Hana Sato, Grade 12
UWC Costa Rica
UWC is a very unique place because of its closeness within community members, not only among students but also with educators and school staff. Nevertheless, as many benefits, it also brings counter aspects such as an immense lack of privacy. All UWC students would agree with me when saying that scarcity of personal space is one of the biggest challenges within the two years journey. I was lucky enough to find a place for myself on campus, a place in which I feel comfortable. We call it "La Oficina", in English, "The Office".
During my second semester I was having a hard time finding places to study, since the library, where I used to spend a big part of my day, got too loaded with people. My second year from Guatemala found me and, as supportive as are all my second years, she offered me to study with her. Surprisingly, she took me to one of the administration area little offices. Taking out the keys from her pocket, she told me that she had gotten permission from teachers to use it. It was a very small office, there were only three desks and a big UWC Costa Rica alumni painting (an extremely weird taste painting, a person with a bird head). Though small, I was captivated with that office, quiet and close spaced that allowed more concentration (I thought). What I did not know was that this small office will bring me many new encounters and memories other than studying.
La Oficina is definitely one of the most unsuitable places to study, mainly because of the people there; it is impossible to stop laughing and joking there. La Oficina members other than me are: an IBDP1 student from Panama, IBDP2 student from Guatemala and the English Support teacher using the office during school time. These people make La Oficina amazing. The unstoppable amount of IB jokes and ice cream ordered with Uber Eats at 10pm made my second semester unbelievably enjoyable.
My Guatemalan second year is one of the most caring people I have ever met. I had so many late night counseling sessions with her to comment about the hard moments in UWC and IB. When I was tired she always used to ask me if I am okay, then she would hug me for a long while; those were the warmest hugs I could ever have. My Panamanian friend was the most unexpected friendship I made during my entire first year. I started talking to him because he also spent time at the office initially invited by my Guatemalan second year. He turned out to become my closest friend who I can rely on the most. His jokes always make me laugh breathlessly, encouraging me to overcome difficulties.
The people in the office are undoubtedly the best part of it. However I still need to mention the intimate, safe feelings that the office’s narrowness provides me. Because it is located in a space far from the residences area, after dinner time there are not many people around. I like wearing earphones and listening to music in the dark office at night inside the steady silence. It gives me time to reflect about my UWC experiences and struggles. There is no other place on campus that I can be totally with myself and my thoughts.
I like the office. Small, quiet and placid. It is the place where I can freely talk with my friends, but also where I am allowed to spend time alone. After the summer break, probably the first thing I will do on campus is to hop into the office and say hi once again to my safe place.
During my second semester I was having a hard time finding places to study, since the library, where I used to spend a big part of my day, got too loaded with people. My second year from Guatemala found me and, as supportive as are all my second years, she offered me to study with her. Surprisingly, she took me to one of the administration area little offices. Taking out the keys from her pocket, she told me that she had gotten permission from teachers to use it. It was a very small office, there were only three desks and a big UWC Costa Rica alumni painting (an extremely weird taste painting, a person with a bird head). Though small, I was captivated with that office, quiet and close spaced that allowed more concentration (I thought). What I did not know was that this small office will bring me many new encounters and memories other than studying.
La Oficina is definitely one of the most unsuitable places to study, mainly because of the people there; it is impossible to stop laughing and joking there. La Oficina members other than me are: an IBDP1 student from Panama, IBDP2 student from Guatemala and the English Support teacher using the office during school time. These people make La Oficina amazing. The unstoppable amount of IB jokes and ice cream ordered with Uber Eats at 10pm made my second semester unbelievably enjoyable.
My Guatemalan second year is one of the most caring people I have ever met. I had so many late night counseling sessions with her to comment about the hard moments in UWC and IB. When I was tired she always used to ask me if I am okay, then she would hug me for a long while; those were the warmest hugs I could ever have. My Panamanian friend was the most unexpected friendship I made during my entire first year. I started talking to him because he also spent time at the office initially invited by my Guatemalan second year. He turned out to become my closest friend who I can rely on the most. His jokes always make me laugh breathlessly, encouraging me to overcome difficulties.
The people in the office are undoubtedly the best part of it. However I still need to mention the intimate, safe feelings that the office’s narrowness provides me. Because it is located in a space far from the residences area, after dinner time there are not many people around. I like wearing earphones and listening to music in the dark office at night inside the steady silence. It gives me time to reflect about my UWC experiences and struggles. There is no other place on campus that I can be totally with myself and my thoughts.
I like the office. Small, quiet and placid. It is the place where I can freely talk with my friends, but also where I am allowed to spend time alone. After the summer break, probably the first thing I will do on campus is to hop into the office and say hi once again to my safe place.
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