mid-year contemplation

Phew. Just finished clearing the cobwebs on this blog.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come...

Boy am I excited at the impending holidays; christmas, going home and taking a break from everything:) After talking to Foong yesterday, I realised how out of touch I was with everything and everyone. Life here seems to work on a totally different time zone(nevermind that it actually is), and it frankly seems like I've been here forever.

Not that i'm not enjoying myself, I mean with climbing and activities every minute and hour, it's almost impossible to ever feel bored. Making pancakes at 2am in the morning? Heh:) And, tomorrow's St Nicholas Day, which is an excuse good enough for the Commune to hold a christmas party in the main piazza, complete with hot wine and performances:)

It's not that we don't do work here, why any of the second-years (and some first-years too) can probably write an extended essay just based on the things that they need to do, but then they'll never finish, because the work never does too. I'm taking time now to enjoy my first year, when i dont have to worry about university apps, ees, tok, basically all and sundry.

The thing though is that despite the work, there's just so much else on offer. And I mean activities:p MUN club tomorrow, carolling practice today, concert on Sunday, street bazaar, SOSudan, anything and everything. The only thing about many of the official events is that lots of it is in italian and so I don't understand all that I would like to. I mean seriously, speeches are often quite interesting?

And yet, at the same time, many of us seem to wonder why we deserved to get this chance. It's definitely not only about bringing young people from all over the world together, and allowing them to have a cultural exchange. Why, if that was so, it could be done in many more less costly ways.

United World Colleges makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures to ensure peace and a sustainable future.

Personally, much of what we contribute back to UWC and the sponsors will take place after we leave the college, while in our different environments, spreading the simple messages of greater understanding and an interest in the world in those around us.

But that should also not stop us from doing something while at the college, making use of the vast talents and expertise of everyone here. Something that is able to effect a practical change in a situation that needs help. Something that must be sustained and constantly and persistently worked on.
We need to do more.