Alex Thompson, Grade 12
UWC Mostar
What is Change?
For me, it was to go from one extreme to another and to question every single ounce of what I thought was true. My foundations shattered before I had a chance to process that there was a gentle tremor. Even my familiarity and sense of what change was, in fact, altered. The only constant change is something that follows you through the UWC experience.
On Uncomfortability
In my first term at UWC Mostar, the Economics teacher, a former student of the school, humbled every single body present at a Global Awareness session in my first term in regards to privilege, empathy, and the importance of listening with an open mind. The uncomfortably created a necessary stun and silence. This was not a new experience for me; this feeling of wanting to be challenged motivated me to be a part of the UWC community. There was a reminder of qualities that reflect UWC values: listening, accepting, believing, and having compassion. Yet, there was something so disturbing, rather than just uncomfortable, about the vindication with which she spoke. The bullets fired were not my own, nor aimed at me, and yet I felt it tear at my flesh as though they were. Realizing that I had been overcompensating for some issues, I had become complacent in some other aspects.
Uncomfortability led me to learn how to be honest with others despite the fear of backlash, and honest with myself about things I didn’t even want to consider. I was challenged to my very core and stripped- mainly by myself- of every bit of armor. I was built and built myself up and torn down. The shame, the fear, the anxiety, and thoughts that always seemed to sting, cling, or just come back around will remain unless they are dealt with.
It is okay, and arguably beneficial, to be alone. Yet, isolation can drive you to the brink of giving up. Induction week brought me to the edge and back. I have never been more out of my depth and consumed by overwhelm and fear. In my second, and now third, term, I am reliving the same process, though to a much lesser extent. Every day brings not only a new lesson but a chance to implement the ones you previously learned. Term 2 recalled the lessons of Term 1 through parables of new experiences. Looking through new problems, with different solutions, but the same emotions, feelings, doubts, and sometimes excitement, while feeling the deepest of each.
Uncomfortability mounts slowly, chipping away at previous habits, thoughts, behaviors, and ways of life. Being thrown in the deep end wasn’t the most pleasant way to learn how to navigate life’s waters, but it was effective. Whilst I would say that it would not be the greatest learning method, this hands-on approach is what helped me learn why learning is essential.
I spent months trying to mold myself into another person. I found a new cause of my wish to escape my skin and become another, but you cannot outrun what holds you together. I learned that flesh cannot melt with the will or passive action: the idea that sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself is complicated. I went through a crisis of identity that is ongoing, despite some steps forward. Even with such diversity, acceptance, and a body of unique beings, I felt pressure to change the quirks of my individuality; part of the reason I was chosen. I felt the need to continually prove my place, despite already being in the school, beating the odds of acceptance in order to attend.
I learned that it is okay to mourn the parts of you that you no longer identify with. There is no ‘right’ fit within the community, and there will be many who will accept you even when you cannot accept yourself. I found myself more able to trust, which was something that deeply allowed me to grow within myself.
Bravery and Humility
You have to ask for help, and you may not get the right sort of help the first time or even the tenth. I have learned that in order to achieve, you have to push, but also know when to retire and move on. I have learned how to say no, or that I just don’t know the answer, be it in class, in the outside discussion, or in general. Accountability cannot be forced, and within certain instances occurring in our UWC community and school this year specifically, this was something that became quite clear. Apologies can go a long way, but active action must work in collaboration.
As an introvert and anxious person, the adaptation to the somewhat largely extroverted culture was quite a process. I made myself feel unwelcome and was terrified to attend events that the desiring part of me- even if larger than my fear- forced me to withdraw and miss out. The strength and kindness of the community by reaching out and extending a hand of friendship have taught me how to take up space. Simply put, showing up is more than half of the battle. I learned that I was more wanted and missed than I thought, even if it was not shown.
Growth and Change
Persist.
Growth happens most when you least expect it and when you are least prepared. It stretches you across boundaries you didn’t know you had, nor- paradoxically- thought you could exceed.
Learn from your mistakes.
While making room for so many others, absolutely ensure that you leave room for yourself. Committing to self-care in the most hectic and turbulent times has been essential to survive such. The hangover from change and constant improvement often result in exhaustion and the potential for plentiful self-doubt. We must not give up.
Living in the Moment
I remember that each moment is precious. No moment repeats itself, regardless of how much you wish it. Grasp each opportunity with the will that drove you to apply, to leave home and forge your own path, and with that grasp, cling to whims of opportunity and joy as though they are the single most important instigators of change. No day is the same, and you have the power to write it as you wish. Through the times I begged my family to take me home, and the times I cried so hard I threw up, I learned how to embrace each moment.
Strength is born in unity and strengthened in solidarity. Community is everything, and I thank each member of the UWC Mostar community, my second years, my current first years, and the global UWC Community for every lesson you taught me.
For me, it was to go from one extreme to another and to question every single ounce of what I thought was true. My foundations shattered before I had a chance to process that there was a gentle tremor. Even my familiarity and sense of what change was, in fact, altered. The only constant change is something that follows you through the UWC experience.
On Uncomfortability
In my first term at UWC Mostar, the Economics teacher, a former student of the school, humbled every single body present at a Global Awareness session in my first term in regards to privilege, empathy, and the importance of listening with an open mind. The uncomfortably created a necessary stun and silence. This was not a new experience for me; this feeling of wanting to be challenged motivated me to be a part of the UWC community. There was a reminder of qualities that reflect UWC values: listening, accepting, believing, and having compassion. Yet, there was something so disturbing, rather than just uncomfortable, about the vindication with which she spoke. The bullets fired were not my own, nor aimed at me, and yet I felt it tear at my flesh as though they were. Realizing that I had been overcompensating for some issues, I had become complacent in some other aspects.
Uncomfortability led me to learn how to be honest with others despite the fear of backlash, and honest with myself about things I didn’t even want to consider. I was challenged to my very core and stripped- mainly by myself- of every bit of armor. I was built and built myself up and torn down. The shame, the fear, the anxiety, and thoughts that always seemed to sting, cling, or just come back around will remain unless they are dealt with.
It is okay, and arguably beneficial, to be alone. Yet, isolation can drive you to the brink of giving up. Induction week brought me to the edge and back. I have never been more out of my depth and consumed by overwhelm and fear. In my second, and now third, term, I am reliving the same process, though to a much lesser extent. Every day brings not only a new lesson but a chance to implement the ones you previously learned. Term 2 recalled the lessons of Term 1 through parables of new experiences. Looking through new problems, with different solutions, but the same emotions, feelings, doubts, and sometimes excitement, while feeling the deepest of each.
Uncomfortability mounts slowly, chipping away at previous habits, thoughts, behaviors, and ways of life. Being thrown in the deep end wasn’t the most pleasant way to learn how to navigate life’s waters, but it was effective. Whilst I would say that it would not be the greatest learning method, this hands-on approach is what helped me learn why learning is essential.
I spent months trying to mold myself into another person. I found a new cause of my wish to escape my skin and become another, but you cannot outrun what holds you together. I learned that flesh cannot melt with the will or passive action: the idea that sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself is complicated. I went through a crisis of identity that is ongoing, despite some steps forward. Even with such diversity, acceptance, and a body of unique beings, I felt pressure to change the quirks of my individuality; part of the reason I was chosen. I felt the need to continually prove my place, despite already being in the school, beating the odds of acceptance in order to attend.
I learned that it is okay to mourn the parts of you that you no longer identify with. There is no ‘right’ fit within the community, and there will be many who will accept you even when you cannot accept yourself. I found myself more able to trust, which was something that deeply allowed me to grow within myself.
Bravery and Humility
You have to ask for help, and you may not get the right sort of help the first time or even the tenth. I have learned that in order to achieve, you have to push, but also know when to retire and move on. I have learned how to say no, or that I just don’t know the answer, be it in class, in the outside discussion, or in general. Accountability cannot be forced, and within certain instances occurring in our UWC community and school this year specifically, this was something that became quite clear. Apologies can go a long way, but active action must work in collaboration.
As an introvert and anxious person, the adaptation to the somewhat largely extroverted culture was quite a process. I made myself feel unwelcome and was terrified to attend events that the desiring part of me- even if larger than my fear- forced me to withdraw and miss out. The strength and kindness of the community by reaching out and extending a hand of friendship have taught me how to take up space. Simply put, showing up is more than half of the battle. I learned that I was more wanted and missed than I thought, even if it was not shown.
Growth and Change
Persist.
Growth happens most when you least expect it and when you are least prepared. It stretches you across boundaries you didn’t know you had, nor- paradoxically- thought you could exceed.
Learn from your mistakes.
While making room for so many others, absolutely ensure that you leave room for yourself. Committing to self-care in the most hectic and turbulent times has been essential to survive such. The hangover from change and constant improvement often result in exhaustion and the potential for plentiful self-doubt. We must not give up.
Living in the Moment
I remember that each moment is precious. No moment repeats itself, regardless of how much you wish it. Grasp each opportunity with the will that drove you to apply, to leave home and forge your own path, and with that grasp, cling to whims of opportunity and joy as though they are the single most important instigators of change. No day is the same, and you have the power to write it as you wish. Through the times I begged my family to take me home, and the times I cried so hard I threw up, I learned how to embrace each moment.
Strength is born in unity and strengthened in solidarity. Community is everything, and I thank each member of the UWC Mostar community, my second years, my current first years, and the global UWC Community for every lesson you taught me.
www.unitedworldwide.co