Soukeyna Pitroipa, Grade 11
UWC Costa Rica
What is interesting in the dynamic of UWC is how we have this sense of traditions, pass downs, and regional families. This dynamic has been the foundation of relationships between first-years and second-years, and it will continue to be my favorite memories of my UWC experience. Therefore, if someone were to ask me what is my favorite tradition at UWC Costa Rica, I would list a panel of those I have experienced with my second years. However, to keep the surprise for the upcoming firsties, I will only address a tradition that has been a complete change for me: Open mic.
The 1st of September will always be one of the most special dates in my UWC journey. It was the day when everything started, the day I arrived at the Pura Vida (Pure Life) land after 21 hours up in the clouds. I was picked up at the airport by one of my second-year from Ethiopia and another one from Liberia. During the trip from the airport to the school, I was asking so many questions, and we were discussing our respective countries. However, I could not hide my excitement about this new campus, and as we got closer to UWC Costa Rica’s property, my excitement grew exponentially. I had discovered my new home.
After unpacking and reading the nice notes from my regional families, I did not have much time to rest. People were coming to my room to say welcome or introduce themselves, but while chatting, an event happening that night kept coming up in the discussion. I had no clue what they were talking about, and I felt too tired to go to a night gathering at the social center, which I didn’t know much about. Maybe it was because my ears needed to accommodate the new language or just the long hours flying up in the sky, but It was an overflow of information and news for me. However, my roommate from China, and her friend explained to me what this night gathering was about. It was an Open Mic organized by the students on campus. It is a school tradition where individuals had the opportunity to show their talent in any artistic way. I didn’t prepare any kind of performance, and I was not ready for an improvisation either, so I just followed them on this long walk to the unknown territory of the social center.
When I entered the mysterious building, I first thought that there was a power cut in the area. All the lights were off, and you could only see the weak luminosity of the fairy lights, which were placed in a circle in order to shape a kind of scene for performers. Even though I could not see much through the darkness, I could feel the presence of my co-years and second years around me. Some were sitting on blankets on the floor, and others were comfortably sitting, like me, in a chair patiently waiting for the show to start. After waiting a few minutes for people to switch on the light, I started to realize that the light was turned off on purpose to give a certain mysterious and secret vibe to the room. Then, it started. I could only see two girls’ silhouettes holding an instrument walking toward the fairy lights circle. They sang a song together, which I don’t remember the name of, and they were encouraged by the public. You could hear the screams and phrases as ‘’Woohoo! You can do it!’’, it was like I was in a stadium during a football match, where I could not see much, and the players were holding musical instruments instead of a ball. Opposed to a football match, this Open Mic was not about competing among ourselves; it was about sharing voices and expressing our talents. After hearing song after song, I watched some of my second years executing a choreography to the music. I share this passion for dancing with them, and I loved seeing them expressing the same energy and passion through the music beat. The overflow of information I have been feeling disappeared, and I started feeling in a bubble of darkness where the UWC Costa Rica’ students’ talents were the light that guided the public in the mysterious building.
I love the open mics events at UWC Costa Rica because it was the first school tradition I was exposed to, this gave me a good and warm taste of the UWC experience. Also, it was a different experience from my last school back home, there was no judgment and no mean laughter about the talents skills of the performers, it was about supporting our peers for being brave and performing in front of a large audience. I said earlier that my excitement grew exponentially, but after experiencing these good and supporting vibes, I was more settled, I felt that UWC Costa Rica was my place to be. I was comfortable and hopeful for the future with these brand new people and cultures.
Then, I left the social center to go back to my room for some well-deserved sleep, thinking that, maybe one day, I would have the courage to perform at an Open Mic, but for now, let’s appreciate the comfort of this brand new chapter of my life.
The 1st of September will always be one of the most special dates in my UWC journey. It was the day when everything started, the day I arrived at the Pura Vida (Pure Life) land after 21 hours up in the clouds. I was picked up at the airport by one of my second-year from Ethiopia and another one from Liberia. During the trip from the airport to the school, I was asking so many questions, and we were discussing our respective countries. However, I could not hide my excitement about this new campus, and as we got closer to UWC Costa Rica’s property, my excitement grew exponentially. I had discovered my new home.
After unpacking and reading the nice notes from my regional families, I did not have much time to rest. People were coming to my room to say welcome or introduce themselves, but while chatting, an event happening that night kept coming up in the discussion. I had no clue what they were talking about, and I felt too tired to go to a night gathering at the social center, which I didn’t know much about. Maybe it was because my ears needed to accommodate the new language or just the long hours flying up in the sky, but It was an overflow of information and news for me. However, my roommate from China, and her friend explained to me what this night gathering was about. It was an Open Mic organized by the students on campus. It is a school tradition where individuals had the opportunity to show their talent in any artistic way. I didn’t prepare any kind of performance, and I was not ready for an improvisation either, so I just followed them on this long walk to the unknown territory of the social center.
When I entered the mysterious building, I first thought that there was a power cut in the area. All the lights were off, and you could only see the weak luminosity of the fairy lights, which were placed in a circle in order to shape a kind of scene for performers. Even though I could not see much through the darkness, I could feel the presence of my co-years and second years around me. Some were sitting on blankets on the floor, and others were comfortably sitting, like me, in a chair patiently waiting for the show to start. After waiting a few minutes for people to switch on the light, I started to realize that the light was turned off on purpose to give a certain mysterious and secret vibe to the room. Then, it started. I could only see two girls’ silhouettes holding an instrument walking toward the fairy lights circle. They sang a song together, which I don’t remember the name of, and they were encouraged by the public. You could hear the screams and phrases as ‘’Woohoo! You can do it!’’, it was like I was in a stadium during a football match, where I could not see much, and the players were holding musical instruments instead of a ball. Opposed to a football match, this Open Mic was not about competing among ourselves; it was about sharing voices and expressing our talents. After hearing song after song, I watched some of my second years executing a choreography to the music. I share this passion for dancing with them, and I loved seeing them expressing the same energy and passion through the music beat. The overflow of information I have been feeling disappeared, and I started feeling in a bubble of darkness where the UWC Costa Rica’ students’ talents were the light that guided the public in the mysterious building.
I love the open mics events at UWC Costa Rica because it was the first school tradition I was exposed to, this gave me a good and warm taste of the UWC experience. Also, it was a different experience from my last school back home, there was no judgment and no mean laughter about the talents skills of the performers, it was about supporting our peers for being brave and performing in front of a large audience. I said earlier that my excitement grew exponentially, but after experiencing these good and supporting vibes, I was more settled, I felt that UWC Costa Rica was my place to be. I was comfortable and hopeful for the future with these brand new people and cultures.
Then, I left the social center to go back to my room for some well-deserved sleep, thinking that, maybe one day, I would have the courage to perform at an Open Mic, but for now, let’s appreciate the comfort of this brand new chapter of my life.
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