Husseina Nurbhai, Grade 11
UWCEA (Arusha)
Dear 14 year old me,
I would normally start by asking you how life is, but since I am you, I already know. It’s tough. I am writing to you today as your 17-year-old, almost to be an adult self, but don’t panic; it’s less crazy than it seems, I promise. Why don’t you just hear me out?
I know life pretty much sucks right now. You hate going to school because of those girls, you don’t like your favourite chocolate mint ice cream anymore, and you are thinking to yourself, ‘Is it ever going to get better?’. Well, today’s your lucky day as I am here to ask you to just hold on a little longer because life’s going to turn itself around for the better.
You know those girls that kept pushing you around, trying to make you feel like you wouldn’t accomplish anything in life? You prove to them that you can do wonderful things! You study so damn hard and earn a scholarship to United World College East Africa in Arusha, and this becomes the first step to a whole new life. You board there with three of the most awesome roommates and realize how beautiful life is. You realize how thankful you are to God and your family for where you are, and that UWCEA Arusha is everything you ever wanted a school to be to study at, and more.
You know the small bubble you got tired of living in? Well, that bubble is about to burst soon. You will step out of your comfort zone and live your best life. You will meet amazing people who will become the best of your friends, from all around the world, and you will be taught by the friendliest teachers who will make you wonder how you ended up there.
I would normally start by asking you how life is, but since I am you, I already know. It’s tough. I am writing to you today as your 17-year-old, almost to be an adult self, but don’t panic; it’s less crazy than it seems, I promise. Why don’t you just hear me out?
I know life pretty much sucks right now. You hate going to school because of those girls, you don’t like your favourite chocolate mint ice cream anymore, and you are thinking to yourself, ‘Is it ever going to get better?’. Well, today’s your lucky day as I am here to ask you to just hold on a little longer because life’s going to turn itself around for the better.
You know those girls that kept pushing you around, trying to make you feel like you wouldn’t accomplish anything in life? You prove to them that you can do wonderful things! You study so damn hard and earn a scholarship to United World College East Africa in Arusha, and this becomes the first step to a whole new life. You board there with three of the most awesome roommates and realize how beautiful life is. You realize how thankful you are to God and your family for where you are, and that UWCEA Arusha is everything you ever wanted a school to be to study at, and more.
You know the small bubble you got tired of living in? Well, that bubble is about to burst soon. You will step out of your comfort zone and live your best life. You will meet amazing people who will become the best of your friends, from all around the world, and you will be taught by the friendliest teachers who will make you wonder how you ended up there.
You know that awful feeling that you get every morning before going to school? Yeah, that’s going to go away! You will wake up every day and actually want to go to school. You will start to value education and everything that comes with it. With lush green lawns, buildings made of recycled plastic, and a cosy boarding house, UWCEA Arusha will become your own little Hogwarts. When you will sit down and think of your journey, tears will well up in your eyes, and you will realize how lucky you are. But, in that moment, you will know that it wasn’t really luck that got you there, it was hard work. See, school won’t just be school anymore, it will be home.
You know all those things you want to do that you think about before going to bed? You are going to do all of them! You will summit a mountain with friends through the OP program at school. You will start your very own debate club, host a tournament on campus and win it. You will celebrate Halloween by dressing up and everything! You will see one of the most beautiful hot springs ever. You will go on super fun school trips that will have you travelling on the top of your headmaster’s Range Rover. You will join your school’s football team (I am not saying you will be great at it, but you will enjoy it). I know right, who would have thought. But most of all, you will love life again.
You know all those things you want to do that you think about before going to bed? You are going to do all of them! You will summit a mountain with friends through the OP program at school. You will start your very own debate club, host a tournament on campus and win it. You will celebrate Halloween by dressing up and everything! You will see one of the most beautiful hot springs ever. You will go on super fun school trips that will have you travelling on the top of your headmaster’s Range Rover. You will join your school’s football team (I am not saying you will be great at it, but you will enjoy it). I know right, who would have thought. But most of all, you will love life again.
So, all I am asking you to do is hold on a little while longer because you are about to have one hell of a lifetime experience. It will be something you never thought you would get. It will challenge you in all ways possible but honey, one thing I can tell you with certainty is that you will be happy again. So, don’t forget to pray and stop fighting with your mother about the tiniest of things!
With love,
Husseina :) |
www.unitedworldwide.co