Vashti Chowla, Grade 9
UWCSEA (East)
Collaboration isn’t a skill. It’s a mindset. If there is one thing I’ve been taught here at UWC, it’s how to work with others to create something beautiful. I won’t lie, before coming here and in my early years at UWC, I would have never thought I’d be singing the praises of group work. I was always of the mindset that ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ until I realised that all of us didn’t have to cook.
One of us could lead, another could add a little lemon zest for the broth; while the third could be in charge of overseeing the recipe. And the mentality ‘that together we can be something bigger and better’ has always been there. For example, in the Grade 5 exhibition - we were put into groups based on our interests. That was the first instance that really made me believe in collaboration, and it’s benefits. UWC taught me that working with others really does make you a better person. You learn to trust, to find your happiness in others. You see them grow, little green seedlings sprouting leaves.
Has there ever been a time when you’ve truly been happy? Perhaps you think there has been, but you can’t remember it? I’ve felt like that for as long as I can remember. In my childhood, happiness was a toy or a sweet - always an object; something out of my reach. And I’ve never understood why; until now. Objects can’t fail you - they can’t hurt you. Sure, they can poke you or draw blood, but they can’t really touch the things that matter most. Your emotions. They exude apathy, and I think I found that comforting. They couldn’t touch me.
In third grade, I moved to UWCSEA East and learnt that happiness shouldn’t be a number on a paper. Nothing should define you except the limits you set for yourself. But it would be a while before I truly believed this.
Six years later. I’m now in grade 9. I’m in Bangkok to compete in the FOBISIA gymnastics meet with three of my best friends. The event is bars. The last one. I’m relieved because I thought I had gotten over the hard part — floor, the event I struggled at. But alas, you aren’t defined by what you can’t do; you’re defined by what you can do. And in training; I was a beast on the bars. The short-lived relief melted into hands wringing out my insides. Fortunately, my routine was alright.
One of us could lead, another could add a little lemon zest for the broth; while the third could be in charge of overseeing the recipe. And the mentality ‘that together we can be something bigger and better’ has always been there. For example, in the Grade 5 exhibition - we were put into groups based on our interests. That was the first instance that really made me believe in collaboration, and it’s benefits. UWC taught me that working with others really does make you a better person. You learn to trust, to find your happiness in others. You see them grow, little green seedlings sprouting leaves.
Has there ever been a time when you’ve truly been happy? Perhaps you think there has been, but you can’t remember it? I’ve felt like that for as long as I can remember. In my childhood, happiness was a toy or a sweet - always an object; something out of my reach. And I’ve never understood why; until now. Objects can’t fail you - they can’t hurt you. Sure, they can poke you or draw blood, but they can’t really touch the things that matter most. Your emotions. They exude apathy, and I think I found that comforting. They couldn’t touch me.
In third grade, I moved to UWCSEA East and learnt that happiness shouldn’t be a number on a paper. Nothing should define you except the limits you set for yourself. But it would be a while before I truly believed this.
Six years later. I’m now in grade 9. I’m in Bangkok to compete in the FOBISIA gymnastics meet with three of my best friends. The event is bars. The last one. I’m relieved because I thought I had gotten over the hard part — floor, the event I struggled at. But alas, you aren’t defined by what you can’t do; you’re defined by what you can do. And in training; I was a beast on the bars. The short-lived relief melted into hands wringing out my insides. Fortunately, my routine was alright.
Guest Writer |
But that’s not what I want to talk about. My teammate, who went up after me, was not a bar person. And she wasn’t able to perform an important part of the routine. She thrived on the floor. But my coaches, knowing this, still believed in her and sent her up to try her best to achieve the skill she didn’t yet have. And she did it. She did what we thought was nearly impossible. And I cannot remember a moment where I felt happier. I don’t think I had ever felt genuine happiness before that; before I screamed when I saw her fly up and onto the bar. Something had cracked open in me, creating a small fissure of light.
UWC taught me to put my happiness in people. UWC taught me to trust. UWC taught me how to be a good friend. Perhaps the most important thing I’ve ever learnt. That it’s not me. It’s never been just me. It’s us. |