ISSUE 2, SEPTEMBER 2015
5102 REBMETPES ,2 EUSSI
CONTENTS 04 //
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT UWC SOCIETY FOR BANGLADESH
06 //
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT UWC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF BANGLADESH
08 //
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
07 //
09 //
10 //
ABOUT UWC
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FINDING HOME IN A WOUNDED CITY CHOWDHURY WALID TAHABEE
12 //
16 //
LIFE AT THE UWC COSTA RICA LUTFE-E-NOOR RAHMAN
THE LASTING IMPACT OF UWC SALSABEEL KHAN
24 //
THE JOURNEY THROUGH WATERFORD ZAYD OMAR
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FAQ PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS
TALE OF A 1ST YEAR ANIBA RAHMAN
20 //
37 //
UWC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
22 //
DRILLS, CLIFFS & PSEUDO - SCIENCE SHAHID MAZHAR SHABAB
30 //
FEATURING UWC CHANGSHU CHINA
38 //
ALBUM
One World is an initiative by the UWC Alumni Association of Bangladesh. Views expressed in One World are not necessarily the views of the Alumni Association or UWC Society for Bangladesh.
Design:
Md. Tafsirul Alam Tusar tusar4rsd@gmail.com | www.tusargrapix.com
MESSAGE FROM
PRESIDENT
UWC SOCIETY FOR BANGLADESH
One World
A. B. A. Siraj Uddowlah
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History of civilization tells us that education is the backbone of development. Being a developing Country, Bangladesh needs a lot of educated people. “Education” in its true sense. For that, we need students with high I.Q. and suitable institutions with highly motivated and dedicated teachers, qualified enough to produce “good human beings”, who can guide and lead the society and the nation. I have observed during the last 25 years that United World Colleges do provide such platform. The teachers there, are highly qualified, dedicated and are proud of their own profession. Over the years, many Bangladeshi students, more than 125 by now, have graduated from different UWC’s. Most of them have continued their studies in reputed Universities of U.S. and Europe and some has even completed Ph.Ds. Irrespective of their branch of discipline, all of them have been able to study their coveted subjects. Some of them have already returned home and are well-established in Bangladesh. These young people are full of enthusiasm and consider themselves to be fully capable to serve the motherland in any capacity.
economically, which will be acclaimed globally. We still need a lot more of the UWC blood to build our beloved Country, as “Sonar Bangla”. Unfortunately, many of our talented students cannot afford to attend a United World College because of financial constraints. We do not have social benefit scheme, guaranteed by the state. After more than 200 years of British Colonial rule and nearly 50 years history of disparity, exploitation followed by the War of independence and subsequent political murders, “Coup-de-tat” etc. has put us far behind many nations in terms of education, economic, industrial and Agricultural development. As a result, it is still the 1st generation parentsupported family in Bangladesh. Many brilliant students from the lower and middle income group of these families are deprived of the UWC level education. The National Committee has, therefore, started a fund for providing financial assistance to the brilliant but financially constrained students. Donation is the only source of income for this fund. We strongly urge upon our Alumni and parents to contribute regularly to this fund, so that we may send as many of these poor students as possible, every year to different UWCs. “UWC Society for Bangladesh” will issue grateful acknowledgement for every such contribution.
I have observed during the last 25 years that United World Colleges do provide such platform. The teachers there are highly qualified, dedicated and are proud of their own profession.
May Allah Bless us all!
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I am confident that, in no time, we shall have enough UWC alumni in Bangladesh, who will fill up many important places in the society and the hierarchy, from where they will be able to steer our beloved motherland to new heights, socially and
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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT UWC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF BANGLADESH
RAQUIB MOHAMMAD FAKHRUL
UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA (1988-1992)
Since day one, United World Colleges (UWC) has been focused on providing young people an unparalleled educational experience which fosters intellectual curiosity, collaboration and understanding. From the humble beginning in South Wales in 1962, the movement now comprises 14 schools and colleges that span across five continents. Our graduates have become very successful in their chosen fields, which is a reflection of the comprehensive nature of the education that is on offer.
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My experience at UWC of South East Asia has shaped my perception on life and I have used that knowledge as the foundation for my career. My modus operandi in life is: “Appreciate, care and share.� These values have been with me since I was at UWC and they will continue to be a part me of in the future.
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I had urged the Alumni Association of Bangladesh to promote diversity in our selection process, and I am pleased to say that this year we have implemented a comprehensive outreach program which encompasses
governmental and private institutions. I am also very pleased with the yearbooks that we have started to publish since last year. It is a great accomplishment which could not have been done without the collaboration of all the volunteers and alumni. It is a great privilege to be the President of the UWC Alumni Association and a member of the UWC National Committee of Bangladesh. I would like to give my special thanks to the current President of the National Committee Mr. A.B.A. Siraj Uddowlah for his help and support with our activities. The commitment and the dedication of all the members of the organization have been exceptional. Their hard work and time have enabled us to provide unprecedented level of support to the UWC cause in Bangladesh and I highly praise them for their contribution to help me realize the UWC vision. Finally, I wish all the best to our most current students and hope that they will be able to fulfill their potential and prosper like those who have preceded them.
e e t t i m m o C l a n o i t a CN
UW
s r e b m e M f o t s i L
• Mr. A.B.A. Siraj Uddowlah
• Mr. Syed Nasim Manzur
• Mr. K.Z. Islam
• Ms. Safina Rahman
• Ms. Khadija Afzal
• Dr. Forrest E. Cookson
• Mr. S.M. Abdul Mannan
• Ms. Ayesha Dada
• Professor Hafiz G.A. Siddiqi, Ph.D • Mr. Raquib M. Fakhrul • Ms. Lubna Choudhury
• Eng. Md. Enamul Haque
• Ms. Niloufer Mahmood
• Ms. Trimita Chamka
• Ms. Syeda Shabnam Huda
• Maj Gen. (Retd) Mohammad Shamim Chowdhury
• Ms. Khaleda Mariam Sajjad
• Ms. Rubina Karim
• Mr. Ashraf Hossain
• Ms. Mahera Khatun
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• Ms. Farida Shahiedullah
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS UWC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF BANGLADESH
President Mr. Raquib M. Fakhrul
88-1992) UWC South East Asia (19
Raquib is a class of 1994 from UWCSEA Singapore. He completed BBA with concentration in Finance. He is an entrepreneur and established businessman with his operations ranging from FM Radio, Facility Management, Vocational Training and Manpower. He is also involved in Chambers and Associations based in Bangladesh. He is married to an UWCSEA Alumnus and blessed with a son.
Member Ms. Ayesha Dada
89-1995) UWC South East Asia (19
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Ayesha holds a M.Sc. in Development Management from the London School of Economics. She is currently the Managing Director of HAB Securities Ltd one of the leading stock brokers in the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
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Secretary General Ms. Trimita Chakma
UWC Atlantic College (20 00-2
002)
Trimita completed her M.Sc. in IT Management from Carnegie Mellon University on an Australia Awards Scholarship in 2008. Trimita is an active campaigner for the rights of women and indigenous peoples of Bangladesh and currently works for Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) in Thailand.
Secretary General Mr. Najmus Sakib Ahmed
UWC Mahindra College (20 03-2
005)
Sakib is a filmmaker. He is currently engaged in his feature directorial debut, Priyanka. Alongside, he is producing Korarowd and Hayat. Sakib also works at a film production company, Bengal Creations, which is promoted by the Bengal Foundation. Sakib and his colleagues are working to create a new cinema culture in Bangladesh.
Treasurer Mr. Tamzeed Ahmed
02)
UWC Atlantic College (2000-20
Tamzeed went on to Macalester College as a Kofi Annan scholar for undergrad in Economics and Mathematics. He completed Masters from Manchester Business School after a 1 year stint at IPDC in Dhaka. He has been working for Unilever Bangladesh Limited since 2009 in Dhaka and has spent one year abroad in 2014 working for Unilever Asia Private Limited.
Member Ms. Syeda Samira Sadeque 08)
UWC Mahindra College (2006-20
Syeda Samira Sadeque is a writer and journalist currently based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She graduated from UWC Mahindra College in 2008, and went on to university at Grinnell College in USA.
Meet our
volunteers 07-2009)
(20 UWC Atlantic College
Ehsan Haq completed his masters from the University of Nottingham in 2013 before which he did his undergraduate from the University of Leicester both in Economics. His journey started in UK back in 2007 when he attended the United World College of Atlantic. Presently he is a Director at Knittex Industries Ltd, a garment manufacturer, handling his own clients, orders and managing the factory.
Farisha Khan
013)
(2011-2 UWC Atlantic College
Farisha is currently on her final year of law degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She will be joining an international law firm in London as a commercial.
Mr. Tabinda B. Murshed
UWC Li Po Chun (2007- 200 9)
Ms Tabinda Murshed is class of 2009 LPCUWC. She completed her undergrad from NYU and post a 9 month stint in wealth management in New York City she's back in Dhaka establishing herself as an entrepreneur.
Esrat Waris
UWC Atlantic College (20 04-2
006)
Eshrat is a data junkie at BRAC who travels around Bangladesh trying to understand its labor market dynamics. When she's not falling out of buses, she's up on some roof with Granta. In between she somehow managed to graduate with a MA in International Economics & Development from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Mr. Kazi Rahman
00)
UWC Atlantic College (1998-20
Kazi is a qualified lawyer, entrepreneur and a writer. After studying and working abroad for the better part of a decade, he has moved back to Bangladesh to use his skills and knowledge to start a business in Bangladesh and affect social change through his writings.
Itmum Momin
2-2013) Waterford Kamhlaba UWC (201
Itmum is currently in his sophomore year at NYU Shanghai and is part of the college's second batch. In addition to being a student, Itmum is a Resident Assistant, President of the Undergraduate Business Association and part of the college's Student Strategic Management Consultant team. One World
Mr. Ehsan Haq
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About UWC
One World
UWC stands for United World Colleges which represents a group of 14 international schools and colleges, over 140 national committees and a series of short educational programmes. United World Colleges all consist of students from various countries, race, background, ethnicity and cultural dynamics coming together to one place to partake in a variety of academic, educational and extracurricular activities. The end goal of such a unique educational institution is to inspire its students to create a more peaceful and sustainable future.
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The origins of the UWCs go back to 1962 with the aim of bringing together young people whose experience was of the political conflict of the cold war era, offering an educational experience based on shared learning, collaboration and understanding so that the students would act as champions of peace. The initiative was undertaken by Kurt Hahn at the very first UWC called Atlantic College located in Wales. The colleges still share this goal but have extended this approach
and applied it to tensions and conflicts that exist within as well as between societies today. UWC is proud of their comprehensive scholarship programme that offers over 60% of the national committee selected students to receive full or partial aid towards their UWC experience. Due to a deliberately diverse student intake, varying financial assistance like bursaries, scholarships (full and/or partial tuition, room/board), and fee structure are formulated to ensure a wide-ranging socio-economic mix in the student body. At UWC the main goal is to ensure the students take back more than just what is offered to them in the classrooms and during their time spent there. It is to learn and develop and acquire an insight that will impact upon their adult lives in a positive manner and help bring about a change in the world for the better.
There are currently 14 UWC schools and colleges comprising of students aged between 2 and 19 across Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Armenia, Costa Rica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands. The alumni network spans over 50,000 from more than 180 nations. The main UWC international office is located in London. Out of the present institutions, nine currently teach the IB (International Baccalaureate) with the schools in the Netherlands, Singapore and Swaziland teaching pre-16 syllabus to younger students. On average, each of these institutions consists 200 to 300 students from around 85 countries. The National Committees scattered across 140 countries source the students and help them to apply and go through the formalities of coming to a UWC. Their selection of students is purposefully diverse from various backgrounds and experiences in order to ensure a mix of all kinds of students being present in one environment. Students can be on full and partial scholarships based on their needs and merits, while there are some who are full fee paying.
AFRICA:
-Waterford Kamhlaba UWC, Mbabane, Swaziland
ASIA:
-Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong SAR, China -UWC Mahindra College, Pune, India -UWC South East Asia, Singapore
EUROPE:
-UWC Adriatic, Duino, Italy -UWC Atlantic College, Llantwit Major, UK -UWC Dilijan, Dilijan, Armenia -UWC Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands -UWC in Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina -UWC Red Cross Nordic, Flekke, Norway -UWC Robert Bosch College, Freiburg, Germany
NORTH AMERICA:
-Pearson College UWC, Victoria, Canada -UWC-USA Montezuma, New Mexico, USA
CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA: -UWC Costa Rica, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
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Worldwide
UWC colleges and schools
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Tale of a
1st
year
Aniba Rahman
One World
UWC Maastricht 2014-2016
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When I was told to write up a two-page summary of my first year in United World College Maastricht, I was taken over by waves and waves of emotions. Having spent a considerate amount of time living in this beautiful madness, I can tell you that every single day has been an adventure and still is. The picture above was taken during the first few days of the year and however, while the sun has taken refuge behind the clouds, the smiles have not disappeared because of stress and deadlines.
your dreams are given birth to and there is always room for change. ‘Bailando’ rings clear from the Mensa (cafeteria) building, second floor. This where shaking hands beside your head is a sign of agreement. Stereotypes are broken and where humor is accompanied after every serious moment. Global issues are acknowledged and discussed and campaigns are carried to bring about a solution. Sunday afternoons are a synonym for studying and Saturday nights are dedicated to exploring the city. Everyday is unpredictable but thrilling. Contentment comes from discussions about life philosophies and existentialism. This is where my other home is.
It seems like yesterday I arrived at the shining campus which looked clean and alive with the air of everyone’s excitement at starting a new year and for us, starting a fresh chapter of our lives, a blank paper, ready to be colored and sprayed with memories and experiences, like the large flags hanging proud from the windows. An English-Indian-German second year living in Belgium opened our taxi door eager to help me out and take my bags, although I insisted I could carry them. He told me, before introductions ‘Don’t worry. I’m here to help.’ That was, in short, a brief idea of the support given here, it’s infinite and ever-present.
Currently, in my first year, I am still growing and getting adjusted to the IB. It takes time to get into the rigor and routine of it and I cannot say that it is easy but with good management of time, it is possible. Seeing the second years stress over their EE’s, IA’s and mocks do have an effect on you, which is why it is best to start assignments early and prioritize activities which is one of the endless lessons I’ve learned. In terms of CAS activities, the list is endless, ranging from African Dance, Bollywood Dance to Public Speaking Club. We hold three main conferences every year: International Peace Conference, TEDx and TOK Conference, all of which are student lead. There is also a sustainability conference happening next year and the regular daily events organized by the students like CandleNight, where we gather to tell stories to each other.
My family and I were stunned, at the enormity of the campus, the flowing moat around it, the three boarding houses standing strong opposite each other; but above all the people. The love between everyone was palpable and I was overwhelmed by the flurry of nationalities and names I was being told. The change-makers of the world, from every corner, compacted here in this small town in the Netherlands. 196 countries. 97 nationalities. 7 continents. 1 school. Same dream and all united under this one umbrella of a stellar education.
However, my favorite is the tradition that is UWC Maastricht only: the String Game. We tie strings around those who mean most to us, someone we want to get to know or around anyone we have something meaningful to say to. Otherwise known as the biggest tear-jerking event in the year.
Welcome to UWC Maastricht, a human version of Utopia.
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Welcome to UWC Maastricht. This is where birthdays are celebrated with dirt and mud and uncontrolled laughter in the middle of the moat, be it rainy or sunny, or in the shower after midnight with shaving cream, pasta sauce and various thrown at you. This is where,
The end of my first year is fast approaching, with a few months left and our second years leave in a month. However, we are in our own bubble with active citizens of the world and it is this world of mine that has had the biggest change on me. It is here that discussions of philosophy of life and ethics that prolong the night.
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Finding Home in a
WOUNDED CITY
In the fall of 2010, my brother left home to pursue a life changing opportunity, an opportunity that one day I would get as well. That day UWC Mostar 2014-2016 came 4 years later. During this time I frequently read about the history of call my home. Mostar is an extremely beautiful, but UWC and the UWC movement, and heavily wounded city. I’ve come to learn that the city eventually I was convinced that there was nothing in and community are still recovering from the pain and the world that I wanted more than being a part of this sufferings of war. I remember my first day there, I was prestigious institution; living under one roof with the leaders of tomorrow, learning together, sharing ideas, and overwhelmed by the mere glimpse of the country I had advocating world peace; all of it just seemed too brilliant on the drive from the Sarajevo airport to the residence. Mejdan, my residence, was pin drop silent when I first for me to miss out on. arrived, though later I found out that everyone had been at the Opening Ceremony. Just as I started to unpack, Honestly, I would have preferred finishing high school in I heard the voices of my new family to be, loud and a more familiar setting, like India, or even the US where vibrant. Throughout my first year, Mejdan had been I have about a dozen relatives because looking at the extremely and consistently noisy and full of life. 14 UWC colleges around the world I never considered
Chowdhury Walid Tahabee
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living in, Swaziland, or Costa Rica, and I definitely never thought I would ever be living in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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However, that’s where I am today, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is my second favorite place in the whole world and a place that I often subconsciously
My first year experience in Mostar has made me stronger in many aspects of life. Living independently has taught me some basic life skills that I’m truly embarrassed to not have learnt until the age of 16. Living in a diverse, UWC community has taught me more than I could have
that I needed to change my sleeping habits in order to face what the next two years had in store for me. It took me a while to process what I had just been informed of, but soon enough I realized that my life was about to change forever.
It had been a stressful period; with my O’level exams just around the corner, and of course the uncertainty and stress relating to my application to UWC. But eventually my hard work and dedication had paid off; The phone rang late in the afternoon. as I’m currently living the two years By then, I had already been waitlisted of my life I had always dreamed for several weeks. In all honesty, of. I remember my very first day at regardless of having been constantly Mostar. It was the second day of reassured that the national induction week. I was overwhelmed committee had been dedicating all by the mere glimpse of the city I their efforts for that one extra spot, I had already gotten on my way to didn’t think I was actually going to be the residence. Mejdan residence was living that life I had always dreamed quiet when I first arrived, as everyone of. After all the amazing stories I was at the Opening Ceremony of had heard of my elder brother’s the academic year. However that experiences at Pearson College, the was perhaps the first and last time idea of actually living that idealistic Mejdan had been so peaceful. Just as life seemed so unrealistic and out I had started to unpack, I heard the of reach. But it was that phone call voices of my family to be. I received which marked the beginning of a a warm welcome, and kickstarted the new chapter in my life. I remember best two years of my life. it like it was yesterday. My mother shook me out of my unconsciousness Over the last 3 months, my in a matter of seconds, and told me experiences have exceeded well
For the first time in my life, I have purpose. I feel like I’m a part of something important, something well beyond my individual capabilities. In Mostar, we as a community play a vital role in rebuilding and reuniting the city that has been divided among the peoples as a result of the recent ethnic wars. We have the responsibility of setting an example for the Croats and Bosniaks fighting over their differences, rather than celebrating them as we do. UWC not only offers a world-class education, but also provides a platform for the brightest minds around the globe to come together and build the foundation of the romantic, yet seemingly reachable idea of world peace.
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ever imagined. UWC has imposed its values on me, and a longing for change that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I am truly grateful to have undergone this experience. UWC not only offers a world-class education, but also provides a platform for the brightest, young minds around the globe to come together and build the foundation for the world of tomorrow. Being a part of this movement is truly an honor.
beyond my expectations. I tried many new things. I learned about the different views and opinions of different people from different religious, cultural, ethnic and socio economic backgrounds, and as a result I began to question my own views. I have overcome my many fears and stepped well beyond my comfort zone. I am more aware of my many strengths and weaknesses. All in all I have already come a long way. It has been a journey of selfdiscovery and enlightenment; a journey that changed my perspective and opened my mind to a whole new world. I have truly grown as a human being. That’s the beauty of UWC. It provides a platform for undertaking new challenges and it has been a huge eye opener for me. I feel that the sense of idealism and the socalled ‘UWC spirit’ is what actually sets us apart.
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Life at The UNITED WORLD COLLEGE COSTA RICA 16
Lutfe-E-Noor Rahman UWC Costa Rica 2012-2014
My residence Cahuita (named after a beach in Costa Rica like all the other residences) had 24 girls. Every week we had residence meetings with the two RAs (Residence Assistants) and our residence coordinator Brenda who was also the school nurse. At first I thought, instead of allowing us girls to debate for hours over where the residence outing should be or what brand of kettle we should buy, why didn’t Brenda decide for us? Soon I realized that the kind of autonomy that we were allowed to experience, the challenge of arriving at plausible solutions to many challenging situations taking into account our different cultural backgrounds and expectations, learning to communicate and listen to each other in a respectful manner while having our opinions counted is one of many ways experiential learning took place at UWCCR. One of my favorite things about UWC was the fact that even when I had no idea of how I could do something, the expectations that my teachers, friends and fellow UWCers had of me and the support they showed led me to try, learn and accomplish things that I wouldn’t have otherwise such as learning to ride a bike, designing a crazy contraption for a physics lab or carrying out a mini-grant project. In celebration of UWC Day (21st September), UWCCR organizes a service day each year for which the students and staff plan and do service activities with various communities. As part of the Mediation Group, some of us went to a local school to conduct a workshop on non-violent communication. Getting the students to stop talking amongst themselves or just trying to hold their attention for such a mature topic was challenging but we left the school having had created a tiny space for self reflection and thought provoking conversations related to family violence, peer pressure, bullying, self respect, gender discrimination and more.
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The United World College Costa Rica (UWCCR) campus is located in Santa Ana, a small town less than an hour’s drive from downtown San Jose,the capital. It is surrounded by green hills on two sides with wind turbines on a few of the the hilltops making the horizons quite picturesque. It is home to many kinds of plants - from colorful flowers to fruit trees such as mango,lemon, guava and my favorite- the orange trees all within the campus boundary. The only way I can describe Costa Rican weather is that it is somewhere between a Bangladeshi summer and spring without the overbearing heat at night. During the rainy season you can expect to take out your umbrella almost every afternoon for a few minutes. We also inhabited the campus with the local wildlife- a mix of beautiful and colorful birds, butterflies, iguanas, armadillos and of course hummingbirds!
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There is a special kind of joy in having a hummingbird fly into your biology class during its search for nectar from a passion flower plant growing right outside the window. Only at UWCCR is such an event not only imaginable but possible. My English language class could have been easily renamed a debate class as our conversations about media, globalization, gender representation in literary works or human rights would often carry over from the classroom to cafeteria queue and lunch tables. Discussions about world economies were truly special with almost everyone in the class coming from a different country. Although the IB is challenging in its own way, it becomes even more so combined with the pace of events and life at UWCCR. It meant that each of us had to constantly work to balance ourselves between academic, co-curricular and other interests, interpersonal relationships as well as rest because there was always a meeting, multiple deadlines or some interesting event going on and never enough time for all.
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During the afternoons we had extracurricular activities (CAS) and there were numerous options to choose from. In my first year I joined the biking group, learnt to ride a bike and also played volleyball. There was a wide range of activities that the students could choose from: aerial acrobatics, slackline, mountain biking, climbing, tennis, running and yoga to name a few. Traditional ones such as swimming, basketball and football were
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also there but the best part is that students were able to introduce whatever new activity they wanted every semester with support from the co-curricular office if it met CAS criteria. Social responsibility- one of the main values promoted by the UWC movement in culmination with UWCCR’s location allowed us to become involved with the local community on many different levels. I was able to work with the Mediation Group at a women’s rehabilitation center. There were also various cultural and regional awareness weeks such as the Asian Week, Afro-Caribbean Week, Middle Eastern, North American, Latin American Week as well as Women’s Week, LGBTQ Week and much more during which the students organized and took part in various simulation activities, shared culinary delights and held TED style talks and discussions on relevant, interesting and controversial topics pertinent to the week’s theme. I really enjoyed these weeks as they not only created more intentional spaces for interesting dialogues, geocultural and political awareness but also reaffirmed our sense of community. Some regard Costa Rica as the happiest country in the world and it is not hard to imagine how that could be when one becomes aware of the Costa Rican philosophy of life that is “Pura Vida” meaning “Pure Life.” Its meaning can be interpreted in several ways but centers around the idea of living life purely, enjoyably and taking the time to appreciate beauty,
Conociendo Costa Rica (Getting to Know Costa Rica) is a program run by the co-curricular office. It organized monthly trips that always included a service component to them and took students and some staff to various locations throughout the country including volcanoes, mountains, rivers, national parks, Mayan ruins, organic farms, local businesses, rainforests and various other projects aimed at managing natural resources and biodiversity to give students an opportunity for gaining better appreciation and understanding of the socio-cultural, geographical and biological diversity that Costa Rica offers. Every year service week groups go to numerous locations both near and far from the school, including Panama to implement projects and/ or work with organizations in partnership with various communities for social development and ecological preservation in alignment with the UWC values. It is one thing to feel inspired by our teachers but another thing completely to be deeply inspired and moved by our friends and classmates. One of my proudest moments was attending the TEDxUWCCR event organized by my co-years and
first years in collaboration with a few staff members where many inspirational and heartwarming stories were shared by my fellow UWCers and teachers as well as influential public figures, scientists and innovative thinkers working for social changes from Costa Rica and USA. UWCCR provided me with a safe environment to voice my opinions, form ideas and have experiences inside and outside the classroom that shaped and continue to shape my identity and actions. I truly felt part of a community that dedicated itself to nurturing the values that it stood for among its members that included not only the students, staff and faculty but also outside communities it interacted with. The sincerity, attitude, love and smiles the tĂos and tĂas showed us when serving us lunch or just giving us extra snack because it was the week of some stressful deadline, the surprise birthday cakes with the tutor group and of course the support I had from various people through the many ups and downs of this intense time will always be remembered fondly. Each of us carry with us a different narrative of the UWC experience and though they share many common threads, they are unique to the individual. The UWC network is a powerful one because I know that I can depend on it when I reach out to it and for it. We, the alumni, teachers and those closely involved with the UWC movement in different capacities carry it with us as a part of ourselves in the form of values and ideals that we share through our interactions with other communities we become parts of along the ways that our journeys take us.
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love and the experience of simply living. Nothing reminds me more of Pura Vida than the afternoon snacks I had sitting under a tree around a concrete table or on the grass with some friends, reflecting on life and admiring the beauty of the many colorful birds, butterflies, flowers, the brilliance of the afternoon sun, lush green grass and the diversity that was all around us and within us until the demands of the IB required us to be elsewhere.
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THE LASTING IMPACT OF UWC Salsabeel Khan
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UWC Adriatic 2010-2012
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Ciao a tutti. In Italian it is used for both hello and goodbye -it signifies both beginning and end. Every couple of months since I left dhaka in 2010 has been filled with these moments that are beginning and ends simultaneously, times of transition from old homes to new. In between these moments are the opportunity to experience places, people and food that I could not even have imagined five years ago. It is very difficult to avoid resorting to the clichĂŠd words-- 'transformative, 'life changing' when trying to describe those 2 years on the cliffs next to the Adriatic.
Maybe it will make more sense if I describe life after UWC. I am writing this sitting on yet another train going from Nice where I just had a mini UWC reunion with my Singaporean, Latvian and Texan co-years to return to Menton, a town on the French Riviera where I am currently in my exchange year. The reunion was expectedly nostalgia filled and we relived as much as we could in a couple of hours--the path to the port, the walks in the forest, the night swims with glowing algae, the spontaneous gelato trips. I have an exam tomorrow about political economy of the caucuses and Central Asia which is just one of the courses that is not directly about the Middle East and Mediterranean region (a fascinating time to be learning about the region and understanding the different actors behind the current political chaos). I am attempting to learn two languages while dabbling in two more. I will go home to my French and Lebanese roommates who have given me a glimpse of the particularities, cuisine and humor of their cultures.
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The fact that life got this way is all somehow linked to those defining years in Italy. I have the movement--the institution, the network and then the scholarships that followed--to thank for the ability to attend four years of a wonderful liberal arts college where I am immersed in an incredible academic environment. As a UWC scholar, I am able to go to college, but beyond that, I have been able to attend summer programs to study languages, concepts in peace, trade and development. However, what UWC gives is not limited to scholarships and friendships all over the world -- it's the lasting impact on my mindset. The values that are accentuated are empathy, compassion, tolerance that transcends any boundaries and intellectual curiosity. We get just two years to develop those values, to embrace the power of community and ideas, and to believe in a system rooted in wanting positive change. Then we get the rest of our lives to find ways to apply that idealistic mindsight to the present and face the seemingly endless challenges--I will do all of this knowing that I have my support system, friends from UWC and many more from after.
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Shahid Mazhar Shabab UWC Atlantic 2014-2016
My life didn’t start in BAF SEMS (Shaheen English Medium School). It was a metamorphosis, not a colossal divergence from my previous endeavours but it hinted at a new dawn. SEMS inherited its legacy by conforming to and portraying the essence of the Air Force in every bit of its culture. Starting from a military themed passing out parade to the synonymous drills practiced at military academies. Besides the martial DNA; SEMS proved to have redefining curricular and extracurricular activities. Slowly and steadily I harnessed the traits that embodied the UWC mission.
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When my dad first came up to me and said, “Can you survive on your own or are you still a momma’s boy?” I knew he had a grand plan. He enlightened me about the UWC movement and explicitly foretold that I was going to be involved in it. Prior to this small exchange, the existence of such a humane educational movement was elusive to my knowing. My goal from then on was clear: Be the UWC movement!
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Circumnavigating almost half way across the globe to my new home, I contemplated on the life I was going to enjoy. UWC Atlantic, the mother of all UWCs, beckoned while I was still lost in the sea of disbelief. The moment I stepped foot on the land, the feeling was euphoric. The various people I encountered, the infinite personalities I uncovered and the latitude of cultures I learned, it was all surreal. The science of social conformity did not apply to this structure, every being was accepted here. Ethnicity, nationality, gender, history and wealth were not the badges of an individual.
The first few days, my adept second years gave me a tour of the iconic castle and the pastures of St. Donat’s. A frequented haunt in this college was the cliffs that harboured the Bristol Channel. One of my first memories of fresh August was based upon these cliffs, the newly formed squad of first year boys heard the rumours. Soon enough we were spending hours of induction period lounging, being hypnotized by smooth pop tunes and indulging in deep meaningful conversations on the rocky faces of the shore. Now, as I am writing this, all the elation and banter has faded a bit as us first years prepare for our exams. This is no hint to the joy being completely obliterated but toned down until the day when our first years arrive. The UWC movement is an intricate science, the comprehension of this subject relies on various variables and criteria just like any other Group- 4 IA (Internal Assessment). First Years, get ready for the IB. But to me the movement branches beyond just science. It’s a potpourri of new beginnings, extended hospitality, indoctrinating traditions, alien accomplices and as clichéd as it might sound but also a life changing experience. A pseudo- science that you can only grasp when you live it.
THE JOURNEY THROUGH
WATERFORD One World
Zayd Omar
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Waterford Kamhlaba UWC 2011-2012
There are many legitimate questions those who get chosen for Swaziland have. Starting school half a year later (which get translated to starting university a year later) when compared to their other fellow NCs is often one of them. Another major concern that most parents have is the thought of sending their kids so far away, to a continent that most of us in Bangladesh have never visited and in our minds is one ravaged with war, disease and famine. But here is the story of Waterford that often isn’t heard during the selection process, but one, experienced only when you go there.
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For applicants to the Bangladeshi National Committee, the news of being selected for the UWC in Swaziland is often one of confused-excitement. It certainly was for me. And thus far my parents have had conversations with the parents of the three subsequent students who were chosen in order to calm any worries they may have about sending their kids to Swaziland.
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Unlike most other UWCs, Waterford is built on the backbone of one of mankind’s darkest struggles, Apartheid. Apartheid is the reason your parents’ first passport (or any passport issued before 1992) had on its first page, “Valid in every country except for Israel and South Africa”. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that only ended in 1992. Waterford was founded in 1963 as one of the first multi racial schools in Southern Africa. At first people thought of its diversity as “sickening” but since then, Waterford has continued to change and challenge society to pave the way for a better future for us all. Till this day it continues to produce some of the brightest and most influential minds in Africa. This is a school whose alumni includes members from both the Mandela and the Tutu family, a current head of state, former South African cabinet ministers and even an Oscar winner and not to mention the thousands (around 6500 over the past 51 years) of alumni who in there own small way continue to make the world a better place, including two Bangladeshis, one working for the World Bank in Africa and another who just graduated from Stanford University.
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I haven’t been to any other UWC so it would be unfair for me make any sweeping comments and judgments about them, but I do know Waterford.
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Waterford’s foundation is built on the belief of community and giving. Without the community, Waterford is only half itself. And giving back to the community and trying to make it a better place is Waterford’s forte. Every week students must engage in two hours of mandatory community service, this is excluding any
other project one may wish to pursue over their spare time. For most of us in Bangladesh, and in the rest of the world, the last two years of high school is spent not only achieving a stellar grade but also trying to make our college applications as shiny as possible with various extra curricular activities in order to impress the top universities. And Waterford easily helps you do that by making it a part of the academics. Another amazing thing about Waterford is its location. You, especially your parents, might think what does Swaziland have to offer? But here are a few reasons why Swaziland indeed is a superb location. Let’s face it most of us would love going to
a UWC in Europe. Who wouldn’t want to be travelling from London to Vienna and all that’s in between? But here’s a counterpoint that my dad told me when I was making my all-important decision to accept Waterford as my choice. He said, that we can easily go to Europe or Southeast Asia or India, but being able to live in southern Africa, truly is the opportunity of a lifetime. Most people don’t even have the option of visiting the different parts of Africa, but now being given the opportunity to study and live there, is truly once in a lifetime. And in all fairness, my dad was right. Living in Europe or America is something each of us will undoubtedly do at least at some point in our lives, because all of us will end up going to a university in North America or somewhere in Europe, but not many of us will be able to live in Africa unless something really special happens in terms of our professional life.
For my orientation week we actually did a treasure hunt through a game reserve. We had to track, collect, identify and
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South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe also happen to be stones throw away from Swaziland. And I can assure you the beauty of Southern Africa can rival any of that in Europe. You can backpack alongside some of the most beautiful beaches and forestlands in the world, not to mention the numerous school sponsored rock climbing or camping trips you can go on. Yes, Southern Africa may not have thousand-year-old churches or museums storing Picasso and Da Vinci paintings, but does the EU have Kruger national park (undoubtedly the Louvre of game/safari reserves)? The natural beauty of southern Africa is unmatched by any other region. And our misled perception of Africa truly falls apart.
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solve for things; we abseiled down hills and came petting distance to zebras, ostriches and springboks. For those of you who might do higher level geography, you will have opportunity to go do field research on the Durban coastline and the Indian Ocean. And for those thinking of taking biology, the bio-field trips include going to a nature reserve and from what I’ve heard also includes zip lining through the forest. Coming from the concrete jungles we live in, Waterford is the most exciting and refreshing change that one can hope for. Also a comforting note for parents would be that Waterford is an incredibly safe school. Due to the fact that it houses not only IB students but also middle school students, extra care and emphasis is given on the safety of the students.
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Every UWC is in its own way a truly unique and remarkable experience. In its purest form, going to Waterford represents one of the best examples of the UWC spirit. A mindset of openness, adventure, community, respect for fellow man and animal and one that is willing to leave its comfort zone. And Waterford with its history and location has been fulfilling the UWC ideals even before it became an official member of the group. Any student would be proud to be part of this tremendous legacy that
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Waterford has left behind. A legacy so well recognized by schools and institutions around the world that missing six months of school is the best decision the eight of us who’ve been there have ever made. If I could go back to Waterford again, I would… in a heartbeat. The eight Bangladeshi’s who have attended or are currently attending Waterford are , in order of attendance: Mikhail Dastagir(2004-2005), Navid Chowdhury (2007-2008), Riasat Ullah (2010-2011), Tahmeed Omar (20112012), Zayd Omar (2011-2012), Itmum Momin (2012-2013), AmbarAhmed (2014~) and Sameen Azad (2015~)
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FAQ 1. What diploma will I receive at the end my UWC years?
You will receive a diploma in International Baccalaureate.
2. How many years is the UWC experience? UWC comprises of 2 years equivalent to A levels/HSC.
3. Who can apply to UWC? Any student of grade 10 who will be sitting for the O level or SSC public exam in June and is planning to go to a UWC in the upcoming August, is eligible to apply.
4. What subjects can I take in UWC? You have to take a first language, a second language, a math at Standard/higher/studies level, a science subject, a humanities and a subject of your choice of field, which can either be arts or any of the fields mentioned above. Subjects will vary from campus to campus. Once selected you can visit the campus website of the respective school for more information.
5. Can I take Math HL (Higher Level) if I have done GCE O Level Pure/Advanced Math in Bangladesh?
Prospective Students
7. What is CAS? CAS stands for Creativity, Action and Service. While at a UWC you must take at least 3 different types of extra-curricular activities that fall under either Creativity, Action or Service. For example, a sport like basketball can be considered Action, Latin American Dance can be considered Creativity, and teaching English at a primary school can be considered Service.
8. Does every selected student get a scholarship? No, every student is not given a scholarship. Since there are limited spaces for scholarship , when there are numerous students with good academic and standing, some of the students lower on the list are selected but they have to cover the whole cost.
9. What kind of food is provided at a UWC? UWC schools always provide with vegetarian and nonvegetarian foods, with supplement like drinks, bread, fruits etc. The foods vary great from campus to campus depending on their location. You can talk to your second year or any alumna/ alumnus for further specific information.
10. How many nationalities are usually represented in a You definitely can. However Math HL is very challenging so UWC? it is suggested that you initially take 4 HL subjects (including Math HL) so that you can drop to SL (Standard Level) any time Almost about 70 – 90 depending on the campus you find it necessary. Otherwise after a month of a semester when you are comfortable with Math HL, you can drop another subject to SL You are required to take at least 3 HL subjects and 3 standard level subjects.
Studies at the UWC will include things like individual/group presentations, short papers to write, oral exams, interactive activities/simulations, detailed lab reports all of which you will be given instructions about before assigned.
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6. How different are the studies in UWC from the studies in Bangladesh?
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ALBUM Farewell dinner for new students 2015
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Farewell dinner for new students 2014
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UWC candidates at the group workshop for selection in 2015
UWC alumni with President of UWC Society for Bangladesh at UWC 2015
UWC alumni at farewell dinner for new students 2015
UWC alumni volunteers at the group workshop for selection
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Bangladeshi students at UWC Atlantic
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