If only for an instant

Rina Kuusipalo (Finland, AC 08-10)

 

Memories are imperfect, crafted from human clay,

Droplets, suspended in dawn-time, but evaporate.

Images flicker by,

In transient streams they sigh.

I pick up the dearest hours: watch them unfurl in the flames –

Hours, in which time stood still and the world spun,

Hours, in a cocoon of colours, where the ceiling crumbled and we worshipped the sun.

Ohana and the UWC experience

Michelle Asuncion (Philippines, AC 08-10)

 

As the camera shutter clicked, in a blink of an eye, I saw myself lying in the beast garden. My whole leg was in severe pain. I can still clearly visualize the ambulance, the stretchers, big needles and injections. The sound of the siren comes back to me. I was brought to the operating theatre; my greatest fear…I can still remember my cry of pain, in a split second I was knocked out by the morphine. I woke up in the ward on a beautiful Sunday morning after my operation. I was terrified as I saw my casted leg…

Gwent House and the integrated development program

Jonathan Hadad (Israel, AC 08-10)

                                                                                                                

Interview with Sarah Hamilton, house parent at Gwent house.

 

Can you define what Gwent house is?

 

Gwent house is the house in which IDP (integrated development program) students live. It’s funded by the government. We asked for a name for our house 4 years ago because we thought it would reduce the feeling of separation from the other houses on campus. The students get offered to some to Gwent house from their schools where they lived or by a governmental program that offers help to find jobs for young people for their future. Our calendar is basically the same as the rest of the college but the students have work for 4 weeks and then 4 weeks of studying. I don’t think they can get the same experience anywhere else in the UK because it’s a boarding school which means that they have a lot of time to interact with the rest of the students here. In their second year they do the program from home with more focus on a workplace which we help them find.

Tibet-Obama-China

Jonathan C.W. Kwok (Hong Kong, AC 09-11)

 

Since induction period, the voices regarding Tibetan issues or saying “You don’t regard Tibet as a country!?” at AC had been driven out despite some ongoing activities. Apparently, the international pressure heading China had also been declining at the same time recently.

In the Chinese Communist party, they tend to create many terminologies that do not actually make any sense. For example, Socialist with Chinese characteristics i.e. explaining all capitalist system with communist wordings; “Not forming any allies but co-operate tightly with other countries” i.e. the military drill of Shanghai Co-operation Association; Great development in varies aspect including human rights since the liberation under the principal of unity i.e. a national flag standing beside the cross in the biggest church of Beijing. But this time, “American President Barack Obama should be especially sympathetic to China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence, as a black president who lauded Abraham Lincoln for helping abolish slavery” can be regarded as one of the few sensible official argument.

El Camino and the “endless freedom” of a pilgrim

Miklos Marton Jalkoczi (Hungary, AC 09-11)

Santiago de Compostella is one of the three most important targets of pilgrimage along with Jerusalem and Rome. My father and I completed the Camino Frances to go there in a bit over a month in the summer of 2007. This was the best thing that has ever happened to me, apart from getting into Atlantic College . I suffered, but it was well worth it. Why? It is hard to answer this question. Simply because it is wonderful. It is El Camino.

A report

Merle Mueler-Knapp (Germany, AC08-10), Gala von Nettelbladt (Germany, AC 08-10)

 

Picking berries.
Tolerance.
Chemistry Practical at 3 a.m.
In the sea at midnight.

Ein Erfahrungsbericht

Merle Mueller-Knapp (Germany, AC 08-10), Gala von Nettelbladt (Germany, AC 08-10)

Beerensammeln.
Toleranz.
Chemielaborbericht um 3 Uhr morgens.
Im Meer um Mitternacht.

Remember, remember the ninth of November

Thilo Roth (Germany AC 08-10)

On the 9^th November 1989, the one of the leading members of the East German government announced on a press conference that the borders would be opened and the citizens of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) would be free to travel to West Germany. On the question when this new rule should be implemented the uniformed press speaker that to his knowledge the new rule was to be implemented immediately, a mistake that would lead to the breakdown of the world order since the end of the Second World War.

The Psychology of Solitude

William Holt (USA, AC 09-11)

It seems to me that introversion at Atlantic College (and thus introverts as well) are criminally undervalued.  Now, I make no contention with socializing or with keeping active in the company of others; in fact, I believe that these are essential components to  personal health and happiness.  Emotional growth through such interaction is one of the most profound things that one can take away from these two years and I strongly feel that I have already benefitted.  But what must be dispelled is the misconception that introversion in this environment–and in any environment for that matter–is something to be rejected.  Western cultures constantly misjudge the merits of solitude; to set oneself apart from the collective is to be seen as socially inept, as someone whose personality is maladjusted and unhealthy. Introversion is instead something to foster, something to celebrate.  To know oneself is to gain the most vital knowledge one can have.

SATS: You fill in the acronym

Alexandra Sánchez (Bay Area, California, AC 08-10)

 

If “all that is gold does not glitter,” than SAT scores should not amount to the categorization of an individual. In fact, any United States student will tell you the countless times she or he may have heard the famous comfort: intelligence also rests outside standardized testing, some people are just good test-takers, not doing well on a standardized test does not imply any stupidity. But in the rat race, in the path well-travelled on to be accepted into a “good” (which may not even be suitable for an individual) school, all this may be left by the wayside and the mad credit card pumping for Barron’s, The Princeton Review, The Official College Guide, Fiske, etc. guides becomes a sore yet acceptable action in our society. My upbringing may tell otherwise to my current stance. I will explain some of it in terms of how many Exam Prep books I bought. But I understand that an SAT score should not become a matter of pride, of ego, nor will it hopefully be the only worthwhile accomplishment others or I do in our lives.

Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize “what the world seeks for”

Diana Huynh (Norway/Vietnam AC 09-11) 

The beginning of October brought the announcement of the annual Nobel Prizes, and among them – perhaps considered the most significant of all – the Peace Prize. The prize has been rewarded for over a hundred years to men and women for their efforts working for peace and justice.

This year it could be debated whether to what extent the laureate has accomplished any of the latter. The decision made by the Norwegian Nobel Committee has without doubt stirred praise and skepticism throughout the global community. The Times wrote on October 10^th, “The committee had put hope above results, promise above achievement”, other questions what he has done to merit such a prize.

Nevertheless, what there is no doubt about is that Barack Obama has been able to capture the whole world’s attention for the past year. He has been a central figure on the international stage, and will continue to play an important role as a diplomat. With his characteristic eloquence he has continuously been giving hope to people and promoting change – and it has merely been eleven months since he was elected the President of the United States. President Obama announced in his acceptance of the prize that he was “surprised and humbled”, and will continue to “confront the common challenges of the 21^st century.”

It might have been with political intentions that the Nobel committee awarded the prize; to put pressure on the US for future endeavors. That would not, however, be the first time that a Nobel Peace laureate has been awarded for political settlements. Yasser Arafat, Henry Kissinger, Jimmy Carter, Teddy Roosevelt – all worked with solving conflicts between countries.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the President “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy, and cooperation between peoples”. Possibly, some would argue that using diplomacy to solve global problems is what we have the UN for. Nonetheless, his outreach to the Muslim world and attempt towards nuclear disarmament are two worthy and important causes encouraging world peace.

What the world will now expect is that the President will actually achieve something. It will be interesting to see how the weight of the prize will change what President Obama will do, and the expectations it sets. The prize might even have been a burden to Obama domestically, with two wars and an economic recession on his shoulders. Furthermore, it might have changed the ethos of which the prized is based upon. But then again, President Obama is a man with visions of profound change. This year he proves that the Nobel Peace prize can be awarded as a catalyst for more peace, rather than recognition for established peace. And that is perhaps what the world seeks for.  

- United World College Student Magazine -

Recollections of a Project in South America

Dylan Hitchcock- Lopez (USA, AC 08-10)

The first thing any Chilean will tell you upon arriving in their country is to watch out for Chileans. According to Chileans, Chileans are very dangerous. They will- they say -rob you blind and leave you to die in the gutter without a moments hesitation. Indeed, It might have even been as dangerous as they said, only every Chilean I met was so busy trying to look out for me that they hardly had time to do me bodily harm. The greatest heist I suffered in my entire five weeks in their fair country was the extra gringo surcharge of a hundred pesos (about ten pence) or so on the odd pack of roasted peanuts. I had never been warned so heftily about the dangers of a country, and yet I had never felt so safe in any metropolis as I did in the dirty, polluted streets and shantytowns of Santiago, swept along with the tide of its seven million inhabitants as I tried to do my little bit for humanity. How could I have anticipated how what paltry glimmers of idealism I may have dragged with me across the Atlantic paled in comparison with the veracity of that which they already possessed. Whatever I might have had to give the people of Chile when I stumbled onto their soil after 48 hours, three continents, and an ocean’s worth of travel, it was nothing next to what I took back with me on the return trip.

No “further dawdling” on US health care

William Holt (USA, AC 08-10)

 

Almost everyone is in agreement that something is ailing the American health care system, but no one seems quite sure what to do about it.  On one side of the debate, the left calls for the implementation of universal coverage styled after numerous examples in Europe.  Conversely, the right descries the public option as unfettered socialism (a screaming taboo for Americans) and insists that such a plan would infringe upon private insurers’ independence and thus upon the very nature of a free market economy.  Personally, I believe that the public option President Barack Obama has been espousing in town hall meetings across the country for the last few months is our only viable, sustainable solution.  Many of my compatriots would disagree.  The sound and fury that Mr. Obama has been met with have been edging toward anarchy–the reaction his policies have received has been, well, frightening.  Protesters have arrived at these meetings armed with shotguns, while congressman Joe Wilson ventured so far into insubordination as to denounce the President directly on the senate floor.  You would think, with all these accusations and mounting lawlessness, that we were living in the Wild West where problems would be solved by whomever shouted the loudest or carried the biggest gun. 

 

AC survey: ‘wide range of opinions’ on homosexuality

Platform 6 Activity (AC)

This year, as always, didn’t disappoint in giving a voice to a wide range of opinions about the issues Platform 6, the college gay-straight alliance, discusses on a regular basis. Unique to this year was that the staff were also invited to participate. A total of 104 people responded to the survey.

36% of people who replied considered themselves religious, and 52% identified themselves as nonreligious. The remaining 12% labeled themselves as “other”. Before coming to Atlantic College, 28% had never met a homosexual male, and 61% had never med a bisexual male. 50% of the respondents had never met a homosexual female, and 41% had never met a bisexual female. A full 81% had never met a transgendered person.

AC environmental focus week: “Climate change is not an essay you can delay”

Assi Askala (Finland, AC 09-11)

 

As all the UWCs are full of active and globally concerned young people, so is Atlantic College. Due to that, we have large number activities, and every single week we have a focus on one theme. We all know that climate change is a crucial issue, so it is not a wonder that the environmental focus week was a big event. The whole week was full of various activities connected to the environment. There was bike-fixing, a capture-the-flag game, tours around campus, a dark hour with all lights out, a pumpkin competition and movies shown every day. We had experienced speakers and climate activists from all over the UK giving presentations. The aim of the week was to give students a possibility to get to know more about different prospects of climate change and to make them more familiar with are surroundings and sustainable living at AC.

 

“Make the country safe – Kick the black sheep out”

Carolin Steindel (Switzerland, AC 08-10)

 

 

Switzerland- a country known for its banks, mountains and chocolate. It is considered a peaceful place, hardly ever mentioned in the news and politically absolutely uninteresting. It is considered the “country of neutrality “, always managing to keep out of every conflict or scandal – apparently.

But Switzerland has always been good at keeping secrets. It is hardly known, that Switzerland collaborated with the Nazis during the 2^nd world war, profiting of the Jewish workforces from the concentration camps. It is also not widely known, that Switzerland might have one of the strongest right wing parties in central Europe.

Its name is SVP Schweizerische Volkspartei, Swiss party for the people, does not sound as shocking as it should. According to Wikipedia it is a “populist, national conservative  political party in Switzerland”. Surely true. Conservative in the way as that they pledge to abolish the freedom of religion. National in the way that they fight the Anti-racism law, demanding the right of racist comments.  And popular- well the SVP holds 23% [1]of the popular vote. Strangely enough, officially of the 7. Mio people living in Switzerland, 2000 are considered conspicuous  in terms of right wing politics, less than  0.03.% but 23% vote for a right wing party. Why most participants of a party claiming that Switzerland should be kept “pure”, are not considered right wing? – Good question.  

Ramadan, The month of Fasting

Zainab Syed (Pakistan, AC 08-10)

“O you who believe! the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al Mutaaqun (the pious). (Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g., an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if you only know. The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong) So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.” (2:183-185)

The Muslims conform to the lunar calendar for their religious festivities. Ramadan is the 9^th month on the lunar calendar. It is this month the Quran (the word of Allah) was revealed through the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The prophet, born in Mecca, Arabia was 40 years old when the first revelation came to him. He was known widely among his people as Al Amin( trustworthy) and Al Sadiq( truthful). Perturbed by the immorality, injustice and degenerate practices of his time, he would often retreat to the cave of Hira, meditating and reflecting. It was on one such night in the month of Ramdan which was revered even then that the holy angel Gabriel came to him. Muhammad (p.h.u.b) was frightened by the unexpected sight of the angel who urged him to recite the first letter of Quran, ‘Read’! In the Name of the Lord Who Has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.’ (Surah Al-Alaq)

“No room in this melting-pot of culture to be overly-sensitive”

Wonga Andrew Ndopu (South Africa, AC 09-11)

For those who live under rocks and might have missed developments in pop culture in recent history, Mariah Carey has become the artist with the most number-one singles ever after releasing her eighteenth chart-topper, Touch My Body, last year. Divulging this trivia has less to do with the success of the over-achiever-diva and more to do with the theme of the song title which ostensibly explores the expression of love and affection in a physical form.

The Change I Would Like To See In My Country

Hannah Friedland (USA, AC 09-11)

 

I want to see my country throw off the shackles of relatively recent precedents, such as a century of staunch interventionism after an equally extreme century of isolationism, and act not upon the confines of antiquated doctrine but what is right for the people of our country and the world. I want my country to stop its attempt to remake the world in its own image, an image that is still evolving, and remember that lasting political change must come from the people, a truth my country’s founding can attest to. I want my country to challenge its definition of patriotism and learn to redefine its identity in an age when new countries are taking the mantle of superpower. I want my country to see the possible pluralism of being a citizen of America, of the world, of a religion, of a race, of a history other than its own. I want my country to care for its land, to treat it as a national treasure like any other and not as a divine right. I want my country to stop focusing on the differences of parties and remember the uniting miracle that both sides believe in the constitution, a stronger tie than varying interpretations. I want my country to marvel at maps. I want my country to remember that we were once all immigrants.

Ted Kennedy “last politician with truly firm convictions”

William Holt (USA, AC 09-11)

 

To the believers, he was the liberal lion of the American senate; to his detractors, a bawdy caricature of the left wing. After dismissing these partisan divisions for simply what they are, petty divisions, one can’t deny the presence, the sheer command over politics in the United States, of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

 

On May 17, 2008 Kennedy suffered two consecutive seizures at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.  He was air-lifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  There, the diagnosis turned grave.  Teddy, the last of the Brothers Kennedy, the last standing patriarch of America’s Camelot, was dying of a brain tumor.  The best doctors in the country, in Boston and at Duke, projected him to last only another year.