Extra-Academic Programs

Let the people do the talking…

Nukaaka: “A very moving and rich inter-cultural experience in the cold norwegian January.”

Nguyen: “This has been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had in this freezing Nordic country. Carved in my memory was the spiral wooden stair in Bryggen Museum that led me to all the antiquated trace of a once-upon-a-time flamboyant Norwegian history, or the magnificent assembly hall in Rosenkrantz Tower embellished with ancient symbolic pictures.”

Nguyen: “What stunned me more was the warm hearts of Norwegian youths, including not only the students in Asane Folkhogschool where I was hosted, but also those who donated money throughout the fundraising task for Safuge, who were willing to stop by in the harshly windy weather to listen to me proudly sharing the effort that Safuge members had been making and the philanthropic purpose of Safuge and of the youths’ contribution. The trip was also a chance for me and other UWC students to inspire Norwegian students outside UWC with the cultural values earned from our life-changing UWC experience.”

Ricardo: “I might say we came to earn more than we shared.  An incredible Hollywood theater welcomed us, a typical delicious Norwegian breakfast were served every day and the volleyball game organized at the end by the local students created a wave of energy with happiness and joys. In return, we gave Spanish course, taught Salsa and explained to the school about community service at RCNUWC taking Safuge as an example.  We made this PBL a really successful one, what I am really proud of.”

Claudia: “Any time I travel around Norway I get a completely different shade of its culture; this time particularly we had the opportunity to interact more with other students approximately our age, which was lots of fun despite the short time spent together and the initial akwardness: Asane school’s students were really warm and made us feel welcome from the very beginning, inviting us to activities in class or just for a talk and a cup of tea; I am sure if the PBL lasted a bit more, good friendships could have started.”

Claudia: “What I really liked was the miscellaneous of activities we had, that did not give us the time to get bored: we needed one more singer for the choir, and I joined; we missed an helper for the salsa activities? I found myself explaining steps. We found a volleyball? In a couple of minutes we had too many players in the gym, and had to take turns. It must be said that it has been physically tiring, walking a lot every day, dancing, playing, singing, but it is definitely worth a couple of days of relax and good time (moreover, knowing that you’re doing something good with the fund-raising!)”

Pema: ” The most challenging part for me in this PBL was when we started to raise fund for SaFuGe. I didn’t know how I should approach people to make them listen to what we (SaFuGe) do.  Through the help of a friend I was able to overcome the fear of approaching people. I also got a chance to learn salsa dance, played volleyball and enjoy the theater students’ show. We also gave presentations about SaFuGe to the students of Asana School. It was tiring at the end of the day but there was this feeling of joy that makes me feel that it was worth doing what we did the whole day.”