Michelle Massaga, Grade 11
UWCEA (Arusha)
Michelle is 16 years old when she gets accepted to UWC, and she doesn’t know how to feel. She’s aware of what is expected from her; the uncontainable excitement meant to send her flying into the air. She’s aware of the tears that ought to fall from her eyes, a physical representation of her happiness, a display of emotions that can only be described as overwhelming joy. There is a part of her that feels all these things; the surreality of the entirety of the situation as the truth in the matter, that she truly is one in a million, slowly sinks in.
She feels like she’s watching a movie when her family congratulates her; embraces her, buries her in praises, reiterating the confidence they’ve always had in her. She doesn’t know why, but her mind fails to properly grasp onto the compliments showered onto her. Perhaps she wonders whether it is a defense mechanism that she’s learned to master in order to reduce the chances of her facing disappointment. Michelle’s not sure. Although she is conscious of the pessimistic nature of her thoughts, she had always told herself; to hope was to get hurt. Michelle didn’t like getting vulnerable.
She was shocked; merely skin stretched over bones, her actions robotic as her mind and body felt seemingly disconnected, denial clear in her thoughts. She’s silent when the information finally starts to sink in. Her eyes wander to her mother as she suddenly feels an uncontrollable wave of sadness that only seemed to grow. Her breathing turns slow, as her eyes develop an apparent blur. Before she knows it, Michelle feels warm arms envelop her in a pleasant embrace. She wants to laugh at her childishness, but when she tries, an uncontrollable cry escapes her lips.
Michelle feels conflicted, on one hand, she is overjoyed; unexplainable euphoria, seeing as for the first time in her life she truly feels as though there is a chance for the sky to truly become the limit. Nevertheless, in order to do so, she needs to spread her wings and leave everything behind. Michelle wasn’t sure she was ready for that. This was simply the beginning of a chapter that she didn’t think she was ready to start reading, her heart was still set on the one she was on. However, Michelle knew that she had to take the risk.
Never had she expected for UWCEA Arusha Campus to become her home away from home. An environment brimming with diversity; almost the whole world within the grasps of her fingertips. She was welcomed into a new environment; with ever so present teachers whose main jobs were to cater to the needs of the student as required per the IB system. The structure of the IB system managed to open her eyes to ongoing global issues that encouraged the movement towards change, extracting the will to furthermore inspire the desire for a more sustainable planet.
Michelle had never anticipated the relationship and bonds she was bound to make; an ever so present support system for when the struggles of the IB and the undertones of homesickness become too much to handle. All in all, Michelle has no regrets, as she is merely grateful seeing as she is aware of the marvelous opportunity she was lucky enough to get. Therefore, this has left her with the duty to be the best person that she can be; setting an example not only for those who are to come, but to act as an inspiration for those she left behind.
She feels like she’s watching a movie when her family congratulates her; embraces her, buries her in praises, reiterating the confidence they’ve always had in her. She doesn’t know why, but her mind fails to properly grasp onto the compliments showered onto her. Perhaps she wonders whether it is a defense mechanism that she’s learned to master in order to reduce the chances of her facing disappointment. Michelle’s not sure. Although she is conscious of the pessimistic nature of her thoughts, she had always told herself; to hope was to get hurt. Michelle didn’t like getting vulnerable.
She was shocked; merely skin stretched over bones, her actions robotic as her mind and body felt seemingly disconnected, denial clear in her thoughts. She’s silent when the information finally starts to sink in. Her eyes wander to her mother as she suddenly feels an uncontrollable wave of sadness that only seemed to grow. Her breathing turns slow, as her eyes develop an apparent blur. Before she knows it, Michelle feels warm arms envelop her in a pleasant embrace. She wants to laugh at her childishness, but when she tries, an uncontrollable cry escapes her lips.
Michelle feels conflicted, on one hand, she is overjoyed; unexplainable euphoria, seeing as for the first time in her life she truly feels as though there is a chance for the sky to truly become the limit. Nevertheless, in order to do so, she needs to spread her wings and leave everything behind. Michelle wasn’t sure she was ready for that. This was simply the beginning of a chapter that she didn’t think she was ready to start reading, her heart was still set on the one she was on. However, Michelle knew that she had to take the risk.
Never had she expected for UWCEA Arusha Campus to become her home away from home. An environment brimming with diversity; almost the whole world within the grasps of her fingertips. She was welcomed into a new environment; with ever so present teachers whose main jobs were to cater to the needs of the student as required per the IB system. The structure of the IB system managed to open her eyes to ongoing global issues that encouraged the movement towards change, extracting the will to furthermore inspire the desire for a more sustainable planet.
Michelle had never anticipated the relationship and bonds she was bound to make; an ever so present support system for when the struggles of the IB and the undertones of homesickness become too much to handle. All in all, Michelle has no regrets, as she is merely grateful seeing as she is aware of the marvelous opportunity she was lucky enough to get. Therefore, this has left her with the duty to be the best person that she can be; setting an example not only for those who are to come, but to act as an inspiration for those she left behind.
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