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.

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.

Go to Top