What was the most interesting you did during this year at UWC?

UWC adventure is something breathtaking, that I wish everybody could experience! It is a spontaneous meeting that can shape your mindset fundamentally. UWC is world. UWC is people. UWC is me!

The first year in UWCSEA campus has been spent never better! Although, it was tough enough academically to sustain myself on the good level, the year was mixed with many relieving activities and trips. One of the most interesting things I was lucky enough to experience was UWC day. It was beautifully celebrated traditional occasion at the college: all the primary, middle and high school students were wearing national costumes. Initially, it seemed to be mind-blowing realizing how big national diversity is in our school. Many countries varying from A to Z were well represented. Not only the costumes were decorating the school that day, but the food offered at the canteen cooked by parents, staff members and students. I am sure, the taste of that unusually looking food will always stay with my taste receptors. Regarding me, I cooked bunch of beef dumplings (pelmeny) having offered them to my new newly made friends. Most of that I liked the cooking process itself sharing one kitchen with many other students. Pasta, ugali, paella, taco and other snacks- all the smells were united in one symphony spreading all-round the kitchen. That is why this experience is very valued and appreciated by me!

How different were the academics from your previous school?

The academics at UWCSEA is very different from my previous school that I attended. The classes there last up to 80 minutes and are spent very effectively in the form of discussions rather than one-way lectures. The course of any sciences is filled with really entertaining practices well demonstrating the applicability of things we learn. At school, the main purpose of teaching process is not only to deliver knowledge from teacher to student but to transform little interest in subject into a strong curiosity that might influence your future professional development. Even though, you are offered 6 subjects to learn, doing them properly takes most of the time. The essays, film projects, written assessments, extended essay- that is what differs the learning process back home and UWC. Here, the student-teacher relationships are way closer than I initially expected. You are always welcome having a dinner at teacher’s house as well as being hosted for a while. At school, teacher is more like an assistant that pushes you towards the right direction. It is always good to be asking questions demonstrating your personal engagement and being into the passion of learning.

What was the most difficult and unexpected for you?

To be fair, the most challenging part was the period of getting used to IB itself. The exam marking system seemed very confusing. It does not really matter if your answer is correct or wrong unless it matches with the points of mark scheme. Overall, it took me half of the year to work out my own study strategy that would be beneficial for the exam preparation. Here, the quality of your study matters most: how well you adjust your schedule, how many past papers you do and how well you understand the content. For me personally, it turned out that my study methods that I used back home didn’t work at all. I mean, if I learn something well, I would do really well on the exam, however, this is not how IB works! It pushes to applying things, it really does. It pushes you thinking abstractly: hmm, what are they expecting in my answer; hmm, it is 3-mark question, therefore, I need to mention only 3 things and etc. I have realized that IB needs to be treated philosophically, not getting down every time you get something you don’t really desire.

What kind of CAS activities did you participate in?

Throughout the year, I was doing AMK minds service- I was leading the group sessions for physically disabled people. Precisely, we were playing African drums trying to develop motor and rhythmic skills. It has all started with maintaining a simple tempo using both of the hands. Clients were perceiving it as a small game well engaging and interacting with the members of our group. By the end of the year we have achieved a big progress noticing the improvements in their physical coordination. Here, I have become really passionate about cross country and running in general. For me, it has become more like a mental game that forces to cope the internal obstacles. My second service activity is Rainforest restoration where the squad of enthusiastic and inspired students works at school nursery looking after and investigating the endangered rainforest species. Our primary aim is to create realistic tropical forest conditions for the species to sustain their lives successfully right at school. Also, we often work at Singapore Botanic Gardens being supervised by professor Mr Elango- the head of tree transplanting. Working with the endangered species is a big fun activity that builds up the fundamental awareness of social responsibility. Next year I will open the dance club for people interested in that, better late than never! Actually, it took me quite a little to dance at school music assembly to force people for persuading me to start it!

What were your project weeks about?

There were four of us in our group: me, Nana from Ghana, Houji from China and Krit from Thailand. Our project week trip was heading towards the charming country Cambodia. The week spent there will always be remembered. Having arrived to Phnom Penh, we attended to genocide museum (historical monument resembling the era of Khmer Rouge). Looking at really horrific pictures of people suffering the violence personally for me it has become clear how significant and valuable UWC values and rules are! Generally, our trip had a volunteer mission. We were working at “Epic Arts” NGO which is focused on educating impaired children. The mission of trip was aiming to create a radio podcast regarding the philosophy of “Epic Arts” and its location, Kampot. As a result, we ended up with the 23-minute podcast mentioning the cultural, historical and culinary features of Kampot alongside the explanation of “Epic Arts” activities. All in all, it was amazing to be perform as an interviewer, leader and a tourist asking numerous questions face-to-face locals, high school teachers, restaurant chiefs and “Epic Arts” staff members.

What would you like to wish to the future firsties? 

Time spent in UWC community is probably the most encouraging and motivating time you could ever have. It’s given for you to be become a better person than you are. It’s given for you to alter and reconsider your beliefs and values. It’s given to look at the world outside and inside you. It’s given to discover new horizons and trying new things. It’s given to make strong bonds and connections with people. It’s only up to you how could make it more meaningful!

Again, again and again! I would really like to thank National Committee for letting the younger generation to be the part of world UWC community.

Thank you!

Kamil, UWC SEA'2018