Leslie Boc, Grade 11
UWC Costa Rica
When I learned about the Black Swan Theory in my readings, I was convinced that no statement was as beautiful as this one. The idea is very simple: for the most part of the 1600s, it was a universal truth that all swans were white. However, in 1697, Willem de Vlamingh found a colony of black swans in Australia, proving the “truth” actually wrong. The black swan is used today as a metaphor to define an unpredictable and improbable event that has a major effect on the world. I like it a lot because I believe that black swans could have a more personal meaning. I believe that they are not limited to events but to people, and they do not have to change the world if they can change yours.
This comes to mind because I actually have the privilege of having some in my life. What makes a black swan special is that you never know when or how they will appear. I, for example, met mine the first day of school, and the very first words that she told me were, “You are clearly not in my class”.
My English teacher was a kind, fine, and cheerful woman who came to teach Guatemala to the tenth graders at my school. By some sort of mistake, I was assigned to her class. Because it was the first time I was taking English Literature instead of English as Second Language, I was rather nervous, and her words did not help me at all. I remember standing up at her door, trying to figure out whether she was mean or if she actually did not know I was one of her students. After having looked for my name on her list, she, although not very convinced, welcomed me. She started to make jokes and introducing the course, talking about essays and reading books that seemed very hard for a person that was just starting at literature. The hour passed quite slow for me, especially because I did not know if I should laugh at her jokes, answer her questions (were they rhetorical?), or even stay there. By the end of the day, I was already considering to ask my transfer to my old class. Of course, no necessity to say I did not.
After all, I ended up sharing with her eight months in her classroom and two more in the small screen of virtual meetings. Her unique approach to the course made everything easier for me, while still challenging, to succeed in her class. But I learned more than just about English with her.
Although her first words confused me, her following ones encouraged me. She motivated me when I thought myself defeated, supported me when I have just myself to rely on, and ultimately never questioned my approach to life. Ms. Nelson is one of the reasons for which I could look ahead and not be afraid of what comes next, for which I can walk without having to step back. I learned about empathy and braveness. I learned to believe in myself and try new things. I learned to understand how this chaotic world works, and how there’s no one to blame. Because of her, I was sure enough to submit my application to UWC, and later in the year, to accept the offer and come.
It has been a bit more than a year since I met her, and I just can say I’m eternally grateful for every class I had the opportunity to attend with her, for every conversation we had, and every piece of advice she gave to me. I keep it all in my heart and mind.
I could not say in the lines all the things for which I’m grateful to Ms. Nelson, nor tell every detail as those are mine and I can not do otherwise. However, and for the record: before knowing Ms. Nelson, I used to imagine black swans everywhere: I liked to think of them as a way to give a bit of sense and romanticism to this world. Now I know. Black swans are more unpredictable, unique, and unattainable consequential.
This comes to mind because I actually have the privilege of having some in my life. What makes a black swan special is that you never know when or how they will appear. I, for example, met mine the first day of school, and the very first words that she told me were, “You are clearly not in my class”.
My English teacher was a kind, fine, and cheerful woman who came to teach Guatemala to the tenth graders at my school. By some sort of mistake, I was assigned to her class. Because it was the first time I was taking English Literature instead of English as Second Language, I was rather nervous, and her words did not help me at all. I remember standing up at her door, trying to figure out whether she was mean or if she actually did not know I was one of her students. After having looked for my name on her list, she, although not very convinced, welcomed me. She started to make jokes and introducing the course, talking about essays and reading books that seemed very hard for a person that was just starting at literature. The hour passed quite slow for me, especially because I did not know if I should laugh at her jokes, answer her questions (were they rhetorical?), or even stay there. By the end of the day, I was already considering to ask my transfer to my old class. Of course, no necessity to say I did not.
After all, I ended up sharing with her eight months in her classroom and two more in the small screen of virtual meetings. Her unique approach to the course made everything easier for me, while still challenging, to succeed in her class. But I learned more than just about English with her.
Although her first words confused me, her following ones encouraged me. She motivated me when I thought myself defeated, supported me when I have just myself to rely on, and ultimately never questioned my approach to life. Ms. Nelson is one of the reasons for which I could look ahead and not be afraid of what comes next, for which I can walk without having to step back. I learned about empathy and braveness. I learned to believe in myself and try new things. I learned to understand how this chaotic world works, and how there’s no one to blame. Because of her, I was sure enough to submit my application to UWC, and later in the year, to accept the offer and come.
It has been a bit more than a year since I met her, and I just can say I’m eternally grateful for every class I had the opportunity to attend with her, for every conversation we had, and every piece of advice she gave to me. I keep it all in my heart and mind.
I could not say in the lines all the things for which I’m grateful to Ms. Nelson, nor tell every detail as those are mine and I can not do otherwise. However, and for the record: before knowing Ms. Nelson, I used to imagine black swans everywhere: I liked to think of them as a way to give a bit of sense and romanticism to this world. Now I know. Black swans are more unpredictable, unique, and unattainable consequential.
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