Lilia Bellahcen, Grade 12
UWC Costa Rica
If UWCCR is my current home away from Morocco, second years play the role of my older siblings: they are more experienced, understanding, and relatable. We trust them and respect them for the efforts they put into making us avoid their mistakes and learn from their struggle. They are also the reflections of what our future experience will look like. Amongst the most caring ones I have been lucky to meet:
Gaby and Amandus, who randomly knock at my door, French and Swiss cheese in hand, sit on the floor with me and my two co-years to tell me all about their best and worst moments as “firsties”.
Tahmid, who spends twenty minutes explaining to me a math exercise that I couldn’t figure out myself.
Tamar, who always makes me feel like I matter and puts a smile on my face no matter the circumstances.
Sofia, who makes me laugh until your stomach hurts and with whom we always joke about our countries in constant conflict.
Cami, with whom I had the most interesting conversations about our lives before UWC.
Fee, who makes me want to be the best version because of how great she is.
Lucien, who talks to me like an older brother and wants what is best for me.
Lucca, who showed me how nice it is to have a roommate and to whom I would tell about my entire day before going to bed.
And a lot more of them…
A second year is someone that sees you grow throughout the year the same way they did.
A second year is someone you can go to when you feel overwhelmed and you don't know how to find the right balance. They don’t always know what they are doing either, but they understand what you are going through because they have been through it too.
The IB is challenging, but a strong support system like the one our second years built eases it for us. They transmitted to me the sense of community and the love of sharing. They helped me work on my resilience and come back stronger. They advised and supported me when I needed it. They told me that everything would be fine, because everything, indeed, turned out just fine. Some have been there since I first stepped on that campus. And after a while those who at first were only my second years became my friends and people I will remember my entire life.
Image Courtesy: UWC Costa Rica's Facebook
Gaby and Amandus, who randomly knock at my door, French and Swiss cheese in hand, sit on the floor with me and my two co-years to tell me all about their best and worst moments as “firsties”.
Tahmid, who spends twenty minutes explaining to me a math exercise that I couldn’t figure out myself.
Tamar, who always makes me feel like I matter and puts a smile on my face no matter the circumstances.
Sofia, who makes me laugh until your stomach hurts and with whom we always joke about our countries in constant conflict.
Cami, with whom I had the most interesting conversations about our lives before UWC.
Fee, who makes me want to be the best version because of how great she is.
Lucien, who talks to me like an older brother and wants what is best for me.
Lucca, who showed me how nice it is to have a roommate and to whom I would tell about my entire day before going to bed.
And a lot more of them…
A second year is someone that sees you grow throughout the year the same way they did.
A second year is someone you can go to when you feel overwhelmed and you don't know how to find the right balance. They don’t always know what they are doing either, but they understand what you are going through because they have been through it too.
The IB is challenging, but a strong support system like the one our second years built eases it for us. They transmitted to me the sense of community and the love of sharing. They helped me work on my resilience and come back stronger. They advised and supported me when I needed it. They told me that everything would be fine, because everything, indeed, turned out just fine. Some have been there since I first stepped on that campus. And after a while those who at first were only my second years became my friends and people I will remember my entire life.
Image Courtesy: UWC Costa Rica's Facebook
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