students embark on enriching experiences that spark their interests, develop their abilities, and forge meaningful connections.  For two weeks in February experiential learning takes over the Campus: second-years are preparing for upcoming exams through practice tests, while first-years have been enjoying a snowy adventure on skis, gaining valuable first-aid skills, and taking part in a mock Model UN conference.

Mock Exams: Practice Makes Perfect

The mock exams leading up to the May IB exams are like a dress rehearsal for the big performance. By taking these practice tests, students gain valuable experience with the exam format and identify topics requiring further study. Mock exam scores also factor into year-end grades, so treating them seriously and using them as a learning tool is essential.

Trading Textbooks for Snow: Friluftsveka

While mock exams occupied the second years, first-year students embraced the Nordic winter wonderland during their annual ski adventure, or “friluftsveka.” This week-long immersion in Stryn saw them carving through snowy slopes, crackling fires illuminating their evenings, and even braving an overnight stay under the stars. Stepping outside their comfort zones, they forged connections with nature and each other. Even for those new to skis, their spirit of adventure and resilience shone brightly throughout the week.

First Aid Course: Preparing for the Unexpected

The RCN First Aid Course equips all first-year students with the confidence to act in an emergency. This intensive 12-hour program is led by David Robertson, who not only teaches Biology and Chemistry but is also a certified member of the Norwegian Search and Rescue Corps and the RCN First Aid team who trained for a year! Based on the Norwegian Red Cross program, the course equips students with essential first-aid skills. Standout students can take their knowledge even further by joining the college’s first aid team. This elite group hones advanced techniques, learns wilderness first aid, and even has the opportunity to become instructors, sharing their expertise with future first-year students.

Global Citizens in Action: The RCN Model United Nations

The annual RCN Model UN is a special intellectual challenge, emotional engagement, and even a touch of physical demand – a unique experience that caters to diverse learning styles. Facilitated by passionate second-year students, the conference offers a wider array of committees than ever before. From the Security Council tackling modern issues to committees like Refugees, Drugs and Crimes, UN Women, the Economic and Social Council, and the World Health Organization, all offer opportunities to delve into pressing global matters.

The culminating General Assembly debate focused on a critical issue: “The promotion and protection of the rights of children in times of conflict”

The RCN Model UN is more than just a conference; it’s a springboard for developing global perspectives. Students research and debate current issues, hone their critical thinking and public speaking skills, and collaborate on solutions to complex problems. It’s a truly transformative experience for all involved.

Project-Based Learning Week: Learning Through Experiences

Following their mock exams, second-year students dived into Project-Based Learning Week. This week offers a platform for them to explore diverse interests and gain valuable skills. Some students took on leadership roles, facilitating the First Aid course and Model UN for the first-year students. Meanwhile, others pursue projects ranging from outdoor adventures like skiing and artistic expression to entrepreneurship. Through collaboration and skill development, Project-Based Learning Week fosters personal growth and strengthens the bonds within the RCN community.

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. We were honoured to be invited to take part in the celebrations taking place in Oslo in December every year, this year represented by Shahed (Palestine), Elinor (Germany/Serbia), Shari (Tibet), Maya (Morocco/Colombia), Norkis (Venezuela) accompanied by Leonora (Norway).

The ceremony is a highlight for everyone worldwide working for a more just and peaceful world. The empty chair at the front intended for Narges Mohammadi was a powerful reminder for all those who put their own needs aside to fight for a better world for all of us. Ms Mohammadi’s relentless effort over the last 20 years fighting for women’s rights has made her a symbol of freedom and a standard-bearer in the struggle against the Iranian theocracy. She herself has commented on her Peace Price as follows: “I will never stop striving for the realisation of democracy, freedom, and equality. Surely, the Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic”

“Zan, Zendegi, Azadi”
“Women, Life, Freedom”

“With these words, we entered the Oslo Radhus, all of us mesmerised by the ginormous and decadent building in the center of Oslo. After coming in, we found ourselves in a hall full of faces unknown to most of us. But this shouldn’t be the case for too long, as we quickly found company, and conversed with many different people, about the world and the Nobel Peace Laureate 2023 Narges Mohammadi. Many had interesting stories to tell or anecdotes about their first time at the Nobel Peace Prize, and we felt welcomed immediately.

With the ring of a bell, we had to end our conversations and continue up the stairs to the Nobel Peace Prize hall, where we were seated, looking directly at the artworks created on the wall above. Feelings of nervousness and excitement rushed through us, as the Royal Family entered and the trumpets played. The Chair of the Norwegian Noble Peace Prize, Berit Reiss-Andersen, welcomed us to the Ceremony. It began with a moving song by an Iranian artist, that went close to the heart to all of us, with many in the audience shedding a tear.

The missing Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, incarcerated in Tehran, was missed firmly when her Son, Ali, and daughter, Kiana, whom Ms. Mohammadi has not seen in 7 years, received the Nobel Peace Prize in her name, and delivered an emotional rollercoaster of a speech, moving every single individual in the audience, including us.

Finishing off with a traditional Iranian song, accompanied by tableh (an eastern instrument often found in the Orient), The ceremony was completed.
We found ourselves questioning and wondering about the morality and unfairness of the world, wanting to see betterment in the situation, especially in Iran, but accompanied with the feelings of powerlessness, as we understood the magnitude of work that would be needed, and that Narges Mohammadi works on every single day of her life.”
Shahid, Elinor, Maya, Nokris, Shari

Peace Prize Forum

The Nobel Peace Prize Celebrations in Oslo also brought us to the Peace Prize Forum the following day with the theme, “Iran – burning for democracy”. It was a deeply moving and heavy experience with testimony about the injustice committed against women and children in Iran. At the same time, the forum showed an enormous fighting spirit and not only hope, but certainty that things will change for the Iranian people.

Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition

The celebrations concluded with the opening of the Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition named WOMAN – LIFE – FREEDOM opened by Narges Mohammadi`s family. Her children, Kiana and Ali, chanted ‘Zan, Zendegi, Azadi’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) as they opened the exhibition about their mother and the women fighting for freedom and human rights in Iran.

“If she was present here, she would still be the voice of all prisoners. Narges always puts others before herself”, Narges Mohammadi’s husband Taghi Rahmani said on stage.

Also present at the exhibition opening was 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi who worked alongside Narges in the organisation Defenders of Human Rights Center.

Visits in Oslo

Combining participation at the Nobel Peace Celebrations with visits to the Norwegian Red Cross, the Parliament, the Peace and Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) and making new friends with the London-based NGO, the Renaissance Foundation, the days have left us full of admiration, and we are grateful for new insights, new knowledge and for all new friends! As an educational institution with a clear mission to use education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future, participating in the Nobel Peace Celebrations gives inspiration for the work ahead.