Irma Widyawati, Grade 12
UWC Dilijan
When I thought of moments in UWC, I really could not think of anything else but all the time that me and my close friends spent together. There really is nothing more significant than finding myself my loyal, adoring, and cute friends. My first encounter with them, the way they approached me and showed me kindness, also the way they taught me how to love and be loved, wholeheartedly without exceptions. It is so interesting to say that we, who were once strangers, are now like a big family.
I experienced the UWC journey two months later than how UWCers usually do, overwhelmed me with fear, anxiety, and questions which started with ‘what if?’ What if I could not make any friends? What if I could not catch up with my studies? What if I fail? Endless ‘what if’ haunted me, the way there are so many possibilities of bad ending happening. But then, meeting my friends changed everything. They made me realize that bad ending is not always the case and bad is not actually bad as it is. There are some blessings in disguise over the things that I, we usually think are bad. Just as how not being able to go to UWCSEA because of covid restrictions actually transferred me to UWCD actually made me realize how I truly love nature and am so very grateful for meeting my current Dilijan friends. Making friends from two sides, means wider connections which is very beneficial for me.
Despite of living in such an inclusive country by law and its nature, descrimination is still cannot be avoided regardless. Living my whole life and never once has it been missed, to be bullied over my religion, skin color, body shape, and body hair. I have grown to be such a thick skin girl, though there's no denying it hurts sometimes and made me lose my confidence at times. That is how I grew to live with so many insecurities. Being in UWC and meeting my friends opened my heart in a way I could finally feel this sense of trust, security, and comfort. They helped me stay strong when all I wanted to do is just to give up. They cheered me up when I felt like I was not good enough. They proved me wrong when I thought that there is no love that is free.
To me, UWC is not just a force to unite the nation. Before everything, UWC is the force and urge within ourselves to finally learn and accept what the body wants, what the heart says, and where our soul belong. It is the stage of courageous steps to give and take, to know your worth and others. UWC is more than an opportunity, it is the goodwill of the universe answering the calls of desperate souls to be free.
I experienced the UWC journey two months later than how UWCers usually do, overwhelmed me with fear, anxiety, and questions which started with ‘what if?’ What if I could not make any friends? What if I could not catch up with my studies? What if I fail? Endless ‘what if’ haunted me, the way there are so many possibilities of bad ending happening. But then, meeting my friends changed everything. They made me realize that bad ending is not always the case and bad is not actually bad as it is. There are some blessings in disguise over the things that I, we usually think are bad. Just as how not being able to go to UWCSEA because of covid restrictions actually transferred me to UWCD actually made me realize how I truly love nature and am so very grateful for meeting my current Dilijan friends. Making friends from two sides, means wider connections which is very beneficial for me.
Despite of living in such an inclusive country by law and its nature, descrimination is still cannot be avoided regardless. Living my whole life and never once has it been missed, to be bullied over my religion, skin color, body shape, and body hair. I have grown to be such a thick skin girl, though there's no denying it hurts sometimes and made me lose my confidence at times. That is how I grew to live with so many insecurities. Being in UWC and meeting my friends opened my heart in a way I could finally feel this sense of trust, security, and comfort. They helped me stay strong when all I wanted to do is just to give up. They cheered me up when I felt like I was not good enough. They proved me wrong when I thought that there is no love that is free.
To me, UWC is not just a force to unite the nation. Before everything, UWC is the force and urge within ourselves to finally learn and accept what the body wants, what the heart says, and where our soul belong. It is the stage of courageous steps to give and take, to know your worth and others. UWC is more than an opportunity, it is the goodwill of the universe answering the calls of desperate souls to be free.
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