Syeda Daniyah Ali, Grade 12
UWCEA (Moshi)
First step out of the airport and I was struck with a wave of heat, humidity and hugs. Being suddenly wrapped up in the arms of at least nine different people at once took all the anxiety and homesickness away. But I remember missing dinner the first day I arrived. For a girl who hasn’t left her home for a long period of time, missing dinner was devastating. And that’s how my first night at UWC East Africa started, crying. But it was only two minutes into my away from home crying session that I heard a knock on my door. We’re ordering food, do you want to join us? and I thought to myself, mom is that you? That was the night I was introduced to Tanzania’s infamous dish, chips mayai. Alongside indulging in the oddest combination of eggs and fries, I got to know two beautiful people, who didn’t let me feel let alone, be lonely on my first night there.
Orientation week was full of energy and myself. In a dining room full of people dancing, I would be standing on a table, using my phone’s flash as a disco ball. I told myself I was helping out the DJ. In my twenty minutes of being at the party, I was given a nickname, the shy girl. When I realised the party wasn’t my cup of tea, I headed back to my dorm. As I was going inside, a few 12th graders (my seniors) were playing monopoly. I decided I wasn’t going to live up to my nickname and attempted to make small talk. I think I did good, because I ended up playing monopoly with them, except my nickname got promoted to the shy and nice girl. At least I was nice now and had made friends through a board game, who are still the closest to me.
One essential thing about UWC EA is our love for sports. Not mine, like all other aspects of UWC EA, I’m the black sheep in this one too. However, the most precious memory that I have is of a sports event. The 24 Hour Run. It was the most awaited event of the first semester. I loved and enjoyed it, partly because I didn’t have to do anything but also for how it made all the black sheep enjoy walking ten laps of our football field. With music from all around the world (even Bollywood), and setting the most important goal for this event, our community, we were all highly motivated. The money raised by this event was for the future UWC EA scholarships. This was something all of us were willing to work towards, to make our community grow and flourish.
From the helpers around the school to our principal, everyone has the warmest smile on their face. Making friends while eating the best but the weirdest meals, playing board games that never end or dancing to Spanish songs on our football field, is what makes UWC EA special. Yes, I danced. That’s what UWC EA does to you, makes you step out of your comfort zone in the most comfortable manner possible. From the first day up until now, I know I can count on each and every one of my fellow UWCers. From the first hug I got at the airport to feeling comfortable fitting in by not fitting in, I knew I was home. It was all these and many more little but precious and cherishable moments that made me realise we’re all in for a ride, together.
Orientation week was full of energy and myself. In a dining room full of people dancing, I would be standing on a table, using my phone’s flash as a disco ball. I told myself I was helping out the DJ. In my twenty minutes of being at the party, I was given a nickname, the shy girl. When I realised the party wasn’t my cup of tea, I headed back to my dorm. As I was going inside, a few 12th graders (my seniors) were playing monopoly. I decided I wasn’t going to live up to my nickname and attempted to make small talk. I think I did good, because I ended up playing monopoly with them, except my nickname got promoted to the shy and nice girl. At least I was nice now and had made friends through a board game, who are still the closest to me.
One essential thing about UWC EA is our love for sports. Not mine, like all other aspects of UWC EA, I’m the black sheep in this one too. However, the most precious memory that I have is of a sports event. The 24 Hour Run. It was the most awaited event of the first semester. I loved and enjoyed it, partly because I didn’t have to do anything but also for how it made all the black sheep enjoy walking ten laps of our football field. With music from all around the world (even Bollywood), and setting the most important goal for this event, our community, we were all highly motivated. The money raised by this event was for the future UWC EA scholarships. This was something all of us were willing to work towards, to make our community grow and flourish.
From the helpers around the school to our principal, everyone has the warmest smile on their face. Making friends while eating the best but the weirdest meals, playing board games that never end or dancing to Spanish songs on our football field, is what makes UWC EA special. Yes, I danced. That’s what UWC EA does to you, makes you step out of your comfort zone in the most comfortable manner possible. From the first day up until now, I know I can count on each and every one of my fellow UWCers. From the first hug I got at the airport to feeling comfortable fitting in by not fitting in, I knew I was home. It was all these and many more little but precious and cherishable moments that made me realise we’re all in for a ride, together.
www.unitedworldwide.co