Veerle Koops, Grade 12
UWCEA Arusha Campus
Friendship currently makes my life special. In the past it has too, but the shape in which friendship comes into my life has changed - and its influence with it. I am very aware that everyone is able to experience their relations with others differently. That is part of its value.
When a student attends a UWC as a boarding student, some realise (or already know) they prefer to spend time alone. Some thrive on spending time with others. The last group is really lucky to find themselves among others as much as they wish to, and at any hour, really.
Personally, I am an evening person and I believe these hours are the best ones of my day. When I mentioned the change in friendship in my life, this is mostly because I used to spend these hours reading, and now I spend them running around, talking and laughing. At night all the students are in their dorms, and we often spend this time together.
Afternoons are often lower on energy, mostly because our responsibilities are calling. On weekends however, we can go into Arusha town. I think this is a different perspective on the developments of our relationships: all the students moved to a new culture, and we are only really starting to understand the workings of this place that is a new world to us when we go into town and learn. I realise that this shared experience is a bond between people, even when there is nothing else. I have met people in my last year on this campus that I share this interest with, and I sincerely believe that this is one of the most beautiful things about our friendship, even when there are so many good things that this experience is competing with.
Then there are mornings: to me slower, but the air and our campus is the most beautiful during this time. I have specific friends that I get up with, and we make coffee together.
The common area of UWC East Africa Arusha campus is a roofed space outside. We, as students, are able to spend most of our time outside if we wish to. In the common area people study, talk, cook and make coffee. The latter I enjoy doing, I make coffee for my friends and myself. For one, because Tanzania has mastered the skill of producing coffee, but also because for me making coffee is a way of expressing my love for people. I am lucky to find myself doing this a lot.
When a student attends a UWC as a boarding student, some realise (or already know) they prefer to spend time alone. Some thrive on spending time with others. The last group is really lucky to find themselves among others as much as they wish to, and at any hour, really.
Personally, I am an evening person and I believe these hours are the best ones of my day. When I mentioned the change in friendship in my life, this is mostly because I used to spend these hours reading, and now I spend them running around, talking and laughing. At night all the students are in their dorms, and we often spend this time together.
Afternoons are often lower on energy, mostly because our responsibilities are calling. On weekends however, we can go into Arusha town. I think this is a different perspective on the developments of our relationships: all the students moved to a new culture, and we are only really starting to understand the workings of this place that is a new world to us when we go into town and learn. I realise that this shared experience is a bond between people, even when there is nothing else. I have met people in my last year on this campus that I share this interest with, and I sincerely believe that this is one of the most beautiful things about our friendship, even when there are so many good things that this experience is competing with.
Then there are mornings: to me slower, but the air and our campus is the most beautiful during this time. I have specific friends that I get up with, and we make coffee together.
The common area of UWC East Africa Arusha campus is a roofed space outside. We, as students, are able to spend most of our time outside if we wish to. In the common area people study, talk, cook and make coffee. The latter I enjoy doing, I make coffee for my friends and myself. For one, because Tanzania has mastered the skill of producing coffee, but also because for me making coffee is a way of expressing my love for people. I am lucky to find myself doing this a lot.
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