Tenzin Tsomo, Grade 11
UWC Red Cross Nordic
People live in the same world with entirely different perspectives. One same thing can be black and white to some but may appear in neon highlights for others. Here at UWC, we share these viewpoints as people from diverse cultures; It's lovely to see something from a perspective that has never occurred to you. Today I will share from my angle the UWC tradition that I love the most.
Every year we have a bonfire night near the edge of the fjord. The evening starts with ice creams and cokes at a freezing Antarctic temperature, and then the loud booming music is played against the backdrop of the vast and quiet mountains. It is sort of ironic in a way. It's cold! Let's eat ice creams! The fjord is so peaceful… Good! Let's put some noise over it! And I absolutely love it for that. In a way, it becomes a symbol, telling that not having fun is never because of the outside but, because of you. You can find joy when your heart seeks it, and I found it in a perfect place at the bonfire.
The ice creams and the snacks would be completely finished in a second, with no sight of a second serving. The students gather around the bonfire and just sit and enjoy each other's company. The irony is a wonderful conversation starter and the bonfire being the ideal distraction from your thoughts. Soon after, the teachers would leave, and songs from the boombox get a bit riskier and the atmosphere a bit wilder. The composure of the people loosens up, and that's when the true bonding starts.
When the bonfire starts, the students are in groups of their own social circles; that may be fun, but there's no UWC spirit in that. But as the night goes on and the feeling of no tomorrow sets in, the people start to interact. The sound of laughter multiplies, and the overall environment becomes brighter as the sky gets darker.
This UWC experience might not be the most interesting, but hey! I still have a year left to fill up my memories. From the year that I have lived at UWC, I have seen all those flashy presentations of nations and the cherished pranks that caught us dumbstruck.,but the bonfire gathering hit me differently. I got to notice the start, where the students stood within their comfort zones and hung out amongst themselves. Then I got to see the middle, the awkward stepping outs, and the nervous chuckles. And at last, I saw the ending, the laughing faces, and the warm glow from everyone. In a night, I saw how people were eager to socialise but were not put in the right space to do so. The night of the bonfire was beautiful. From that night, I learned how to eat ice cream in front of a fire and how wonderful it is to see people from all over the world try and talk to each other.
Every year we have a bonfire night near the edge of the fjord. The evening starts with ice creams and cokes at a freezing Antarctic temperature, and then the loud booming music is played against the backdrop of the vast and quiet mountains. It is sort of ironic in a way. It's cold! Let's eat ice creams! The fjord is so peaceful… Good! Let's put some noise over it! And I absolutely love it for that. In a way, it becomes a symbol, telling that not having fun is never because of the outside but, because of you. You can find joy when your heart seeks it, and I found it in a perfect place at the bonfire.
The ice creams and the snacks would be completely finished in a second, with no sight of a second serving. The students gather around the bonfire and just sit and enjoy each other's company. The irony is a wonderful conversation starter and the bonfire being the ideal distraction from your thoughts. Soon after, the teachers would leave, and songs from the boombox get a bit riskier and the atmosphere a bit wilder. The composure of the people loosens up, and that's when the true bonding starts.
When the bonfire starts, the students are in groups of their own social circles; that may be fun, but there's no UWC spirit in that. But as the night goes on and the feeling of no tomorrow sets in, the people start to interact. The sound of laughter multiplies, and the overall environment becomes brighter as the sky gets darker.
This UWC experience might not be the most interesting, but hey! I still have a year left to fill up my memories. From the year that I have lived at UWC, I have seen all those flashy presentations of nations and the cherished pranks that caught us dumbstruck.,but the bonfire gathering hit me differently. I got to notice the start, where the students stood within their comfort zones and hung out amongst themselves. Then I got to see the middle, the awkward stepping outs, and the nervous chuckles. And at last, I saw the ending, the laughing faces, and the warm glow from everyone. In a night, I saw how people were eager to socialise but were not put in the right space to do so. The night of the bonfire was beautiful. From that night, I learned how to eat ice cream in front of a fire and how wonderful it is to see people from all over the world try and talk to each other.
www.unitedworldwide.co