THINK Global School Yearbook 2012-2013 by THINK Global School

THINK GLOBAL SCHOOL YEARBOOK

2012/2013

Gawa and Yosel arriving in Bhutan, January 2013

Find your way around although we encourage exploring and getting lost.

Page 3 STUDENT PROFILE PAGES 11 grade 4 22 10 grade 32 9 grade 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 51 54 56 58 62 66 68 72 74 75 78 80

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Living & Learning in Buenos Aires Lessons from La Biela Recoleta Cemetery Sight seeing in Buenos Aires TGS dances tango Bird watching excursion All Blacks rugby match St. Xavier host school interactions Halloween Party St. Thomas field day Colonia, Uruguay Football & the Argentine Identity Iguazu National Park Isaac & Alejandro’s water bottle exhibition Lice Epidemic Estancia Candelaria She eats dog Argentinian Bubbles

82 BHUTAN: 84 GNH - Gross National Happiness 86 Where I grew up 92 Interview with myself 98 Archery - a heritage sport 100 Student videos from Bhutan 104 Bubbles from Bhutan

Page 106 BOSTON: 108 Freedom trail tour 109 Boston model, United Nations 110 The power of a song 112 Reflections from the Marathon bombing 114 TGS goes boxing 115 Remember when 116 Baseball night at Fenway Park 120 Letting lose in Cape Cod 121 Battleship overnight 126 Beny’s BBQ 128 First time skiing 129 Snow day in the park 130 A weekend in the wild 134 Film Fest 136 Guest speakers 137 End of year dinner 138 VISITING WASHINGTON: 142 Don’t stand by. Stand up! 144 North Korea 146 Guest speaker, Prince Reza Pahlavi 148 Hirshor Art Museum 150 The Holocaust Memorials 151 Washington inspired photography 154 Maybe I can get my picture up there 156 Why Mexico is not free 158 VISITING NEW YORK 160 Poetry Slam with Taylor Mali 165 Model United Nations conference 166 The Great Gatsby party 172 9/11 Memorial 173 Life of Muslims in New York after 9/11 174 Retro Dinner on Time Square 175 Beast of the Southern Wild 176 Museum of Mathematics 178 American Bubbles 181 182 184 186 188 189 193 194

Anat’s guide to hugging TGS teachers The TGS office On-site coordinators and Resident Life Friends we say goodbye to Five years from now From where I sit The school year by Alun Cooper, Head of School

4 5

I think that this year TGS has turned me into a working machine, pumping out IB grade papers. This school has made me an open-minded individual who has an ever-increasing hunger to explore the world. The school has taught me to speak out and question authority. Thank you, TGS. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve given me something that no other school could.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I opened my mind to new cultures that to me seemed extraordinary.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

This year showed me how much I can push myself and what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m capable of. It motivated me to work to my fullest and survive the first year of IB. It opened my mind to a lot of things, especially our meetings with the Shah of Iran, Noam Chomsky and Greg Simon. I learned how important questions can be.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

TANTAN

Best experience this year: The trip to Bhutan. Everything about the trip was amazing.

Arizona Arnold Palmer Half-and-Half Iced Tea

nickname: Guille Birthday: May 21, 1996 Interests: Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, Exploring One word that describes me: Unorthodox One item represents me: A 99 cents can of

New York and DC. They opened my mind to acceptance and open-minded experience.

One event that opened my mind:

MY MOM, music, cultures, my country, perfume and I love Irene. She is just amazing. One word that describes me: Sociable One item represents me: Hairbrush Best experience this year: Chewonki, DC

Interests: Eating, eating and eating.

Birthday: OCTOBER 21, 1996

Nickname:

6 7

Learning how to pray to the Buddha in Bhutan

One event that opened my mind:

Falling in love with Bhutan

Best experience this year:

Coffee machine

One item represents me:

Adventurous

One word that describes me:

writing

Nickname: KEDZLIE Birthday: October 24, 1996 Interests: Running, reading and

I have had a numerous amount of great experiences this year. The best from Argentina would either be the Garganta Del Diablo or going to Recoleta Cemetery for English and TOK class. The best of the Boston trimester would be New York.

Best experience this year:

12, 1996 Interests: Futbol, Game of Thrones One word that describes me: Inquisitive One item represents me: A Wristband

Birthday: July

I think I’ve grown more in this year of TGS than in any other, not only personally but in my experiences with others. I feel like I’ve finally found a bit more of myself, which feels really empowering. I’ve also experienced so much more: dealing with a different kind of homesickness, a starkly new culture (Bhutan) and the stress/ pressure of college looming upon the 11th graders. All these experiences and many, many more have helped me learn and grow as a human being in the TGS and global community.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I became better with time management in Boston.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I became more open to people with weird diets like the raw-food diet. At first I thought that it was just another weird diet that was a bit too extreme but one of the students gave a presentation on it and I must say that I was impressed. I myself wouldn’t mind trying it for a couple weeks.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

8 9

Prioritization. This simple noun can apply to many things, whether that is school work or anything you may hold dear to you. Knowing what to prioritize and put before yourself is the best way you can go about living.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I went to a store wanting to buy 3 roses. However, the store only sold the roses in dozens. Determined to get my roses, I bought the dozen and handed out the extra 9 to random women I saw around the store. This simple act truly showed me just how amazing giving without expectations of something in return can feel.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

don’t have enough space to write 1% of the answer… TGS has changed my understanding of people and the world around me. It has changed my views on relationships and how to treat them. Now I care about other places in the world as if they were my home country. I can tell someone who’s not in my family that I love them and actually mean it. I am not saying that I lied before, but after being in TGS, I’m not sure what I had for others outside my family really did the feeling justice.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME: I

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

Anat is a very touchy person and I’m not really used to that, but I am extremely thankful for this playful/painful relationship because it made me a lot more open to “touchiness.” It is somehow correlated with playfulness and it made me a lot less stiff. Thanks, babe :)

In Bhutan I felt really clean and pure. The nature was beautiful. Reuniting with New York made me fall in love with the city all over again. Washington, DC was extremely inspirational and a new experience. This year brought me closer to a lot of new and old growing loves. BEST EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR:

Nickname: sasquatch Birthday: may 10, 1996 Interests: Guitar, Sports, Contemplating life’s big questions One word that describes me: Exuberant One item represents me: An egg Best experience this year: Going to the Iguazú falls with people I truly love. It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life, so much so that it put tears to my eyes.

Issues, World cultures, TV Shows, Reading, Writing, Volleyball, Defying Social Norms, Music, Friendship, Football, Camping, Hiking, Running One word that describes me: Radiant One item represents me: A massive SpongeBob SquarePants costume with old movie tickets pouring off the bottom

Beny

Nickname: Birthday: March 21, 1996 Interests: Acting, Movies, Environmental

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This school year has also made me an open-minded person WHO has an ever-increasing hunger to explore the world. The school has taught me to speak out and question authority.

This school year has made me become a lot more efficient and taught me time management skills. In Argentina I was pumping out IB grade papers in the day and doing homework at night until 2 - 3am, only getting about 3 hours of sleep. In Boston I’ve managed to change things around and do (the majority of) my homework on time, which allows me to go to bed a lot earlier!

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Planning my trip to New York, and trying to stick to my plan, taught me to be open to-- and accept changes -- and be able to quickly react on them.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned where my comfort zone is and I learned how to step out of that zone. I’m more aware of my weird quirks and I’ve learned how to accept them. I’ve learned how to be independent but I’ve also learned that it’s okay to depend on others. I’ve learned how to be aware of others and I’ve learned how to compromise and how to be fair. I’ve learned sacrifice. I’ve learned to be myself.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I think that Bhutan and Chewonki opened my mind to appreciation. When we went in January, it was very cold in the high altitude. I learned how to make fire and slept in my winter jacket to stay warm. In Chewonki it rained the entire weekend so my shoes were wet and I got really cold! I realized that even the tiniest things make a difference and we often take those things for granted, like warm socks! …and I definitely appreciate warmth so much more now!

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

CAMPING IN chewonki, Maine

Best experience this year:

FIVE-TOE SHOE

One item represents me:

DETERMINATION

One word that describes me:

Interests: Cars, Piano & gummibears

Birthday: April 3, 1996

Nickname: CASH

playing piano and movies, fluffy animals, but elephants are my favorite! One word that describes me: Daydreamer One item represents me: Snow globe Best experience this year: I loved Iguazu Falls, Uruguay and Estancia. Bhutan was an amazing experience. Washington, DC and New York were great, and I absolutely loved Chewonki! I can’t choose!

Nickname: LULU Birthday: June 19, 1996 Interests: Music, yoga, dance, reading,

12 13

TGS also opened my eyes to the fact that Thailand is not the most ideal place on earth, and despite its poor school system and corrupt government, it’s still my pride and there’s hope for my country. If enough people have faith in change, it can become a land of respect and not only nice, smiling people and one-night stands. I have faith.

TGS has taught me that there’s no poison in having a calculating mind, a feeling heart and a voice that cannot be ignored.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Chewonki, although it wasn’t the cleanest experience. Being a small group and going through tough conditions together. And learning that a small brownie and hot chocolate can be quite a luxury.

Best experience this year:

Contemplative

One word that describes me:

dancing, singing. community service and teaching English to Thai students.

Nickname: Master Yoda Birthday: September 19, 1997 Interests: Painting, drawing, writing,

THE TALK WITH PRINCE REZA

One event that opened my mind:

RESEARCHING ABOUT THE LIFE OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN NYC

One word that describes me: AMBITIOUS One item represents me: FORK Best experience this year: STUDYING AND

ROWING, HIKING, RUNNING AND WATCHING THE BIG BANG THEORY

Nickname: MJ Birthday: MARCH 30, 1995 Interests: SWIMMING, KAYAKING,

Bhutan taught me that good grades, materialism and numbers aren’t happiness. Happiness can lie in the eyes and the smiles of those who many deem desolated and deprived.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

EVERY DAY IS A DIFFERENT DAY AT TGS AND SOMETIMES IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO REFLECT ON MY EXPERIENCES BECAUSE I AM AFRAID I WILL LEAVE SOMETHING OUT. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, I HAVE COME TO DEVELOP PASSION FOR SO MANY THINGS THAT I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED BEFORE: ROWING AND KAYAKING ARE TWO OF THOSE. IN BOSTON, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A LOCAL ROWING TEAM FOR THEIR SPRING SEASON AND THAT WAS PRETTY AMAZING. NOT ONLY WAS I ABLE TO MAKE FRIENDS IN THE CITY BUT I WAS ALSO ABLE TO DEVELOP A STRONGER CONNECTION WITH THE CITY I LIVED IN.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

14 15

In the words of the foremost intellectual of our generation, my good friend, Charis Smuthkochorn, the most dramatic shift in my psyche is that I have “mellowed out.”

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

While the rest of the school was enjoying themselves in Bhutan, I was home recovering from a back injury. Despite having spent two weeks camping together, hiking and visiting monasteries while I was wandering around my house, I’m pretty sure most of them still think I went. Whether it was the various do-you-remembers or remember-whens that I got over the next few weeks, I soon realized that maybe I’m not as important as I think.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

My time- and stress-management skills really improved. And I have made the choice that friendships and my happiness come before certain “practical” goals. I have also become a lot more critical of things through the IB classes and constant questioning of things that has also led me to realize, once again, how little I know.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

My perception of America was based on consumerism and materialism. I thought about the value for independence and how that conflicted with my ideas coming from a collectivist Asian culture. Then I heard local Bostonians talk about the Boston explosions. And I realized that although we may say that America’s giving other people a hard time, they’re getting a hard time too. This was their world, and although I should be critical, I had to see through their eyes.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

Benjamin’s in New York with James, Stefan and others

One word that describes me: Messiah One item represents me: Wag-bag Best experience this year: Dinner at

diving, cooking, reading and breaking the status quo

Nickname: Alex Birthday: November 6, 1996 Interests: Piano, karate, flying, skiing,

Best experience this year: My birthday in Bhutan, visiting Temples and walking along the river. At night Liam picked me up and spun me around. It was amazing being in an unfamiliar altitude.

Birthday: JANUARY 10, 1997 Interests: singing, music, reading, running, swimming, traveling, songwriting, watching people One word that describes me: confused One item represents me: compass that doesn’t work conventionally

16 17

I don’t think I have ever grown so much in such little time. Three years at TGS have surely changed me in so many ways. I am more selfaware, I care more about others, I gained great traveling skills and, most importantly, I learned how to think.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

You are learning something new each day that opens your mind to something new and different.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

I suppose what this year has taught me most is to get out there. Things won’t happen if you wait for them. This year has changed me so that I’m not afraid to go out and take any opportunity that presents itself. This year has changed me so that I’m now no longer afraid of what happens after school. I now know that nothing will happen unless I make it happen.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

When wandering around New York and we had complete freedom, I realized that I could do anything I wanted to as long as I went out and took the opportunity and didn’t wait for it to come to me.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

weXplore trips to Estancia, Uruguay, Maine and in Bhutan

One item represents me: FOOTBALL Best experience this year: Bonding at the

Interests: football, camping, hiking, running One word that describes me: Buddhist

Birthday: MAY 17, 1996

Nickname: P-DAWG

Birthday: June 7, 1996 Interests: Anything and everything. I’m not at one place long enough to practice anything. I’m willing to try everything. One word that describes me: DETERMINATION One item represents me: An ice cream scoop Best experience this year: being given free run of New York for a week

18 19

I learned to balance a lot of things in my life and realized that there is time for everything, You just have to have a strong desire. TGS is continuing to teach us to think by letting us learn from our experiences, and we can see the enormous change in every one of us. We were finally able to explore the host city on our own, which hugely contributed to our integration into the culture. This was another awesome year at TGS.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

The Guarani community in Argentina and the level of globalization. I was seriously worried that there are no untouched places left on the planet, but I was happy to see the preserved culture in Bhutan, and be one of the lucky few to experience it.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

I have realized that it is harder than I thought to balance work, adventure and everything else one wants to do. I also realized how important it is to just be alone when I am stressed.

This year has made me more resistant to stress because I have had a lot on my plate.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I think the entire Bhutan experience opened my mind to a way of living I have never seen before. It is very different from what I am used to and have seen with TGS.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

Arriving in Bhutan. I can still remember getting out of the airplane and the feeling of bliss as we felt the crisp air after a bumpy ride.

BEST EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR:

mark

nickname: Birthday: january 24, 1996 Interests: Photography, filmmaking, music, biking, running, tweeting, skiing, traveling, exploring One word that describes me: Photography One item represents me: a bottle of vodka Best experience this year: Rooming with Willem

Multidimensional One item represents me: Camera

One word that describes me:

it is one of the things I do to calm myself. I also like  reading, walking. And food..! O

Nickname: Papaya Birthday: February 16, 1996 Interests: I love photography, and

20 21

It's hard to say how this has changed me, and as with everything that I've experienced at TGS, I don't think I'll fully appreciate what kind of an impact experiences such as these have had on me until later in my life when hindsight has graced me with its wisdom.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Getting a telling-off by the waitress in Santos (Argentina) because I was accidentally stirring my mate (tea) very vigorously. This means that A: the tea is horrible or B: you are insulting those who made the tea! I feltabsolutely terrible. (I wouldn't say this was my best experience of the year, but it was something I had never imagined happening to me.) Other memorable moments include: waking up at dawn in the depths of the Boston winter to stand on the frozen Charles River and watch the sunrise before breakfast. And hiking up to The Tiger's Nest in Bhutan. Can you believe this is the kind of stuff that makes up a high schooler's yearbook? Yeah, neither can I.

BEST EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR:

I’m a very indecisive person, but I’ve realized that I need to make decisions. If you don’t make them it only leads to unhappiness and regret. Someone wise told me that you have to make decisions and then you never look back because there will always be a “what if.”

This school year has changed me a lot. My definition of a friend has changed. After having friends like I do at TGS, I don’t think I could ever go back to my old definition.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Realizing where I’m from. After listening to all of my classmates, I really understood how different our childhoods and backgrounds are.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

really)

The grandiosity of Iguazu. I always knew nature was amazing, but I just didn't realize how powerful and vast it could really be.

One event that opened my mind:

One item represents me: Sunshine and cats

and smiling.

Interests: ANYTHING creative. Being outdoors

Birthday: September 3, 1995

Nickname: Kiwi-cat

Falls for the first time with Pemzie. and The last day in Bhutan (Blue bus cool bus!) where we started flying over the Himalayas, then hiked to The Tiger’s Nest and ended the day with a goodbye dinner and bonfire.

Best experience this year: Seeing the Iguazú

One word that describes me: Sweet (but not

Traveling and Friends

Nickname: Greenie or Emita Birthday: September 22, 1995 Interests: Laughing, Pilates, Fruit,

22 23

T his has been my first year at TGS and it has changed me a lot. From the incre ased amou nt of school work to being away from home to exploring citie s. I think it has all changed me and helped me grow .

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

T he Bhut an and Chew onki Trips

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

One item represents me: Film camera Best experience this year: “Emerica Wild in the Stre ets” Skat e Even t in Buen os Aires

Interests: Football, Cycling, Music, Phot ogra phy, Runn ing, Brea t hing One word that describes me: Sarc astic

Nickname: JOS E, PEPE Birthday: Sept ember 8, 1996

New York with TGS. We wrote and performed Slam Poetry at The Gotham Comedy Club, and I learned I have a knack for writing and performing. It’s a skill I’ll take with me throughout my life. Everyone showed courage and determination when sharing personal things. It made me really happy.

Best experience this year: Visiting

One item represents me: Diamond

One word that describes me: Enigma

dancing, acting, zombies

26, 1997

Interests: Gymnastics,

Birthday: April

Nickname: Summer

24 25

I’ve changed, but I don’t really know how. Ask me next year!

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Being in Bhutan opened my mind to an entirely different culture. I have traveled around Asia all my life, but Bhutan was definitely the country least affected by Westernization. It was great!

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

One word that describes me: Interested

Interests: Skateboarding, Filming, Editing, Cooking, Looking Good, Capitalizing Each Word, Longboarding, Eating, Being Happy, Wearing Hats, Being A Hater, Hudson, Ale, Brushing My Teeth, Painting, Sculpting, Relaxing, Being Outdoors, Collecting Quarters For Laundry, Being A Great Student, Traveling, Writing Love Letters, Writing Love Letters To Hudson, Skimboarding, Hiking, Photography, Photoshopping, Watching People, Watching Skateboarders, Sailing and Drinking Water

Birthday: JULY 1, 1996

ISuck

Best experience this year: I’ve had many best experiences. Just when I think “this is my new favorite experience,” something awesome happens.

One item represents me: Pink hair dye

Interests: Sleeping, eating, laughing, reading, arguing, singing, theater, having fun One word that describes me: Wisdomous

Birthday: OCTOBER 31, 1997

Nickname:

My biggest challenge has been meeting other people. Balancing the workload was pretty hard, and it made it harder to go out and meet others.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

"Wild in the Streets" Skateboard demo by Emerica in Buenos Aires

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

My dad’s house

ONE ITEM REPRESENTS ME:

Nickname:

26 27

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned that alone time is extremely important and that my body can run on tea.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

The Vasu Kulkarni in New York City made me question my future and decision-making. I learned that making my life is not really making anything but being free.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

Spending time with TGS in Bhutan and feeling attached to a culture too distant to my own

BEST EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR:

I think that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned in general this year that nothing gets easier. You just have to become better at doing it. This especially goes for homesickness, weird accents and time management.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

I believe that reading all those articles about how Indigenous people are treated in Argentina and visiting the Guarani Tribe made it sink into me how easily governments sometimes take Indigenous rights.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

11, 1996

ALE

One item represents me: Sharpie

One word that describes me: free

Interests: Slacklining, Running, Eating Chocolate, Photography, Drawing, Brushing my teeth, Reading, Sharing

Birthday: AUGUST 22, 1996

Nickname:

Best experience this year: Turning 17 in New York, running in Central Park, visiting the land of the thunder dragon, and constantly being surrounded by great people (hint: you guys).

One item represents me: camera

One word that describes me: Goofy

Interests: Jumping out of random spaces and scaring people. Except for that: photography and running.

Birthday: MAY

LI-SASS, L-CAT

Nickname: DOUBLE I, SWEDIE,

28 29

Chewonki has helped me realize that no matter how physically uncomfortable you might be, it’s all in the mind, and if you can find

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND: Our trip to

One word that describes me: Chill the little things that can make you One item represents me: Sunflower laugh, you’re happy and Best experience this year: New York it just doesn’t matter.

Interests: Tennis, Soccer, Ukulele, Guitar, Chillin’, Laughing

Birthday: JULY 4, 1996

GAWATERMELON

BEST experience this year: TEDx Teen NYC 2013

One item represents me: camera

One word that describes me: Overthinker

Interests: Photography, Reading, Running, Slam poetry, Brunch

Birthday: SEPTEMBER 18, 1996

Nickname:

This school year has given me the time and space to acquire a skill that I have long desired to have. I’ve finally learned how to manage my time, and I am very thankful for this skill as I have been getting a lot more sleep this term than I usually do.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

With the conquering of writer’s block and my discovery of slam, I have an inkling that I’ve just begun to understand how to put everything I see and hate into words.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

The Boston Marathon bombing and the media frenzy around it taught me a lot about the single story that the media tells, The attention one event gets over another, and the assumptions and stereotypes that are still very present in American society.

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

30 31

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

The way I appreciate things has changed. Back home, I thought I appreciated things, but traveling gives you other perspectives and you realize some things and chances are a luxury for people. It has changed my perspective and the way I value everything a lot more.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Reading about Palestine and the conflict with Israel was pretty interesting for me having an inner perspective coming from Anat. It showed me that we don’t know much and rely a lot on what the media tells us.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

While in Maine with Chewonki, I began to appreciate nature even more, and it was some of the most beautiful that I have ever seen. Unplugging let me get in touch with my spiritual side and helped me understand myself so much.

HUDSWAG

MELI

Chewonki. Both times we had no tech and were being ourselves and just living.

Best experience this year: Bhutan and

One item represents me: a Glide r

One word that describes me: Strong

walks by myself and think when I’m stressed, going to Church. I love laughing, and seeing people smile makes me happy.

Interests: I like to fly, have long

Birthday: DECEMBER 3

Nickname:

Best experience this year: In Buenos Aires, I encountered an elderly woman and young man playing music on a guitar and makeshift drumset made from recycled objects. Watching them laugh, play the crowd and enjoy the music had me smiling for weeks.

One item represents me: Airhorn

One word that describes me: Ham

Interests: Music, Photography, Lacrosse, Soccer

Birthday: AUGUST 31, 1997

Nickname:

32 33

I have become more mature and independent. I think through things differently and have a different attitude. I realized I really like to help people. I am also a stress case...

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

CAMI

Best experience this year: Zombie Run, Road trip with Grade 9, Garvey and Ambika

One item represents me: Marzipan

One word that describes me: German

Interests: Soccer, Math, Science, Chess, Longboarding, Rollerblading, Cycling, Ice Cream, Politic s, News

PAULY

Nickname: Birthday: MAY 24, 1998

the times Sydney, Hannah, Gawa and I were lying on our floor eating and trying to talk but just laughing instead.

Best experience this year: My best experience is all

One item represents me: Ring

One word that describes me: Cami

take naps

Interests: I love to dance, take photos, snack and

Birthday: JANUARY 28, 1998

Nickname:

I simply grew a lot, both physically and mentally.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

T he trip to the Waterfalls of Ig uazu changed my conception of tourism completely

AN EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

34 35

It has made me a more understanding individual with insight to many different cultures and traditions. It has also made me realize that we have been taking so much from the world that it is now time to give back. Family, friends and home matter more than anything.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

Wagging in a wag bag

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

photography,

One item represents me:

Best experience this year: Snowboarding

One item represents me: An ivory phallus

One word that describes me: Gangtu

Interests: Soccer, Food, Workouts, Abs, Happiness, Fitness

iPhone

One word that describes me: Loud

make-up art

Interests: Music,

12, 1997

TEAM TEAM Birthday: DECEMBER

Nickname:

KOOLOOK Birthday: APRIL 8, 1997

Nickname:

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME: It’s crazy how much a person can change in 10 months. I changed both physically and mentally. I became much more responsible and open-minded. I went to so many different places, assisted in very inspiring talks and learned from people.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND: Chewonki was something very different and away from “civilization” with no tech or internet. I got to enjoy the wild and realized how many things I can miss by being on my phone.

The Zombie Run with the 9th grade, Mr. Garvey and Ambika. My favorite parts were falling down the rope and having a dozen people laughing and then getting chased by zombies as they took my 3 flags. I still got a survivor medal!

BEST EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR:

36 37

Always for the better

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

The first volunteering opportunity we had in Argentina really opened my mind to what TGS could be doing in the future.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

TGS has taught me how I can become a better person and how I can make the world a better place for everyone through the opportunities to meet many people and hear their stories about life through several locations.

HOW THIS SCHOOL YEAR CHANGED ME:

When we explored Iguazu Falls, I noticed how poorly many people treated the environment and how much we all take things for granted. My eyes were opened to how we treat the Earth and life in general.

ONE EVENT THAT OPENED MY MIND:

SYD

TIANA

Chinatown in New York or walking around the city of Buenos Aires with the cafĂŠs and alfajores

Best experience this year: Going to

One item represents me: Tangerine

One word that describes me: Quirky

Interests: I like to read, cook and eat

Birthday: NOVEMBER 7, 1996

Nickname:

Best experience this year: Reaching The Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest during our Bhutan intersession was the absolute best experience.

One item represents me: fire

One word that describes me: Curious

Interests: I really enjoy listening to music and reading, but lately I have started doing a lot of blogging and I really enjoy that. Not to mention I go running and doodle/cartoons in my free time.

Birthday: SEPTEMBER 14, 1997

Nickname:

BUENOS AIRES > SEPTEMBER 1 > DECEMBER 16 > 2012 >>>

Buenos Aires, Argentina, served as our home for the fall 2012 term. The city welcomed us with endless opportunities to practice Spanish over coffee and medialunas (croissants) or, more appropriately, while sipping maté through a bombilla and sharing it with friends in one the city’s grassy parks. Buenos Aires’ wealth of unique barrios (neighborhoods) provided us with many new sites to see, tastes to linger on, sounds to hear and experiences to learn. 39

Living & Learning in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires provided us with comfortable spaces for both living and learning. Our student residence space was located in the IQ Callao and offered us spacious studio apartments to share, study, sleep and relax in. Our classroom space was a 15-minute walk from an English-language school called the International House. The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big open spaces, the cafĂŠs, artist studios, parks, statues and museums served to bring lessons to life firsthand.

Lessons from La Biela: Borges-style writing, Biomes of Argentina and culture shock video by Nick Martino

Both the teachers and students of the 9th and 10th grade embraced the TGS mottoes of cultural immersion and place-based learning during week two of school. As teachers, in beautiful Recoleta, we are quickly taking advantage of the learning opportunities that are present all around us. After spending a morning outside at La Biela, eating medialunas and drinking coffee, Mr. Austen and I started planning how we could best get our students to enjoy a similar experience. Mr. Austen, in Literature class, decided that he wanted to teach “Funes the Memorious,” one of Jorge Luis Borges’ most well-known stories, to the students in the very place that Borges was probably sitting while writing it. Borges was known for spending his mornings at La Biela writing and pondering the deep questions of Argentine identity, memory and the concept of the infinite. La Biela takes pride in their connection to the Argentine literary giant and has a table set with a statue of him and Adolfo Bioy Casares, another Argentine writer. The students then worked to create their own Borges-style short story, which was presented later.

In Science class, Mr. Garvey had them use their iPhones to research the different biomes of Argentina. The students worked with Mr. Garvey to create the scripts for their tourism videos that will showcase the different regions that Argentina has to offer. They also looked deeper into the sociocultural connection between the land and its inhabitants. The students will be working on these videos throughout this week. La Biela, a café that was popular with some of Argentina’s most famous writers, like Jorge Louis Borges whose replica is sitting in the café (picture above), and Recoleta Cemetery where several wealthy and well-known Argentinians such as Eva Peron are buried.

to understand some of the experiences they were feeling by documenting them under the guise of an assigned video. The tenth grade dove right in and came up with some very original ideas on not only the culture shock that is felt when traveling to another country but also the culture shock of joining a school like TGS.

In Global Studies, the students used the cafe to gain the emic perspective (insiders view) into important cultural events in Argentina. We had been discussing the concept of culture all week and they were asked to apply the terms they learned to our experience at La Biela. The students discussed why drinking coffee in cafés was important and shared ideas on the Porteno concept of time and the European immigrant population that lives here in Buenos Aires. Their task was to go outside of the café and use the Plaza Franzia, the parillas and the cafés in front of the Recoleta Cemetery to make a short video on the phases of culture shock. The ninth graders did an amazing job of tackling difficult terms like ethnocentrism and cultural relativism and were able

Deep and interesting discussions took place among students and faculty – helped by lots of caffeine.

---------

Cementerio - de la -

Recoleta -------------

Buenos Aires - Argentina

RECOLETA – FILLED WITH SILENT SHADOWS By Willem Brikkenaar Van Dijk

..................................... The air is cold, An empty piazza left for the day’s inception.

BORGE’S CAFÉ LA BIELA By Maya Miltell

A mother silenced by her children, A family brought together by death.

..................................... Warm reflections in chessboard marble, as the sun casts its vivid rays of life on a town of cold. Streets, alleys and avenues in patterns of the metropolitan outside, weaves the beds into a fabric of stone and pavement, with gleaming beads of petals. Street numbers in words, and importance in flowers, the lifeless houses have a tangible culture of quiet. A city within a city, a Latino Vatican of spirits. A ghost town we visit to long for the future, and to escape the present still playing its perpetual movie behind the walls dividing dead spirits and ghosts. 44

Little lions protect these streets, They keep it clean and lively.

Translating Eva Peron's tomb

Even with these guardians there is shattered glass.

FATE by Bailey Dobier

An abandoned stack of stones, A withered rose. Empty spaces longing for a victim, Who longs for sleep.

..................................... Confined to the unavoidable fate of two dates and one name

A trickle of water to cleanse the tiles below.

We are born of the dust that conveys life into death becoming ashes in boxes, leaving hearts broken by fate, cut through by reality and caught in a losing battle between the infinite passage of time and the inevitable fading of memories.

A boarded-up memory, Because the pain is too hard to face. A humble companion, With his master for good. This place, Hidden behind the white basilica.

Willem and David admire the mausoleums

Hop on. Hop off. Sightseeing in Buenos Aires

“trust me. you really don’t want me to guide you…?”

People dance tango on public squares Louisa, Charis and A’ntonia ready for a new city and a new school year.

Dos hombres marking their new territory

Mate, the Argentinian “tea” that you drink from your personal cup with a special straw. The three Argentinian musketeers, Alex, Liam and jawed.

Yossefa is being seduced by experience.

TGS TANGOS INTO ARGENTINIAN CULTURE BY MONIQUE

It’s like a cheat sheet.

The history of the tango starts along the banks of Rio de La Plata, in the backstreet milongas of poorer communities surrounding Buenos Aires in the late nineteenth century. In the early years of tango’s innovation, men would often gather together to practice with one another in an effort to become a better dancer and, thusly, attract the admiration of women. It is a silent conversation of passion and seduction between the dancers with voluptuous movements exuding machismo that are set to music and lyrics having an air of melancholy and nostalgia. Tango offered an escape from a harsh, hard-working reality. The dance grew in popularity

Do you dance with your hands???

I’m not touching her...

as it reached Europe and worldwide audience, continuing to change with various cultural influences. However, it has always remained the story of a porteño at its heart, telling Argentina’s history through its own history. Tango was a large part of the Buenos Aires term. Attending tango dances gave students and staff an introduction to a major aspect of Argentina identity, and the chance to take tango lessons saw several students taking weekly classes. Even sidewalks had step-by-step instructions with foot placements for how to perform tango moves!

All right, kids, this is how it’s done.

Double high-five.

Birds Fly South for the Winter By Monique Lefebvre

Springtime in Argentina proves the saying that “birds fly south for the winter.” That time of year not only sees warmer temperatures and afternoon showers refilling countryside waterholes but also the return of hundreds of various avian species from across the Americas. It was prime time for local bird fanatics to get outside and seek out these magnificent species. Luckily for TGS, we made an excellent friend in David Thompson. Mr. Thompson is the Director at the English school where we held our classes while in Buenos Aires. Mr. Thompson is an avid birdwatcher and lover with an extensive knowledge of the various species that can be found within Argentina. In late October, he was kind enough to extend an invitation to a small amount of TGS students to join him and his bird-watching group on a day out in the Argentinian countryside. Students were chosen by names drawn out of a hat as there was a great interest in attending such a unique event.

Saturday morning, the 20th, Linhan, Yuan Yuan, Paul, Tiana, Maya, Maya’s father, and myself piled into cars bright and early to drive the 110 km southeast of Buenos Aires. Arriving at an area of fields where giant hares ran around and Burrowing Owls sat on fence posts, we were welcomed into the country home of Sylvia de Vitel. The morning was spent at an area known as El Estancia Espartillar, an expansive ranch land that draws a multitude of birds because of its plentiful food and water sources. Here, we were able to see a White-Tailed Kite, along with wild Monk Parakeets and Cattle Egrets. Along the drive, numerous Fork-Tailed Flycatchers and Chimango Caracaras sat along roadside fencing looking for their next meal.

We returned to Sylvia’s house for a leisurely afternoon potluckstyle picnic outside around a huge communal table before setting out to walk along the ponds and waterways. The area, known as Lago Vitel, has been vastly untouched despite having several houses scattered about. The natural land has drawn in a multitude of species and we were able to see several Vermilion Flycatchers, the males being easy to spot with their bright red plumage. Along the waterways, we spotted two Great Kiskadees sitting in the bushes and a large grouping of Roseate Spoonbills. We even saw the world’s largest rodent, the Capybara! From a distance, we saw it moving into the water in search of food. It was similar in size to a medium-sized dog and looks like a giant guinea pig. Before leaving, there was an abundance of Burrowing Owls keeping a curious eye on us as we walked along the fields to return to Sylvia’s home, speaking at length about everything we had absorbed that day.

L A OS PUMA N I T N E G S AR • • VS • •

AND ALL BLAC L A E Z KS EW

MY LIFE IS COMPLETE BY MEGAN KEDZLIE

At this point in time, I think I pretty much owe my entire life to Joann McPike. Not only did she start up TGS, which did change my life forever, she was able to get me to an All Blacks game. Not even just an All Blacks game, but the final of the Rugby Championship, versus the Los Pumas, at La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Being born and raised in little old Wellington, New Zealand, I grew up with the whole “rugby is everything and the most important sport” sort of mentality in my country. The girls could play netball and tennis; the boys played rugby. And everyone cheered on the All Blacks. It didn’t matter if you were old or young, man or woman, rich or poor. Everybody cheers on the All Blacks. This also gets much more passionate when you begin to travel. I was never as nationalist as I am after traveling away from New Zealand for three years.

I don’t think that any of my friends had understood that I was that excited about this until we got to the stadium, and you could say I went into a state of shock. Everyone else was screaming and shouting and pumped, and I was trying to get my head around the fact that I was going to see the All Blacks at La Plata for the Rugby Championship Cup. This was the game that my Dad had joked about me going to after he found that it was sold out. And I was there. In Row 5. Watching Dan Carter and Richie McCaw and Piri Weepu practicing literally 20 meters away. You could say I was definitely in a state of shock. There is no way that I am going to ever forget this experience: the crowd, the hype, the noise, the game. It definitely was a perfect game! I will remember this forever!

St. Xavier Host School Interactions S

aint Xavier’s College, located in the nearby neighborhood of Palermo, served as our Host school during our semester in Buenos Aires. Saint Xavier welcomed us to their country and opened their doors. They shared with us their space for a “Meet and Greet” event, for our science labs, as well as a Bingo charity night! During these events, students were able to interact with Host school students and their families, raise awareness for the Wrists4Rights cause and enjoy the Argentinian tradition of empanadas. St. Xavier students also came to the TGS Halloween dance party.

Halloween 56

St. Thomas Field Day On Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national holiday, A Day of Respect for Cultural Differences, TGS students and staff boarded a bus and headed to a country club known as Saint Thomas for a day off from classes. Some students and staff played a pick-up football game against another group of local students from Saint Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school, winning with a score of 12-10 after a long, wet and muddy battle. Others joined in to learn a dance choreographed by Ms. Reynolds and Becca. Still others were content to take their day of relaxation and spent time skateboarding, playing tennis, or practicing golf. That afternoon we enjoyed a massive asado, an Argentinian-style barbecue, with varied grilled meats and veggies to choose from before a delicious dessert. Despite the rain that day, it was relaxing and a great way to celebrate a national holiday.

Colonia

When I walk through the streets, I see faces of people who are seeing me. I forget my home, or my school, and I watch. Through watching, I see the little cafés, with men old and young talking and debating over mate and mediaslunas. They talk and talk and eat and laugh and joke and sing and there is no issue or debate of time and appointments. This is the way life is supposed to be. We aren’t supposed to crumple to the restraints of “life” and “problems” and “commitments.” Those people, without their ties, walk easy and free and happy and wonderous. Where we complain about time and homework and sleeping and “free time,” they are debating about life and friends and memories of lost childhoods where everyone was equal and there were no worries. How did we forget to do that? How did we forget to enjoy life? Colonia, my little town on the sea, as glittering as the sea around it. Cobblestones that cobble my heart into little pieces. Cornerstores which corner me into myself, ashamed of how I have become so negligent to the excitement and amazement of life and being alive. I let the city flow over me. I let the ease, and the calm, and the breeze flow through my hair and into my ears and along my veins: Megan

s orie Mem Our____ n of ____ Tow____ The ____ ____ ________ The first impression of the old historic town is the beauty of the sun shining down with few clouds in sight. The heat, rare in Buenos Aires, is hidden behind a cool breeze that flows through the trees. The town, with a population of 22,000 people, is quiet as we walk through the cracked cobblestone street admiring the small buildings with withered pastel paint. Some filled with ostentatious relics for tourists while others are quiet with broken windows, abandoned rooms and colorful graffiti painted over the fading walls. From the top of the lighthouse the old stonewall can be seen with the rich grass growing around it, and the boats stationed at the harbor look small compared to the view of the whole town. The tall green trees steal attention away as we explore the remnants of this region. The sunset, visible from across the town, covers the sky with blue, pink, orange and yellow and reflects off the still water at the beach. As the day ends, Uruguayans relax at the beach with books, friends and guitars. The music replaces the quiet and the scenery is almost fictional. The water is calm as the boat back to Buenos Aires pushes its way through, and our home of two days gets smaller as we look back. Colonia, the humble town with such effortless beauty, still echoes in our memory.

- Luisa Beirl

My strides were never shorter, quicker, or lighter as they took me around the cobblestoned streets of Colonia del Sacramento. They took me further, into the land of the past, captured me in that romantic momento. Time passes me by, an elastic band stretched through trees blooming of green and civilians living their lives. Waves, currents, deceiving as an ocean but rather a river soothed my heart. Enduring a conflict as an infant, Colonia grew from Spain and Portugal, pulling it from side to side. The moon held no hesitation, playing too, controlling its tides. And now, it holds foreigners of all shapes, sizes and colors. From a small town, it became a small tourist town. The people sell matte cups in the bright blue retro trucks, with alfajores by the side if you order drinks in the restaurant. It never fails to turn your frown upside down. I’ll never find out where “the casual” is. Is the lifestyle simply a life in vacation? In the past perhaps? A weekend disguised the normalities of the population, or maybe we saw it without recognizing it. Colonia is another world, trapped by brown waters swooshing its shores. Through the sun’s rays and the trees blooming, it reflected each colorful door - opening up to yet another courtyard, keeping us wanting more. XOXO Charis

Colonia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A lost memory

By Jawed

The first breeze reminded of Galapagos. The moist in my face Felt like it was summer time, The first night in Thailand came to my mind, Felt like it was summer time, Colonia seemed to be like an island, Had sand all over the place, People were chilling around their houses In peace and harmony, Mates in hands with friends around, Bailey and I on the lighthouse, Our first grand view of the town, Our first grand view of the city, The sun glowing over the river, The lighthouse seems to be the only tall building in the entire Colonia, Every side of the town seems to be a cafĂŠ, It is around 8 at night and I am riding a bike, Got water-bombed by two strangers in a motorbike, Frustrated by the amount of mosquitos around my head, Swore on them, telling them to behave themselves, But they in their teenage hood were not listening to me and rode away, My friends laughing at me, Somehow this is what feels to be how people react to the outsiders in this city, Pushing them away by water-bombing them from behind, The day ends with a dinner in a restaurant by the river, The mosquitos still bothering me, But my chicken sandwich is delicious with chips as a side dish, Quite an experience, A different taste in South American culture. 64

“I don’t care about the sexual orientation of my son,” Juan conclusively interjected, his tone suddenly serious. “Only that he is a fan of River Plate.”

FANATIC FUTBOL FANS By Hannah Cho

Decked out in my red soccer-ball glasses with a season pass in hand, I walked with jittery anticipation into a completely unexpected experience in the walls of El hall del Monumento, home of an Argentine team known as River Plate. We passed three security checkpoints with fingerprint scanning, being patted down and searched and displaying our passes (to massive and intimidating bouncers). As we entered through, a cameraman beckoned to me, gesturing to slip my glasses down; startled, I did so with an uncertain smile. I think I was on national television. Vendors shouting “Coca! Cooocaaaaa! Bebida Coca!” wandered the aisles, while others rumbled, “Panchos! Panchos!” – not a far cry from the bellow of “Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs!” one might hear at a ball game in Fenway Park. Crowds of red and white slowly began pouring into the stadium, and onto the bleachers for the fans of the Home team, River Plate (for which we were also “cheering” – our ticketing agent/advisor, Juan, warned us, “If you cheer for the other team, then all our lives are at risk. That happens...I don’t know you”). Small, albeit LOUD groups of Racing Club fans, donned in blue, filled their sections, squeezed and compact compared to the spaces allotted to hometeam fans, of the stadium. “Tenemos que ganar!” they said. “We have to win.” The game had hardly started before the reality of Argentine football hit me: 1) football is life; and 2) the real entertainment lies not on the field but on the bleachers. Fans screamed Spanish curses (Juan gladly translated) at the opposing team’s fans; many of the curses seemed to heavily refer to the mothers

of fans.”Gangs,” the rowdy bunches from both teams, entered the stadium crying and howling at the tops of their lungs, with drums and whistles (and also one chicken suit). Not so coincidentally, the two gangs were seated at directly opposite sides of the stadium, as far apart from each other as possible. Though separated by barbed-wire fences, about two meters of space and several policemen, members of the gangs still gave the ever so pleasant “finger” and obscene gestures were abound.

shook their fists; this time, however, it was directed not only at Racing’s fans but also at their own team’s coach, the president of Club Atlético River Plate and the referee. Apparently, everyone was to blame. “Luna! Luna! Luna!” River’s fans chanted, begging for the coach to put a crowd-favorite striker, Luna, onto the field. Cheers for Luna slowly turned into angry shouts against River’s coach, Passarella. The fans demanded he be fired (“He’s done. After this game, he’s done,” said Juan) and be replaced with his predecessor, Ramón Díaz. With the score of 1 - 0 in Racing Club’s favor, the match itself, on the field, ended as silently and lackluster as it had started, though the crowds were absolutely mad with passion! Racing’s gang left the stadium first, as a safety precaution, and we were all left to wait and process the absolute mayhem that had just ensued for the past ninety minutes. We sauntered down the stairs, a little giggling here, a little small talk there, when we heard three gun fires ring. Commotion and chaos arose as the crowds turned around and fled back to the stadium. A good while later, we tried once more to exit the stadium. In the lobby of the stadium was a large group of River Plate fans, furious, stomping their feet, roaring and clapping. Encircling the rioters was a police brigade that stood, finally organized. Scan the QR code to see a video of the protests.

The game seemed to pause every few minutes for the medical golf cart to slowly roll onto the field, collect its passenger and tumble back. Halftime came quickly with the score still tied at 0-0. As the second half resumed, the game got more exciting. Racing Club scored, a sly kick straight past River’s keeper, Barovero, and deep into the goal. The drama that ensued after, though, was no comparison to the shock of the score. Fans of both teams screamed and yelled, infuriating the others to no end. Racing Club’s fans sang and

It was, indeed, a true immersion of Argentine culture! Surrounded and submerged in a horde of fanatic fútbol fans, it was nearly impossible not to become one myself, and attach to this wild crowd mentality, singing and shouting along in unison and being, in soul, part of a very own team. That, I believe (from my few moments in an emic perspective), is what being a diehard Argentine football enthusiast is all about.

Parque Nacional Iguazu & Misiones

TGS visited the Iguazu National Park in northern Argentina, and most have said it was one of the most beautiful places they have ever visited. The water fell from a great height and as it reached the body of water below it splashed up and made large amounts of mist that created lovely rainbows and attracted butterflies and small animals from the very-close-by jungle. This experience allowed us to learn about nature, science, and even ourselves, through hiking, climbing, watching, listening, reflecting and appreciating the world around us - Sydney 68

Iguazu: Nature Reserve or Tourist Attraction? By Melissa Medrano

A Visit to the Guarani Tribe

By Fatima Ouhabi

This weekend TGS students and staff had the opportunity to take a trip to Missiones, which is a city in the north of Argentina. The purpose of this excursion was to learn as much as possible about the Guarani culture, explore the jungle and visit the Iguazu waterfalls. Being away from Buenos Aires for a couple of days gave me the opportunity to open my eyes to the world more and see where other people live. We visited a Guarani tribe and it made me realize how much I should be grateful for everything I have and for all the comfort that I live in. Guarani people live in the jungle. Their houses are made from bamboo and other tree branches, which are probably not enough to protect them from the rain or the cold. To survive, they hunt using techniques that they have created using materials that they can afford like tree trunks, leaves, etc. Actually, I was very impressed when the Guarani were explaining step by step what they do to get the animal into the trap; everything was perfectly calculated. In addition, Guarani people are very welcoming and open-minded. They took us around the area where they live, explaining how important it is for them to live as close as possible to the water. Then they invited us for a terrific musical moment with the kids of the village to listen to them sing about the sun and their beliefs.

In 1984, Iguazu National Park was declared by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site and on 11/11/11 was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

It’s one of the most important natural phenomena in the world and one of the regions with more biodiversity because of its subtropical climate and direct access to water with the Rio Iguazu. The area has about 450 species of birds, 80 mammals and myriad different insects, plus about 210 species of plants. Impressive, right? So much nature in one place. However, we are destroying it. Today there is only 7% of the original area. Why? Because despite awareness that it has created in the people caring for the environment, or how I see our home, people see all this nature in a place and think everything is fine. “There is still jungle here” is what goes through your mind when your mind is amazed by the flora, fauna and spectacular waterfalls. And in a way it’s true. There is, but if we want to live, if we want that piece of forest, then we still have to act. We need to create awareness that what we are doing to preserve the ecosystem is not enough and is not enough with the action of a one person but it is something we should all participate in.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Iguazu National Park and saw that most people have the opportunity to visit these wonderful places, where

you should give as much importance as the environment. Rather than going to learn a little more of biodiversity and what’s behind this marvel, they will take pictures and have something to tell their friends when they return home. The only thing they take from this experience is a couple of pictures and not knowledge about the damage they are doing to our planet. And it’s not just because there isn’t available information and good presentations of what is happening. It is because they simply do not give it any importance. People smoke, even knowing that smoking is prohibited. They throw garbage everywhere, which contaminates soil and water. They feed animals junk food, to which the animals are not accustomed, causing illness and a change in their habits. Enough with the damage that Scan the QR code to was done to build the railway, see Northland’s children’s book on Iguazu roads, bridges, restaurants, bathrooms and other amenities that the park offers as well as Brazilians flying helicopters that scare off birds. Today is short, but we can still save what remains. Everything is in our hands. The difference is you.

Back in Argentina, Alejandro and I were

Isaac & Alejandro’s

Water Bottle

ProjecT

lucky enough to be sharing a crib on the fifth floor. There had been lots of great times on that floor. One distinct experience began around early October. We noticed how many bottles we were using, and decided to keep the ones that he and I used each day. Once we noticed how little time it took to get so many bottles, we came up with the idea of this project. After lunches, dinners and study halls, Ale and I would go around collecting everyone’s wasted bottle. For the most part, we had 34 students and three onsite staff members attending all lunches and dinners. Also, we would have two teachers using a bottle for study hall. In short, there were about 37 people consuming 3 water bottles each

weekday. The beautiful part of this project was that there were no walls for us.. We were able to stretch our imaginations however far we wanted. We really just chose to go with the flow with things. For Ale and myself, I feel that we just brought out what we had in mind - in terms of what the end piece will be. The following were our “top of the list” ideas : make a box-room (for viewers to enter and feel bombarded); make waves with the bottles; and build a pyramid. What we decided on was the pyramid. Despite this, while we were presenting the piece, we were again struck by another idea which is what you can see in the photos. During the presentation, we went around asking people to write on scrap paper what they were thinking at that moment. After writing, they would put it in a water bottle; thus, a message in a bottle. After a few hours, we emptied the bottles into a not-so-empty recycling dumpster. In the end, we had collected over 1,300 empty water bottles. This was done over the span of 2.5 months. But, I feel that everyone should know our true water bottle waste footprint. With three bottles per day, per student and onsite staff members, starting at the first of September, and ending at the 16th of December, without including personal drinks and weekends, we had used around a total of 8,550 water bottles.

BY ISAAC

Estancia

La CANDELARIA The Bug’s Life - Lice Epidemic

Estancias, or sprawling estates most commonly used for cattle ranching, are very popular in Argentina. With the country being a large producer of beef, these rural ranches are a part of a rich cultural history. To gain better insight into what an estancia is like, TGS spent a weekend at Estancia La Candelaria. La Candelaria was located 2 hours outside of Buenos Aires and provided plenty of space for a relaxing weekend away. Swimming, biking, exploring, horseback riding, billiards and table tennis, slack lining, pickup soccer games and a late-night campfire are just some of the activities that we took part in while enjoying the space. There were also presentations on gaucho culture, seen through both horsemanship tricks and dances, as well as a polo match to watch.

Unbeknownst to us, Argentina is an “epicenter” for head lice. They are more commonly known here as “los piejos,” and the culture surrounding them is relatively blasé and nonchalant. It seems that the masses deal with them regularly and local pharmacies are well-stocked with head lice treatments and close-toothed combs to pull lice eggs (nits) off hair shafts. Now, try and not scratch your head.... We discovered unwanted visitors present within our boarding house in October and a battle of wills ensued for the duration of the term. I can say that we won eventually as the number of nits present on heads dwindled and, with it, the number of cases overall. Still, the process of seekand-destroy required consistent determination, a sharp eye and weeks’ worth of patience. We had all those qualities in our arsenal and Argentina truly tested our lice-loathing resolve!

Estancia

La CANDELARIA These are poems in the style of José Hernández’s epic about Martín Fierro, a gaucho living on the Argentinian plains, called the pampas. Imitating the same 1-2 stanzas and eight-syllable line format, tenth-grade students wrote their own poems as inspired by Hernández and their own interpretations. Melissa M.

Yuan Yuan K.

Let me just inform you, my friend In a gaucho story, we should say Not only what they convey But what we see and they can feel, How they are from head to their heel And how to God they always pray.

I left them, as they pursued me without any chance to look back at my angels; expressions black. Without a mouse hole to reside I was chased, with nowhere to hide for protection, without a sack.

Riding their horses they will be And Martin Fierro with his song Will make you assume that they’re strong These fellows had lonely souls Yet they do have important roles In Argentina they belong.

Let my resilience be acknowledged to mortals who dare challenge me; rips away what lets me be free and locks it behind iron bars. Under endless blanket of stars, Martin Fierro sings his plea.

Gawa S.

Joseph H.

Beside me he stood then and there, And struck them, the troops of police I made my way hoping for peace Between us, it was robbery Fighting against all poverty Defending his home at the least.

A story of misfortunes told, Family man whose life would unravel Forced to fight, so he did travel But once he returned to his home To discover that he was now alone In nothing could he now revel.

Ferociously one was murdered The one that stepped up to attack The rest backed with courage that lacked Unstoppable, we were the cause And then they left, without a pause Together they left in a pack.

Now alone and a wanted man Into the wilds our hero fled With nothing but the ground for a bed Our gaucho’s misfortunes were played. His legacy forever stayed. His name Martin Fierro it’s said.

Alejandro R.

To the rhythm of my guitar Here I come to sing to a man Whose sentiments we plainly can, Tame with the whistle of a bird Or feel the extremely sad, weird Relief as Martin Fierro ran.

A R G E N T I N A TA X I M E M O I R

“You’ve gotta be careful in Argentina, girl!

It’s not like Cuenca – it’s not nearly as safe. Hell, you’ve gotta keep your bag tucked close, a big thing of pepper spray...and I know what you’re thinking in that cheeky little mind of yours!” Francesca spouted between bites of sashimi and her bento box. “Aunt Fran’s clearly gone crazy,” she rumbled, mimicking my bronchitissuffering voice. Clearing her throat, she looked me straight in the eyes and continued, “but just remember this, girl: they hate Asians over there.” Hate, I thought. Hate is a very strong word. I coughed, as a large gulp of green tea scorched the back of my throat. Laughing uncomfortably with as much of a realistic ring as I could muster (Aunt Fran is easily offended), I brushed the thought, growing and darkening, out of my mind. I’d managed to get myself through the soured reunion, but what my aunt had said struck me once more as I sat, cross-legged, on my hard, wooden floor, my avocado-peel green suitcase and piles of clothes sprawled on the space around me. Scenarios of all the dark possibilities that could potentially strike me in Argentina flickered through my mind: an extreme taxi driver hitting me at a crosswalk, being a target for angry pickpockets or a catalyst for escalating

rage at a riot, or even a host school student refusing to speak with “La China” because “she eats dogs.” Working myself into a panic and a flurry, I tossed books and shirts into the corners of my suitcase. At this point, my intricate packing system (considering weather, laundry schedules, short backpacking trips, the possibility – more like probability – of a sprained ankle, a need to be sloppy and times of bling and sparkly things) had thoroughly been tossed out the window, replaced with an arbitrary and frantic need to fill the base of my suitcase. Squirming in the leather seat, still warm from the previous passenger, I read from my iPhone Notes, “Cementario de la Recoleta, por favor.” I leaned towards the driver, probably in his sixties with a large beer belly and unassuming eyes, and asked in tilted Spanish, “Can I ask you something?” “Me?” rich and throaty, his voice rang through the taxi with a chuckle that seemed to pour from deep in his belly. “Si.” The instant the words left my lips, I regretted it. Groaning and scolding myself in my head, I stuttered, awkwardly attempting different starts to my question. I couldn’t have been more unsure of his reaction and response! My chin quivering (almost as embarrassing as my nervous stammer), I managed to ask in a horribly squeaky and shaking voice, “Como piensas los

A R G E N T I N A TA X I M E M O I R

Coreanos y los Chinos en Argentina? What do you think of the Koreans and Chinese in Argentina?” A look of surprise and bemusement crossed his face. Silent and thoughtful, he stared at his hands, clenched on the wheel; I hadn’t the foggiest idea what was on his mind. Starting to panic, I lamely began pretend-texting, as if I were a middle-schooler at a school dance, hoping they might look as if they had somewhere better to be, or as if they weren’t on a dance floor by choice. I wondered, how far could the extent of his interaction with Argentine Asian immigrants be? Did he even consider them Argentinian? Did they even consider themselves Argentinian? My imagination, my defense mechanism, soon took charge of the wheel. He hates Asians? His heart must’ve been torn to bits by one, or his Korean girlfriend’s mother forbade her from marrying him, or his Chinese friend found success while he was left to drive lousy tourists around. He thinks they’re the greatest? Maybe he’s a quarter Korean (recessive genes – you never know) or he went to school with a tenacious one who made a deep and fantastic impression upon him! Anything is possible, I insisted to myself.

all of my bottled curiosity and desperation to resist), I asked, “Comó?” Meeting my eyes in the mirror, with an expression that was as usual, entirely unreadable but oddly calming, he said, in a clear voice this time, “Buenas personas. Good people.” Shoulders loosening, smile broadening, I felt relief and a great and unexpected pride. I leaned back into my seat and turned my iPhone over; I didn’t need to pretend anymore. Peering into the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of the taxi driver examining me with a peculiar look on his face. Biting his lip as if to say something more, he recoiled and then glanced back at me, suddenly hesitant. Reluctantly, he stammered, “Have you ever eaten dog?”

Holding my breath, I looked up at him, questioningly. He chuckled at my eager, albeit incredibly uncertain expression. Pausing momentarily, he leaned out towards the window to watch the stoplights dancing between colors. I rested my elbows on my knees and strained my ears for fear of missing his words. He muttered a reply quietly, under his breath. Confused, probably verging on a panic attack, and seriously considering jumping out of the taxi and rolling on to the asphalt, Jason Bourne-style (it took

YES, WE DID...

HONESTLY, ALUN, WE DIDN’T DO IT...

A flute that attracts girls. cooool...

MAYBE I SHOULD RECOMMEND HIM TO MY HAIR STYLIST...

From the 7th to the 17th of January 2013, THINK Global School embarked on a journey to Nestled in between China and India, are the perfect backdrop

the students and faculty of the "Last Shangri-La," or the country of Bhutan. its mystic mountains and meandering rivers to its rich Buddhist culture.

A place where the success of a culture

Watch the videos by scanning the QR code

is measured in happiness. Bhutan is the birthplace of GNH, Gross National Happiness: a government system that does not measure success through economic growth but through happiness. To understand this relatively hidden culture and its complexity, the students were divided into groups and given the task to study one of the four pillars of GNH:

Good Governance Sustainable Economic Development Culture Heritage and National Identity Environmental Conservation

Clark appiness Lindsay est for H u Q s it d n Bhutan a

Bailey Do bier Conserva tion in B hu

tan

For ten days they were treking through mountains and into the heart of Bhutan, talking to its people, interviewing and filming them, and getting as much information as possible. Each group made a video to conclude if their pillar supports a happier society.

Team an and d n Bhut la Fors nance in c a a s r I Gove Good

lex Yellow Yodsel, A and Team s u m o Melissa, o , ir o a h Liisa T vid, Sam Bhutan eron, Da nomics in With Cam e io Soc co

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WHERE I GREW UP By Pema

Bhutan is where I grew up. It’is where I learned that happiness is more than just smiles. It’is where one can soar so high above like a dragon and where dragons are no sagas. It’is where I learned that life is more than living. It’is where silence is never quiet. It’is where I learned that there’is more than what my orbs can behold. It’is where bliss is more momentous than coins. It’is where I learned that the world is not just Bhutan. It’is where the shelf in my room was filled with G.I. Joes and dragon ball z cards whilst girls my age had Barbie everywhere. It’is where I thought brooms could fly me to every nook and cranny. It’is where I never stopped feeling super because a fall and a scar meant a hero and hardiness. It’is where having a brother meant being on a wrestling ring. Yet, my heart would always sway to the beat of Hannah Montana. It’is where I knew when your voice is best suited in the bathroom. It’is where I uncovered football as my zeal. It’is where I learned that life is better off without T.V. It’is where looking like a “Korean” is the way into a crowd. It’is where a text from Gunda Chunku meant a hand in the underworld. It’is where weed fed your problems well, but it got you nowhere. It’is where a true king can be unearthed. Where bloods shed and lives lost can only be looked upon with due respect. It’is where war is never the answer to peace and freedom. It’is a place where I learned that whether you are an infantry or Superman, a few shots of gin can surely knock you off. It’is where momos and thukpas are always good, and a cup of suja will always warm your heart. It’is where Chokgus will strengthen your teeth and make your lips turn chalky. It’is where your fingers are the greatest silverware and where hamburgers and fries are grandeurs. It’is where you make histories in your solitary moments. It’is where I learned that being alone is okay because it is like a day, but without the sun. It’is where gossips with friends will never be a secret because a secret is never shared between only two people. It’is where I learned that obedience at times kept you confined. It’is where I learned the beauty of time. Time is not what makes you old; it’is what prepares you for the world. It’is where twilight means wisdom and absence of personages’means no creation. It’is where I learned that the absence of a mother in her underpinning year creates no line between a girl and a boy. It’is Bhutan and it is me. 87

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, a small country below China and next to India, that believes in happiness being one of the most important things in the world. Even the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, made the statement that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. Yet it is the Bhutanese biggest motivation.

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, and home of the happy people.

By Fatima

After spending two weeks traveling around Bhutan, talking to different people, visting Dzongs and Monasteries, and asking our guides the ultimate question: Is everybody in Bhutan happy? Jigme Drukpa, the bus guide says: “Happiness is something very special. Everybody here in this country believes in it and has their own perspective of happiness. Money is definitely not the only thing that can make people happy, not only in Bhutan but all around the world. If a teacher spends an hour explaining a lesson to his students and at the end he realizes that they understand it, he will leave his classroom with a smile on his face. If someone says good morning to a stranger on the street, it will make the person happy. So, basically, small things can make you happy.” He also pointed out that money will not make anybody happy. It doesn’t matter how much Neutroms you have in your pocket or in your bank account. It doesn’t matter how rich you are. It’s often very simple things that bring you happiness. So Jigme and many other people think that the majority of people in Bhutan are happy, and now that I’m thinking about it, I am part of these people too. I know that in other countries the definition of happiness is way different. Happiness is all that everybody wants but unfortunately not everybody has.

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An Interview with myself By Cameron

“What is Happiness?” “Woah. That is quite a deep question.” “Yes, yes it is.” “Err, give me a moment to think about it because, actually, even though I just spent 2 weeks in the land of Gross National Happiness, it’s hard to put ‘happiness’ into words.” “Sure, take your time.” “So, do you want to hear how I used to think of happiness? Or the way I think and feel about happiness now?”

“Anything else to add to that?” “Understand that I was somewhat happy. I wasn’t a completely insecure teenage girl who was always looking for the approval of others. I had the moment where I was just like NO. THIS is who I am and I am not going to change for you or anyone else.” (Pause)

“Both.”

“How do you feel about happiness now?”

“Uhh… Okay so where do I start… I guess I could begin with how I felt a way to gain happiness…”

“I have been slowly chipping at my new concept of happiness since about the middle of eighth grade. Bhutan was a rocket launcher into the notion. People there were content. Content. They were satisfied with their way of life. They were satisfied with themselves. They were just satisfied. And after that, I began to grow more content with the way I am. Of course, the insecurities that I acquired over the years still remain, but I have learned to ignore them… a little more. I have my ideal happy Cami in my brain, written in my journal, something. And I will strive to be in that satisfied, content, happy state without losing the edge and craving to do more, to be better.”

“Perfect.” “I thought that someone gains happiness from other people – well, at least I believed that the only way to gain happiness was from other things. It didn’t come from inside myself. I had to go and search for activities, people, something edible, or something like that for me to be happy. I did gain some happiness from those things, but it was kind of like fake happiness. Like going to a store and buying ‘happiness in a bottle.’ It wasn’t genuine. It was similar to tricking myself into being ‘happy.’ And back then being happy was having the coolest clothing, having people look up to you, having people like you— basically having people put you on a pedestal. It was very materialistic. To be honest, it actually killed some of the real happiness inside of me. Why, you ask?

I always looked to others for acceptance and it made my self-esteem drop like the temperature comparison between Boston and Buenos Aires.”

“What is the ‘ideal happy Cami’”? “The ‘ideal happy Cami’ is the Cami that is ‘on cloud nine’ and chasing cloud ten. Haha, I just learned the phrase ‘on cloud nine’ today. It means to be happy.

I interpreted it as just perfectly pleased in a moment. No worries, no troubles, no insecurities, no stress, no problems on my mind – just… happy. But, you see, if I stayed on ‘cloud nine,’ I would never have any ambition or strive to be better. In Bhutan, most of the people that I came across didn’t go or want to go to college. They were simply content with their lives. But in the culture that I grew up in, you always want to be better, to create a better life for you and your family. You always want more, and that was happiness. I want to combine these and then create that Cami on cloud nine that’s chasing cloud ten.” “Is there any experience in Bhutan that really stood out to you as happiness?” “I cannot say that one moment was the exact definition of happiness because I believe that there is no such thing.” “Huh?” “Yeah, there is no moment that is just absolute happiness. Every moment, even a happy moment, has a bit of sadness, a bit of anger, a bit of jealousy, a bit of nerves. You get the idea. This is because even if I – let’s say – am eating the most amazing piece of cake EVER, my mouth is the happiest it has ever been. But I am a bit sad this moment will pass, a bit angry because I will have to eventually work off the fat from the cake, a bit jealous because I am jealous of the cake being so delicious, a bit nervous because maybe the second bite won’t be as good.”

“Let me change my question. What is the happiest moment, considering the other things you have had during your time in Bhutan.” “My happiest moment was also my saddest moment and my most favorite moment.” (Pause) “Yes, my happiest moment… I had stayed back a little to film my guide, Gimbo, for our group’s video. I didn’t have anyone to walk down the mountain with so I jumbled down, step-by-step, happy as a clam. At one part of the pass, there is this beautiful view of the area below. I stopped and stared, absorbing the fact that I am in Bhutan, but I will be leaving in a few hours, maybe never to return. I know that I am sounding SO corny right now, but please endure with me because as cheesy as it sounds, I was extremely happy then. I thought back to the crazy, funny and wild experiences that could be summed up into the word ‘Bhutan.’ I thought back to everything that had happened. All the sounds, the clicks of a camera snapping away, the incredible silence that is a nice break from the craziness of a city. It was really just a moment of reflection, and I was just happy.” “Do you miss it?” “Yes.” “Are you happy right now?” “Yes.”

INFLATED TEAMBUILDING

BHUTAN MOMENTS

by Mark Surnin

Archery a heritage sport

Archery is the national game of the country. A game of archery is more like a festival where you will often notice a lot of socializing with food and drink flowing freely accompanied by lots of singing and dancing. The TGS students had the opportunity to practice their Robin Hood skills as a part of immersing into the ancient Bhutanese culture.

Located 10 kilometers north of Paro, on the Paro Chu cliff about 900 meters high, the Paro Taktsang, better known as The Tiger’s Nest, is overlooking the river valley. It was built around a cave that is said to be where Guru Padmasambhava once meditated.

The story of The Tiger’s Nest

Adventures in the Kingdom of Bhutan

By Maya Miltell

By Liisa Toomus

This is the story about the Buddhist monestary that today is a cultural icon for Bhutan.

http://spot.thinkglobalschool.com/videos/view/102524/

STUDENT VIDEOS FROM BHUTAN

http://spot.thinkglobalschool.com/videos/view/101322

Scan the QR code or go to the link to watch these amazing videos.

This is a video that shares the experience that I had while traveling in Bhutan. It’s a personal project to show the beautiful things that Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, has to offer.

As I continue with other personal projects inspired by future trips, I would like to keep in mind that videos send a very powerful message if done correctly, and I feel as if I have done just that with this video. I want to remember that my first idea isn’t necessarily my best, and I shouldn’t give up just because it isn’t perfect.

Producing this video made me stop and look around for the perfect shot, which allowed me to immerse into the culture in a new and very memorable way.

Impressions from Bhutan

What is happiness?

By Gijs de Jong

By Samhaoir Ruland

http://spot.thinkglobalschool.com/videos/view/100191/

This one goes out to all those out there who crave adventures and desire happiness. It’s a 6-minute-long video comprised of two weeks worth of footage from one of the most amazing countries in the world - Bhutan. Two weeks’ of cold nights and happy bus tours over slim and rocky roads on high mountainsides. Thanks to Lindsay C. for lending me the school’s Mark II camera.

http://vimeo.com/58684235

The best of photographer Lindsay Clark

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what’s so funny? Never seen a cow with short legs and a perm before...?

enough of this pling music. I’ll teach these monks some rock’n’ roll..!

WE’RE HERE, WHICH MEANS WE’RE AT LEAST 400 KILOMETERS FROM THE CLOSEST MCDONALD’S...

Dear god, please turn this water bottle into a coca-cola...

C’MON, GUYS... STOP TAKING PICTURES. CAN’T YOU SEE I’M NAPPING?!

bhutane break dance, exorcism or lack of gravity...? This might be a cool cultural thing, but gloves are much more practical...

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Boston, Massachusetts is the birthplace of America. In essence, a place holding the feelings of both grandeur and promise while its peninsula location provides an intimacy that feels similar to that of a small town. Close to the first place settlers landed, Boston is a metropolitan city that served as our home for the spring 2013 semester. During our time here, we witnessed unique happenings

Boston TGS takes on

and explored extensively. As navigating the “T” became easy and we learned where to get the best ice cream, we built a community around our Beacon Street building. Trips to the pharmacy were an almost daily necessity. The locations of shops between Newbury and Boylston were mastered, and we lived in the shadows of American history, some of the bigger history happening right in front of us. Super snowstorm Nemo showed us the power of nature as it delivered 3 feet of snow in one night during the winter. The Boston Marathon showed us the importance of community and resilience while we gained valuable perspective. We spoke with influential people and listened to the sounds of an area in Maine so remote there was no cellular reception. We trained to the nation’s capitol in Washington, DC and to its cultural center, New York City. Both weXplores enriched our overall US experience with the chance to live in a new city for a week. We immersed ourselves in Boston, diving into local events and “Saturday activities.” We played in its parks and swam in its waters. We came into Boston quickly and made it very comfortable, creating a community of living where every second had a chance for learning. All those valuable moments added up to being worth more than any credit on a Charlie card. And they won’t be lost as easily as one either.

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Freedom Trail Tour

Boston’s Freedom Trail begins in the City’s Commons, an area that was once used in Colonial times as “common” space for locals to graze their cattle or, alternatively, for events like public shamings for wrongdoing. It follows a sometimes-brick, sometimes red-painted trail throughout Boston’s downtown. Following the trail guides you through various sites that outline important events from America’s Revolutionary War. The Freedom Trail became a part of our daily walk to school, as we passed over its markings of history, truly living in the shadows of America’s early years.

With freezing ears, Hudson, Alex and Mark were listening to the story about the old cemetary.

“ The Chair recognizes the delegate from Argentina.”

Boston Model UNITED NATIONS

“ Delegates, Argentina, in conjunction with other independent states, disagrees with the motion to permit major powers to access terrestrial monitoring digital communications within our country.”

By Alun Cooper

“ Thank you, Argentina. The Chair recognizes Nigeria.” And so it goes on. However, this is not a session of the United Nations in New York, but rather a Model United Nations event in Boston. Further, the speakers are not professional diplomats, let alone adults; they are young people who, for the most part, are students in high school. Yet the discipline and the process is exactly the same as can be found in the chamber and corridors of that famous building in New York, and the issues with which they are dealing are exactly the same as could be found being debated in the General Assembly. The General Assembly is the locus for debates that will attempt to resolve problems, avoid strife and provide aid to those who most need it. The Model United Nations is, I would argue, the epitome of global competence. The preparations for the Model United Nations is exhaustive as it requires the students to research the real positions that the country that they will be representing has taken on in relation to all of the issues that will be debated. Thus, the views that they portray so eloquently in caucus, in negotiation as well as in debate, are not theirs but rather those of their “adopted country.” They have had to set aside their own opinions, their personal biases, and have assumed the characteristics and profile of that country and the people that inhabit it. In so doing, they have had to understand the other position and have agreed to act upon it in keeping with the geo-politics of that state. In truth, they have mastered a level of awareness that has to be recognized as global competence. Why is this so important? Well, it is not the case that I applaud the students for giving of their free time to attend the Model United nations (although I do) but rather it is the fact that in manifesting such a degree of global awareness they are offering hope for the future that is so absolutely necessary. That hope is that by recognizing the views of others we may help to arrive at a future in which the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is not merely a document but a reality. “The Chair recognizes the delegate from Sweden.”

Locals were acting while telling the story about the local history.

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noticed that during any given day, you are able to hear someone singing! It could be that you hear this singing from your ipod, from your neighbors, at a concert, on TV, at place of worship. It could even be you! Nearly everywhere in the world, in fact, you can hear someone singing! Some say that singing is a sign of happiness. If this is the case, then we have many happy students at TGS. Throughout the weeks and months at TGS, students found opportunities to express themselves not only through their work in the classroom, but also voluntarily through song from just singing to themselves around the classrooms and Residence or informal, spontaneous outbursts of group singing to singing at more formal occasions. In Buenos Aires, I remember moments when students and a guitar or two magically appeared and a song was sung, experimented with, enjoyed and sung again. Throughout our travels in Bhutan, we were surrounded by song -- with one of 110

Bhutan’s leading musicians traveling with us, this was not so difficult. However, with his song came another facet of culture and stories dating back thousands of years about which we had the privilege of learning. While student sing-songs on the buses in Bhutan did not date back so many years and may not have offered deep cultural significance, the collective joy brought together through their songs was infectious. Not only does song record culture and history, it is also empowering. This was illustrated so clearly one cold February evening when a small group of students and staff visited the Memorial Church in Harvard Yard at Harvard University. We were attending the screening of the “Soundtrack for a Revolution” which records the struggle and the courage of the African-Americans in their bid for freedom. One of the most strident messages delivered that evening was the power of song. The songs of those brave and resilient African-Americans held them together, helped them to overcome fear in adversity

and to constantly renew their belief as they strove for freedom. The evening concluded with a wonderfully moving spiritual, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round” sung by the Kuumba Singers that warmed the coldest of February nights. The power of song! Further joy singing was taken to another level when a couple of our TGS students, Charis and Yuan Yuan, participated in an A Cappella group in Boston. On a weekly basis, the two girls joined other young singers from Boston to share in learning and song. Those of us who had the opportunity to attend the end-of-year (academic) concert in June were treated to a performance of a most high standard shared to an enthralled and proud audience. The power of song!

BY MS. MARY

I wonder if you have

The power of song indeed! One of the most moving moments at TGS this year was at the end of one of the weekly Village Hall meetings not long after the Boston Marathon bombings. A group of students performed a song that they dedicated to the families and friends of the victims of the Boston Marathon. The manifestation of talent that prevailed in those few minutes was enormous and the message of the song most profound. How wonderful to think that, in the future, we could harness this talent and promote messages of joy and conviction to a much wider audience as we travel around the world.

The singer has everything within him. The notes come out from his very life. They are not materials gathered from outside.

- Rabindranath Tagore 111

By Alun Cooper The Boston Marathon, just like any official marathon, is the supreme test of an athlete’s ability to sustain the physical, emotional and psychological stresses associated with running 42.195 kilometers or 26 miles and 385 yards. Such a race always produces a number of runners who never cross the finishing line because they have had an accident, have injured themselves, or have lost the will to continue having experienced the ultimate levels of exhaustion. There is no shame attached to not completing the marathon, normally merely a determination to finish at the next possible race. However, what is not expected is that some people, not runners themselves, have targeted the race in order to seek publicity for their political points of view or to seek revenge for alleged wrongs against them or their political views. While it is true that the flags of the countries of the competitors flew proudly around the streets, the competitors were not racing for their country, merely for themselves and for the intense feeling that is associated with completing this supreme running challenge. Therefore, it is difficult for runners or spectators to contemplate why somebody would have singled out this particular day to commit this particular atrocity. I would argue that nobody who walked to the start line of the marathon on Monday had any political motivation. Far from it. They were probably more concerned with their race tactics, their desire to overcome the fear of the pain that was to follow or, for a significant number, the amount of money that they would raise for the charity that they were supporting. In no case did they constitute a threat to the national or international stage. Yet some people died and many were injured. Those who were not physically injured may well have been psychologically scarred for life and I ask myself why. Why would somebody want to do this to people that they did not know? I cannot believe it possible, but we have enough evidence from Monday as well as other horrific tragedies of a similar ilk to know that such things happen. How do we respond? Do we seek to impose even tighter levels of security? Do we stop such events from taking place? Do we want to attach premature blame and seek revenge? On all counts, no! A thousand times no. If we bow the knee to cowardly terrorists of whatever creed or political persuasion, we hand them the laurel wreath of the winner. If we act in a manner that reflects righteous indignation, we merely reflect the baser instincts of those who have caused so much pain.

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The students cheer for the real winners.

Rather we must encourage all those runners who were prevented from completing their marathon to race again as soon as possible. We must ask everybody to come out and to support those runners, to stand there and to applaud. We must manifest our desire for the world that we believe in, a world of openness and of hope.

mbing.

e Boston Marathon bo

Jawed reflecting on th

until I come back to mind is that at least my in t gh ou th st fir I heard from one of bul, the ong yesterday. When e first plane out of Ka th wr ed on t ov ge pr I s er wa ev I t en Bu Wh ped and my legs felt ymore. rathon, my heart drop as close to violence an Ma be n n’t sto wo Bo I e ce th of pla d is th th early and later at the en s in my mind from bo ere was an explosion rie th at mo th me s of ate ns ssm sio cla plo my re ex ve taken place many that followed, there we rorist attacks that ha tes ter nu d mi an e th ns In sio . sy plo ea ex un bomb ed around 4:30AM I expect to be awaken istan, of those terrible en an gh wh Af ys in da e life os of th s of ge d sta e more day on this home an for getting through on miles away from my ay of pr le t up jus co n a t ca I jus at es th tim sque so at awaken me. ” from the nearest Mo , RPGs and AK-47s th ns by the voice of “Imam sio plo ex mb bo of is the sound planet, but instead it familiar city when it a totally different un in s wa I e us ca be s if it wa e mass cyber coverage s different. Not sure friends at school or th wa e my of tim n is th tio ac r, re ve e we th Ho ents take place so king at I was terrified just loo unfortunately these ev e ry us Ve ca . be an or ist ed an en gh Af pp ha that in ent because you have of this inhumane incid . ws ne M daily 6:00P . often that it is on our o international media ghanistan rushed int Af d an q le Ira op m pe fro 70 ws nd the ne anistan a total of arou a couple of hours when ereas in Iraq and Afgh wh It was not later than ghanistan le Af op in pe e ly re on th is of at caused lives jured. And th in en be ve ha o wh d The Boston Marathon around the world, hundre just few recent events ay, not counting the ese th p as gr to ed tri d lost their lives yesterd ses an importantly, the lives I came to my full sen d politics. And, more an ts en ev ese th n ee and Iraq. The moment betw of “fight against the obvious correlation taken over by the name be ll wi s me ho e os one thing struck me: wh ose to pay for the actions en from them or of th t what nation is next ou Ab is. th t ou ab g of those that will be tak inkin the consequences sleep last night just th ology. Thinking what ide w rro na a nd ou ar terrorism.” I couldn’t apped ntrol whatsoever on whose mind is just wr t zones and have no co lic nf ve co in e liv o of a very small group wh rld cause they do not ha citizens around the wo ally, in some cases, be tu Ac ch s. ea mu ar do eir n’t th ca in will be for the normal e doing cause they unity of terrorists ar er to terrorists OR be elt sh rg ro in ter giv at en wh be s what the large comm ve at’ ey ha vernment. After all, th ey don’t realize that th if they report to the go enough education th es liv eir th e los ll wi cause they even if they know, be lives. r and terror into our fea g in n, ists try to do – br the hospitals in Bosto ones and to those in ed lov eir th of s los e th ilies who are grieving My prayers go to all fam Urugzan AF and Iraq.

APRIL 15, 2013

They will never win.

Too close to home.

It is by far a more difficult road that we have to follow. Yet if we heed the comments of our runners over many years, indeed since the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, we will come to appreciate that to experience the sweet taste of victory we have to push pain and fear to the backs of our minds. That does not mean that we forget nor indeed that we are quick to forgive, but what it does mean is that we are determined to continue our race and we will not be deterred, not by threat and not by fear. Our thoughts go out to those who died and to those who were injured on Monday in a senseless act. We will not forget them, but neither will we allow others to stop us from continuing to exalt in the chase for personal excellence even though that implies pain and personal suffering, albeit in a manner that the perpetrators of this deed will never be able to understand. That is why they will never win and that is why we must not allow them to believe that we will ever allow them to taste victory.

ac from Canada.

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TGS Goes Boxing THINK Global School uses boxing as a vehicle to study American identity as “doers and fighters.” The students in my global studies class looked at Americans as “doers and fighters” in both positive and negative ways for our Unit Three theme. They were tasked with investigating American citizens or historic and cultural events to defend or defeat the concept of Americans as “doers and fighters.” As a way to physically manifest this concept, I found a boxing gym in South Boston that agreed to teach our students “The Manly Art of Self-Defense.” Peter Welch’s Gym welcomed us with open arms and taught us the basics of boxing and self-defense. We applied the lessons learned in the gym to lessons in class regarding “doers and fighters” throughout history and current events. We learned that the same skills needed to be a boxer were needed to be “doers and fighters” in our own lives. The characteristics of determination, perseverance and resilience are needed to create any change in the world.

.......................

Remember When? By Hannah Cho

....................... I think in memories, and I think in possibilities. I think in “remember when” and “just think, what if.”

And you started to imagine what if we laid down our arms and journalists were at a loss ’cuz nowhere in the world was there anyone whose life was ended too early by someone else’s gun.

Like remember your first day at TGS or the first time that video convinced you there might be more but also made you think “this school’s a scam ’cuz it’s way too good to be true – but what if I just don’t give a damn?”

Or remember when every night at L’ecole, Donny would wink at Maya, flip a page in his pad, take a deep breath and begin, “Hoy tenemos!” And remember when you were staring down into the Devil’s Throat and you wondered what was behind the mist?

Remember the first time Jawed told you that his toys were tanks growing up and Anat taught you the difference between Fatah and Hamas, and you had to blink twice before it sank in that you didn’t know much of anything?

Like what if all the fairies and goblins and unicorns were hiding right there and sometimes they leaked out in the form of rainbows or that kind of inexplicable magic – ’cuz you know what they say ’bout how the best things are always just beneath your nose. And remember when Gawa said if you put together Psy and Cho, you get a psycho? And what if they named a trail after you? Do the math – it’d be named “Psychopath.” Remember getting cocky with the spicy sauce in Bhutan, igniting a fire, hot on your tongue? And wondering if it was possible to die from the burn?

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Remember watching Steve Kruger talk with his hands and his eyes so animatedly you started to wonder what if this guy combusts and all that’s left are Broadway tickets and confetti?

And remember when Nemo blew flurries of white and you stuck your head out the window only to be greeted with bite? What if eight years from now, Martino and Stephanie have three baby Nicks running around? What if that sci-fi movie wasn’t a lie and right now, we aren’t actually alive? What IF. What if every color in the world was turned upside down so the sky was pink and smiles were either blue or brown? Someone once told me, “You can only ever connect the dots looking backward, never forward.” So when I say now, what if you grow up to be leaders and lifelong learners, what if you say, I choose ethics over aesthetics and you say I choose peace over war, and we all say, we know what’s right for the world ’cuz we learned it here? I know that then in five, ten, fifty years, I’ll send you a message, in scribbly blue pen, two words full of tears, that reads: “Remember when?”

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AT HISTORIC

FENWAY PARK VS.

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SPIRIT WEEK In late April, the Student Council organized a Spirit Week. Each day held themed costume days with the themes being decided by a different House each day. There were also daily competitions or events – most notably an evening, no-handed Jello-eating competition complete with green Jello beards. There were chances for Houses to raise money toward Project Bread and the Breadwalk. The 20-mile long walk, which raises money toward ending hunger in Massachusetts, served as the culminating event to Spirit Week. On Saturday, Houses met in nearby Hatch Shell park to compete in the first-ever House Olympics. There were various games and cheering competitions before the Houses went 2 versus 2 and teamed up to play “Capture the Flag.” At the end of the week when all the points were totaled, Westland came out victorious, winning the Spirit Week award.

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ssachusetts. shoreline in southern Ma of ch et str ing nd râ&#x20AC;&#x201C;e ve ous as a summer shore is a seemingly ne and has remained fam life sea of Cape Cod National Sea nce da un ab new part of by cod fishing and its the day to explore a for n ow cet It was made famous vin Pro to lley. The trolley took a ferry down n both by foot and tro tow e th red tourist destination. We tou e W . d carrots while beach nd time at the beach of PB&Js with chips an ic picn a s Massachusetts and spe wa ere Th . re able to escape it stly deserted beach of the day and we we ity jor ma a dropped us off to a mo for off ld nt on. The rain he tch the video... games and swimming we Scan the tag and wa e. hom for ry fer e th ed almost until we reload

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By Nick Martino

OD C E P A C N I E S O O L G N LETTI

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ould be e trip that w r o l p X e w a in s ry students to use this a o s t a is w h l a IB o e g h y t M s. For ies all student war strateg g in y d u t s n beneficial to e ave be ht class who h spend the nig o t e c n a h Mr. Cailey s c a ing ied d War II, gett ed in the All lv o v in used in Worl s a w t tunity. ttleship tha erfect oppor p a e b on board a Ba d l u o g campaign w Island-Hoppin

In Global St udies, this fie ld trip will unit on Amer start our ican Identity. The student looking at Am s are ericans as “D oers and Fig hters,” meaning they are determin ed and resilien t in making chang e, whether it be medical,

After a succ essful discu ssion and co with the mus nversation eum ’s educat ional team, w our bus and w e boarded ent to our se cond battles the day the hip of U.S.S. Massac husetts. The were all giv s tudents en this web pa ge to conduc preliminary t so m e research. Aboard “Big M amie” the stu dents learn knot-tying, d ed amage contr o l and experie a question-a nced nd-answer s ession with o the ship s fo n e of rmer crewme mbers, a 91-y war veteran e a r-old . We also got to look at s o m e o f th e w systems on e a p o ns board th e s h ip and deepe understand r WWII battle strategies. Th e student s w e r e a ls o discussing t correlation he between this naval ship t o n es w e c u r o th e rently have gearing u p o Korean penin n t he s u l a.

technologic al or throug armed confl h ict. We have l for this unit inked our PE and have all owed the 9th grade stude and 10th nts to choos e between eith or dance to l er boxing ook deeper in to these ide persistence a l s of , determinat ion, and resil ience. This field tr ip started fo r grades 9s 10s at the U.S and .S. Constitut ion museum, was one of t which he first ship s the US Navy and would en had’,, d with visitin g a World Wa battleship. T r II he students had the oppo to board the rtunity ship and lea rn from an a Naval office ctive-duty r about what life was like 1800s on boa in the rd a naval ve ssel. They a into the sho l s o stepped es of a congr essman who whether or n d e bated ot the US sh ould declar against Engl e war and.

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They weighe d the pros an d cons throu primary-sour gh ce document s and role-pl a congressio ayed nal debate. S tudents Mel Samhaoir ro i and le-played ex tremely emo and concern t io nal ed citizens c ontributing understandin t h e ir g of the mat ter to the congres sman.

the student s were aske create a uniq d to ue first-per on their exp son perspec erience with tive the United S Obviously ,w tates Navy. ith our inter national stu the teacher dent body s of TGS wer e excited to the student s ee what s created fr om this even enjoy the w t. I hope you ork they hav e produced.

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“A BIG BOY

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IN BIG MAMIE”

By Melissa Medrano

Dear jou r na l I am a big boy now, I remember a big boy when my m and that n other sai ow I h a d t f reedom. d I wa s o fight fo r what I w anted, Today is m y fi rst da y that I fe b e t t er s a i el forma l d t o d ay i s ly i n the by fi rst d Before I h nav y, or ay on an a a d b e en t r ctua l bat a i n i ng a n assigned tleship. d a l l that to a ship. but today To be hone I’m here t I wa s s t , I a m sc o s er v e m y ared. How countr y w commitmen ever, ith honou t, I wi l l n r, cou rage ot quit th end not on and is, I’l l be ly to keep here ti l l m fight for y word bu the f reedom i t because n the worl my w i l l i f ree, that s to d. Because is why I a f reedom i m here. s not Now that I am i n the ship, I se away f rom e t h i ng s d my fami l y i f ferent. , doi ng no but ser v i B ei n g thi ng but ce for my work, not countr y. S nights, h h i ng l e av i ng nig epi ng on cots, hav i htmares a but a lway b n g c o ld out bei ng s know i ng attacked that we we we were w or so re goi ng t e l l tra i n o be fi ne ed and we but we kn because knew not ew how to on ly to fi work unit God that I g h t bac k e d. At the e have good nd, I than food and a I know on k to l l I need, e d ay I w i l l go b a c k I tha n k be because o cause home sa fe f what I’l and satis l have don I fe e l k i n fi e e . d I’l l ma ke d of wei rd my momma w riti ng o now you a p roud. n a jou rna r e my best l, but I g u f riend. Yo A nd, hope ess u are the f u l ly I wo one I’l l t nt d ie her stor y and r ust . e but i f I the stor y do you’l l of how we fought for t e l l my , ever yone f reedom. here i n Bi g Mamie Cheers, Gerard Mo u re

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BENYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

BACKYARD

BBQ As an end-of-the-year get-together, Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ntonia and her family invited all TGS students and staff to their home for an American-style backyard barbecue. Thank you to the Benson family for the hospitality and for providing copious amounts of food and games for us all to gather over.

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Snow Sports Weekend to Waterville Valley in New Hampshire

You have to learn to fall before you learn to ski. First-time skiing By Charis

When the ski teacher asked the beginner class what their names were, I made sure to say that I was from Thailand. I wanted him to know that my background does not include skiing at all. We were beside a little cottage at the bottom of the mountain, learning to hold our poles and to walk on our skis. Although I had fun watching other people fall, I wasn’t enjoying it myself. I just couldn’t get it right. I kept falling and hurting myself and needing him to come back to help me get back up. It made me feel guilty that I was keeping the group behind. But reflecting on this now, I realize I was probably disappointed with myself because I expected I would be better – even though I knew that I was going to be terrible. When we were going down the bunny slopes with threeto-five-year-old kids, I felt even worse. I thought of all the things I don’t do well in life, and got angry at myself for being all selfish and negative, and that made me feel even worse. It was basically a positive feedback system like we learned in ESS. As Jarret said, a lot of times positive feedback systems aren’t that positive. However, with the support of my good TGS friends and some moments of not thinking, I found myself riding the lift called Quadzilla up to the top of the green line about an hour later. I was still feeling bad, yes, and I was still questioning myself – but the power of friendly support is not to be underestimated. Of course I fell down right as I stepped off the lift. When I got back up, the sight of the slopes caused me to forget the pride, I was extremely scared and wondeing what I was doing there, but I kept telling myself that it’s going to be okay. My first step was another fall that took my skies off. At that moment, I felt so pathetic, I tried to put the skies

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back on but they wouldn’t click. Pema walked all the way up from the spot where Beny, Willem and Fatima were waiting to help me put on my skis. I felt so grateful and guilty at the same time. We went down together, and I told them not to wait for me anymore. Of course, they ignored me and said it was completely fine. They started talking about how they used to fall, and for some strange reason (maybe because I hit my head), I realized that other people are falling too and it’s okay. I realized that it was absolutely unrealistic not to fall. It was an eye-opening moment, when I saw how ridiculous I was. I suddenly remembered who I really was and the places TGS had taken us; I remembered abseiling the waterfall in Austraila while crying, floating above sharks and massive rays in the Galápagos, and hiking down the Great Wall of China in the midst of rain with the fear of slipping down the mountain. I remembered being scared but still doing it. So after that, my main goal was to extend the time before I fell. It worked so much better! I laughed when I saw stars after knocking my head, and kept pushing myself back up. It was just such an amazing moment to do something that you know you’re going to fail – but accept it and completely appreciate it. I also then realized the importance of knowing how to fail. Sometimes, in schools, we can be encouraged to succeed and get good grades. However, you can’t teach success without teaching failure - or at least, that’s what I think of right now as a 16-year-old teenager. If you want to educate children to become great people, they better know how to fail and still get back up.

SNOWDAY IN THE PARK February 9th marked a historical day for Boston, as super snowstorm Nemo came barreling through the city. Boston recorded a total of 25 inches (63 centimeters) of snow accumulated during the Nor’Easter, making it one of the biggest storms on record. TGS was there to witness it in all its glory. Snow fell to whiteout conditions and we enjoyed playing in the park, throwing snow balls, building snowmen with tophats, and best of all: hot cocoa in the building after.

156 cm

63 cm

That concludes my first-time skiing experience. Thank you everyone who helped me.

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Dear Y

A Weekend in The Wild By Nick Martino

osefa, We tru ly June 2, adventu enjoyed work 2013 ing wit re and h the T wonder HINK for the Global world is Our le students ade infectio us! this spri students rs, James, Ho ng. Th ll y a , s D in a cre na eir sense challen ge them dibly capable , Mateas, An of dy, Em , willin selves, inquisit ma, Na g to be open-m ive abo te inded, ut natu , o cooking a u n t d Sco of th re wil , kind, and app and the world ling to embra eir “comfort ut described the reciativ zones,” around ce all e. a Throug excited them, v spects hout th of the ery inte to e tr rested in experie teachers nce, in a ne ip, our leaders outdoo w way, r have fu sk o b il se ls and rved stu ove n dents g decision despite chall rcoming adve etting to enging rsity in s. They k w o n sense o r a fe o y w eac lt stu s they unco f pride in what dents took aw mfortable con had not don h other and th e a d they ha d accom y an appreciati itions, and ta before, learnin eir Thank on for king o plished g to you, Yo th wne . se e natura equipm ent! Ple fa, for all of th l world rship for ase also as well e hard faculty wo as a sen wa with th s so easy to w d our thanks rk you did to e stude ork wit c a o lo ordinate ng to N nts. Th h, and challen ick, the trip all of o anks als ges. an ur lead Garrett, Dan o to all , and L d to collect ers were of you ee Ann im fo r your p We welc re . Your ss e d extreme o flexibilit with their rap the best me the opport po y given unity to of luck the wea rt as you e work w ther mbark it on your h THINK Glo Sincere next ad ly, venture bal students ag ! ain and wish yo u all

Katie T rem Program blay Directo Chewo r, nk Chewo i Outdoor Cla nki Fou ss ndation room for Sch 485 Ch ools ew Wiscass onki Neck Ro et, Main ad e 207-882 -7323 x 04578 152 ww w.chew onki.org

THINK Global School staff organized an adventure into the wild to

provide a leadership- and character-building activity for the students. Students chose whether they would ocean kayak or hike for four days with the amazing Chewonki Foundation who have been leading the charge in Leave No Trace Camping and environmental education in Maine for years.

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Scan and watch our kayaking video. 131

I got to join TGS’ Bear Claw Squadron on an ocean-kayaking trip through Hockomock Bay. Now this would have been quite the pleasure cruise had we not encountered the constant barrage of wind, rain and low temperatures. Small Craft Advisories changed our plan and we had to quickly improvise and set up our camp on nearby Castle Island. While soaked, cold and uncomfortable the Bear Claw Squandron was able to undergo personal reflection time in the woods, have some wet rest and relaxation time, and learn about maritime practices. Our knowledgeable and inspiring Chewonki staff taught us how to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) camping, which was not what we were expecting. Despite the weather and our own expectations of camping, island camping using LNT practices meant NO FIRES! There was a rational reason for the absence of fire on this cold weekend. Castle Island is small geographically with a limited amount of trees. If everyone who camped there had a fire the natural 132

environment would be virtually nonexistent. So we continued to be cold, wet and uncomfortable but let our attitude and optimism carry us through the weekend. The experience taught us a lot and we all grew to be more resilient and optimistic people. If the lack of fire didn’t bring the point of how humans can change the natural environment, the bathroom situation certainly brought it home. While on Castle Island we learned how to WAG. WAGGING, which became a tagline in our island conversations, is the act of pooping in a space-like bag that contains gel to break down the “fecesial” matter. It comes equipped with all you need to do your business in the bush and conveniently seals airtight, keeping smells and debris inside. This certainly took Leave No Trace camping to a new level, but also gave us a new appreciation for porcelain. Not at any time did our optimism fade and we made the most of our situation!

Our resilience was evident whilst we were learning how to read nautical charts (not called maps). Andy, our Chewonki guide, taught us chart-reading skills, and we learned how to shoot bearings, triangulate our position and the Rule of Twelves regarding tidal shift. I reminded the group that if they can pay attention and retain knowledge within their current emotional and physical

state they would be able to do it anywhere. I think this point made all of us understand that we are able to do much more than we might give ourselves credit for. While we all love the comforts of our own home, it was important for us to learn that we are capable of hacking it out in the wild.

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The 2nd Annual THINK Film Fest lit up the lecture screen in Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Public Library. This year, the film fest was open to submissions from students representing countries all over the world. Several films were screened from Texas and other states. Hudson and Willem both emceeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d the event and we enjoyed guests from local organizations that help inner city students. Awards were voted for via an application downloaded for iPhone prior to the festival, which made it lot of fun and much more interactive.

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END OF YEAR DINNER at the PRUDENTI AL CENTER

GUEST SPEAKERS

Bright minds that inspired and motivated us.

On one of the last evenings in Boston, we closed the academic year over dinner on

NOAM STEVE CHOMSKY KLUGER is a well-known author, contemporary psychologist, linguist, philosopher and political activist. He is a professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he has worked for over 50 years now. Chomsky is well-known for his vigorous debating skills in regard to his opinions and insights into his areas of expertise and shared those with us during his talk.

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describes himself first and foremost as an author, a Red Sox fan and an uncle. He is a novelist and playwright, writing on a variety of subjects such as World War II, rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n roll music, the Titanic or the Boston Red Sox (he did say he was a fan). Kluger also describes himself somewhat as a rights advocate and is known for his work with causes promoting civil and gay rights, and baseball community causes.

SUNIL GULATI is the President of the United States Soccer Federation and also serves on the FIFA Executive Committee. Beyond his high-level involvement with soccer, Gulati is a senior lecturer at Columbia University with their Economics department.

the 51st floor of the iconic Prudential Center. The restaurant has walls of windows that let you watch the sunset over the mountains and the reflection of the colorful sky in the Charles River below. It was a perfect way to end a perfect year.

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WASHINGTON

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with grass as it is with brains 138

History, politics and art. An inspiring trip to the American capital. 139

Histroy and architecture have a way to make you feel very humble and small. Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the guy in the window waving to us?

Enjoying the view over the reflecting pool. Probably the best view in DC.

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Alex, Russ and Abraham

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Global Studies class at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Jacqueline Birn talks about surviving the Holocaust.

The scene had been set in a graphic presentation of

Students and staff in front of the Newseum in DC.

The students with Greg Simon. Washington, DC.

the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust of World War II. We listened to the petite and gentle woman as she unfolded her childhood story and the horror of the events that chased her and her family through The Netherlands and France. The terror and trauma she as a young child with her sister and her parents endured was shameful. She said their family was lucky, and as she spoke to us, their survival did seem to depend on luck. Luck to be surrounded by human beings who did not take sides, and even risked being punished as perceived of as taking sides – individuals who looked further than themselves for the greater good and reached out to help a young family trying to survive and live in a time of war and genocide. I asked her at the end of her talk how it was possible for her family to find “normality” and “belief in the human race” after the war. She said that her mother never did recover. For the gentle woman, while not laying blame on the next generation, it was not possible for her to forgive and forget. The belief in the human race, the belief in humanity not taking sides, was shared with us again with words of Ai Weiwei showcased in his exhibition at the Hirshhorn: “Extending a hand to those in trouble, rescuing the dying, and helping the injured is a form of humanitarianism, unrelated to love of country or people. Do not demean the value of life; it commands a broader more equal dignity.”

Mary at the Holocaust Museum in DC.

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Yet in the city of sirens under the air traffic-filled sky, there seemed little evidence of our humanitarianism. Rows and rows of headstones in geometrical precision rest in hallowed peace lest we forget their sacrifice for freedom. Monuments and statues that are honoring the heroes of war, names upon names of the fallen and lost etched on the memorial granite slabs.

Don’t Stand By. Stand Up! By Mary Cooper

Further recordings of our warring history were displayed in paintings and portraits, newsreels and newspapers, even, amazingly, an exhibit of a German newsbook dating back to 1588 hailing England’s naval victory over the Spanish Armada. Sir Francis Drake, whose image is engraved on the cover, repelled the famous Spanish fleet as it tried to invade England. Half of Spain’s ships were lost in the fighting with a consequent death toll.

We may believe that we know what we are thinking and witnessing, but Nils Olsen, a socioeconomic behavioral expert, demonstrated through a short film clip how easy it is to miss something we are not looking for. In this case, we were asked to count the number of times a ball was passed during a ball game. We were so intent on counting that none of us saw the dancing bear dance through the game from one side of the screen to the other!

Such records of war featured in Greg Simon’s lecture. Greg Simon is a politician who explained to us the role of history in the making of our future. He caused us to question the saying, “the facts speak for themselves” by suggesting that facts do not actually speak for themselves. How do we really know what anyone is thinking? We might, if we are able to ask a better question, obtain a greater understanding of how and why things happen and to thus imagine how those people in history who have determined our future may have been thinking.

So what if we were to start looking for the dancing bear? What if we were to ask a better question? What if we were to look for the humanitarianism in humans? What if we stop taking sides and look further? Would, then, our children be free? Would our planet rid itself of war? Should we, then, stand up and not stand by?

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By Hannah Cho

NORTH KOREA:

What it says about you and me When I was twelve, simply another angst-stricken, preteen lost soul, I discovered the concentration camps of North Korea and the inhumanity of the regime and have carried the grievous burden of having this knowledge and desperately wanting to help but having no way of knowing how or even where to start. Perhaps the most painful lesson of all to learn was that few listen and few care. The first time a child’s pleas for something unselfish are disregarded is the instant in which their innocence is torn away and they become aware of what our world has come to.

abilities to be creative, and to be

That it took nuclear missiles and the realization that this nation threatens security for the media to take notice speaks volumes about our world. It cries that we are willing to look the other way and ignore what is shoved under the rug. It screams that we will put political motives over human lives and that unless it affects us, it doesn’t matter. However, amidst all of his dramatic rhetoric and threats of an attack, this young dictator has also called attention to the scale to which his nation is laden with human rights violations.

independent-thinking is very important

The twelve-year-old in me rejoices.

in education. In my teaching, I have tried

To understand this nation is alike to having a comprehension of the depths of the deepest seas; it is near impossible. We must stretch the berth of our investigation to the spans of history and geography, look to its neighbors, China and South Korea, and to the USSR and the United States.

“One of the most impressive conversations I had was with Mr. Greg Simon. At TGS, we encourage students to think instead of just absorb information from the teachers without thinking. Greg mentioned the

to avoid inputting my own value to students. However, it might have gradually affected students’ independent judgments. I agreed with Greg that it might be a good way to let students do research on certain topics by asking them good questions. Students develop their abilities of thinking by filtering info and processing data. Then they will create their own points of view on debated issues. And this is what they need to become a global student.” Excerpt of a blog by Lin Cheng recapping DC

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A NASA satellite image of the Korean peninsula, the dark and empty spanse of the north in tragic contrast with the glowing splashes of lights over the southern border

Just a few days ago, I was in Seoul where life continues very much as normal, despite the threats, the urges for diplomats to leave both Koreas and the contingency evacuation plans from several governments. Open as usual, I visited the dentist; I bought a milk from the fully stocked shelves at the mini mart across the street; my uncles went to work; and my grandmother went to the gym. No hysteria. The most reaction I got from the people around me were laughs and almost scoffs. This is not pride or ignorance, nor is it naiveté or carelessness. It is experience. The people of South Korea have seen this same scene play on a reel since the days of Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, the Great Leader, Kim Il Sung.

When I met Greg Simon in DC, I asked him – in brief – how I could (theoretically, hypothetically hopefully) save North Korea, he redirected my attention to China. He told me that they hold enormous power in influencing the potentially nuclear nation as their only “diplomatic ally.” I applauded China’s decision to join in on the UN sanctions against North Korea, following their third nuclear test. Now I ask of them, I implore them, on behalf of the twelve-year-old who did not know what to do, to put pressure on North Korea to do what should have been done long ago: release the prisoners, feed their people, let relief workers in, bring medical aid, end the executions, and the violent and devastating treatment of their people. Return to their people the life they stole, the liberty they withheld and the pursuit of a happiness that is not brainwashed and fabricated to be a hazy daze of portraits of their Fearless and Great Leaders. I realize that with this country, there is little to fear but much to do. Ultimately, how much I care is irrelevant, but what I do with this care will speak volumes.

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The Syndrome of the Silent Majority

Reza Pahlavi Reflections

Cry Freedom, Let Freedom Ring

Guest speaker Prince Reza visits TGS By Breanna Reynolds

By Nick Martino

Prince Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, graced THINK Global School with a visit to Washington, DC this week. His powerful oration on the political instability of his country left me contemplating development issues around the world such as poverty, radicalism, corruption and war.

In our most recent weXplore trip to Washington, DC the students and teachers of TGS explored many aspects of the core values and culture of the United States. I chose to look deeply at the American ideal of Freedom The mantra encircling the dome of Thomas Jefferson’s Memorial reads:

As a teacher, I can’t think of more important issues for our students to be discussing as advocates for social transformation and global change. Anat questioned Pahlavi about religious institutions serving as obstacles of progress, David questioned Pahlavi’s political agenda, while Jawed made connections between political ideologies in Iran and Afghanistan. Their questions led to responses, which triggered more questions. These thoughtful investigations about what we know of the world and how we know it proved inspiring as the students then asked, “Well, what do we do about these issues?”

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” – Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson’s mantra, along with other events and opportunites, helped to fuel the fire in my quest for understanding Freedom.

I admire my students for so many reasons, but on this occasion in particular I admired their desire to make the world a better place. Student after student questioned Pahlavi and asked what role they could play in contributing to a more united and peaceful global community. Pahlavi encouraged their advocacy for non-violence, communication, education and empowerment for all. He left the students thinking about his biggest worry for the future, something he calls the “Syndrome of the Silent Majority.” Pahlavi read the words of revolutionary leaders such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., while repeating that WAR is not the answer and that non-violent communication will restore the people’s power. The students recognized that through educating and empowering people, change is attainable. Even though the world’s problems are daunting and overwhelming to tackle, we know we have 34 students willing and ready to try. At THINK Global School, we are not a part of a silent majority. Instead, we are a part of something extraordinary, and our discussion with Prince Pahlavi reminded us of that.

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Watch videos from the Reza Pahlavi talk and the Q&A session.

Listen to the TGS podcast with Reza Pahlavi.

Through this trip I experienced a paradigm shift in my own personal understanding of freedom. I came in with a very cynical view of American freedom, questioning its availability in a world dominated by the wealthy. After re-reading the First Amendment to the United States Constitution at the Newseum, I realized how myopic my lens was. Freedom does not mean equality. Freedom is a vehicle to attain equality. Having the ability to speak freely, write freely and meet with people who have similar opinions is a basis for how humans anywhere in the world can use freedom to attain equality. My understanding was not changed by a re-reading of the First Amendment but by coalescing ideas and theories learned in the Holocaust Museum, and listening to amazing lectures and discussions with the Shah Reza Pahlavi and Greg Simon.

In a truly inspiring lecture Greg Simon discussed the importance of questioning … He said “The best questions do not get answered. They lead to deeper questions.” This idea and the power of Greg’s words brought me back to my freshman year of college learning about the Socratic Method of learning in my intro to philosophy class at the University of Mary Washington. It was at UMW that I first studied the great president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. No trip to our nation’s capital would be complete without a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery, and it was here where I found a window to share JFK’s efforts to preserve Jefferson’s ideal of freedom. I led a short discussion and lecture at the eternal flame, JFK’s gravesite, to share some of his powerful words. In 1961 at his inaugural address Kennedy said, “My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” We repeatedly share with the students of TGS these ideals and that it is up to us to preserve freedom and equality for future generations. This concept was reinforced by the currently displaced Shah Reza Pahlavi. The Shah’s father was ousted by the Ayotallah Khomeni in 1979, and after his father’s death, Reza Pahlavi became the rightful heir to the throne. He spoke at length about freedom and how to throw off the yoke of oppression. He explained that it is universal for human beings to seek dignity, opportunity and justice. The Shah explains that the only way to obtain these is through education and communication, which eventually leads to empowerment.

Once again the students and I were brought back to the concept and importance of freedom! The ideal of freedom is a grand one, but it will never be fulfilled without action. Greg Simon, the Shah, the lessons learned from the Holocaust Museum and the Newseum all concluded with the importance of action. Greg Simon concluded with a story of a friend who explained that headlines now are not much different from headlines during the Renaissance: wars, famine and corruption. While this may seem grim, all the amazing creations from that generation were made by 100 people behind the scenes. He exclaimed “Be The Renaissance” ...be the creators of the next great achievements and works of art despite the grim headlines that surround us.” This concept was echoed simply by the Shah who urged our students to “Stand Up” and be active members of the world. Kennedy also spoke about answering this call to action when he said “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it.“ Lastly, the Shah spoke of the importance of having a plan in place to move forward. Not just changing the current system or problem, but having a new and better system in place to correct it. Breaking something is easy; it’s the creation and building that is the hard part.

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By Lee Ann Thomas

HIRSHHORN

Experiencing

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Increasingly over the last few years I have been able to see firsthand many artworks I have long admired and studied. There’s a certain kind of magic to walking into a gallery and seeing familiar, old friends in the artwork in front of you. The discussions, research, thought, analysis and opinions on a certain piece of work are reinforced, enhanced or even altered by encountering the physicality of an image or concept.

This is particularly true when it comes to installation pieces. Hearing the Names of the Student Earthquake Victims Found by the Citizen’s Investigation (2009-11) surrounded by the floor-to-ceiling lists of names and overlooked by the backpacks of Snake Ceiling (2009) in Ai Weiwei’s exhibition According to What? at the Hirshhorn Museum was an emotionally charged experience, so much more so than encountering the piece through photography and video. Surrounded and engulfed by the work, it was impossible to ignore the allusion to a school roll-call or the enormity of the loss of so many young lives. Seeing works like this in person reinforces the importance of scale and space in an artist’s manipulation of the viewer’s experience. Ai Weiwei’s Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn (1995/2009) functions very effectively as a backdrop to his Coca-Cola Vase (2007) and Colored Vases (2007-10); the three pieces work together to highlight the contradictory and interrelated elements of destruction, preservation and transformation. These pieces sparked much discussion and strong reactions among TGS students and staff. It is these discussions and explorations of the intended meaning of and interaction with artworks that is the reason we study art and why it is so important to experience the work firsthand whenever possible. In an interview for the exhibition catalogue Ai Weiwei sums it up perfectly: “Art is an action that transforms our thoughts. It is a process that turns nothing into something.”

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ART MUSEUM

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THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIALS By Paul Hendrik Schmidt-Engelbertz

Washington, DC Speaker-Inspired Photography

The Holocaust is probably the most well-known and cruel genocide in human history and it happened during World War II in my home country, Germany. There are many memorials, ceremonies, cemeteries and museums around the world that are built to remember the victims of this horrible war and the extreme genocide that happened in Germany against the Jews and many other ethnic/racial groups. Two of the biggest ones are right in the political heart of the United States, Washington, DC. The World War II Memorial is located right between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Its purpose is to remember the victims from all the different states that were killed by the Japanese and the Germans. It is very understandable that most of these memorials are a tribute only to the Holocaust victims and the Allied soldiers since Germany started the war. However, it is strange for me to think about the fact that these memorials were made for the soldiers that died in war against many of my relatives, one of them my great-grandfather who died approximately three days before the war ended. “Sorry if I say ‘the Germans’, but for me the ‘Nazis’ never existed. I was frightened by ‘the Germans, not the ‘Nazis,” Jacqueline, the Holocaust survivor, told us at the very beginning of her talk about her time in World War II when we met her in the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC What she said is totally understandable considering how many horrible things some Germans did to the Jews and others. However, it felt really weird sitting in front of somebody who was frightened of people as my great-grandfather and still isn’t able to forgive my country, Germany, the country that I consider my home. That’s what war does to people, countries or even whole generations. It is caused by hate and it creates even more hate. Fortunately, time heals almost everything. Nowadays, about 70 years after the war, the new generation forgot about the hate created by that war. It doesn’t affect us anymore since most survivors are either dead or were so young that they rarely remember. That’s very good considering the fact that hate causes only more war/hate. However, we should never forget about this horrible war and genocide and its victims so that something like that shall never happen again.

Other than a centre for citizens to demonstrate, DC is also a centre for diplomats and ambassadors – international affairs. We were lucky enough to get to listen to a lecture by His Majesty Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran. He talked to us about how committing change shouldn’t just be “for the sake of change.” You need a clear alternative. There has to be a clear leadership to lead the direction. You need support – especially international support, in Iran’s case. You also need awareness and the strong connection of people. We are lucky that in our age, social media has given us the means to connect with anyone and have access to information that we did not have before.

One of my curiosities prior to coming to Washington, DC was of its political atmosphere. Were people there especially political? Did that mean that there was much activism going on around there? And if so, how effective was that? I only had to talk to a neighbor during breakfast to learn of a type of activism. Doug Grant calls himself a climate activist and was happy to share his experiences with me. He has come to DC to demonstrate alongside 20,000 people to convince Obama to say no to the Keystone XL Pipeline.

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BY CHARIS

Our first dinner in Washington was at a restaurant with a wall shown on the left. Quite inspiring, isn’t it? It was a great introduction to the capital of the United States. I looked at the wall and wondered how many stories and how many heroes who brought lasting changes on the world have stood in that city where I was. 151

“The Importance of

EQUALITY A Core Value of USA” BY LIISA TOOMUS

Greg Simon on how to improve the world.

Equality: Something that I’m really passionate about is equality. I believe in equality for every single person, no matter where you’re from, what skin color you have, or what gender you are or what sexual orientation you have. As long as you’re nice to me. And everyone around me, and you. That’s what I’ve been raised to believe, and that’s what I fully believe, and that’s how I live. Never have I rejected a friendship due to such a thing as ethnicity, and never have I regretted it. I don’t know much about what it is like in the States, but from where I come it isn’t unusual seeing cliques of kids with Swedish heritage only, and them being completely separated from other cliques of kids with other heritages, most often of the time outside of Europe. And then there’s me. The awkward little kid somewhere in the middle who knows exactly how separated some of those kids with parents from outside of their native country can feel when my parents speak with a strong accent in Swedish, or the fact that I, just as the other kids, had a childhood with many other different cultural experiences than my Swedish classmates. I know what it is like being discriminated by simple facts such as what language you might speak and what background your parents were born in. I’ve ended up in the weirdest situations in my home country because of my inability to speak Russian, and, obviously, being Estonian, I’ve been close to losing some of my friends when they realized that I’m actually not Swedish and I find this weird. Because I’ve done nothing. I find it weird that I myself have been a part of an old dispute between two nations, even though it technically shouldn’t be affecting my generation anymore. And I feel weird when I’ve seen kids my age starting fights because of their parents’ different backgrounds.

I feel very scared and sad when I see cities being split up between ethnicities, such as in Washington, DC and many other cities around the globe creating poorer and wealthier parts of the city based on ethnicity. I’ve met the most intelligent and great people from every different ethnicity and race there is. And I’ve also met real jerks from every different ethnicity and race that there is. So, therefore, I don’t believe in discriminating people based on their looks. I don’t believe that you can rank people and their value based on their looks, and therefore I feel sad knowing that it’s 2013 and in every country on earth this is still ongoing. That no matter how hard governments are trying, their citizens aren’t always as keen to react to their efforts. Even though I’m happy to see that America isn’t as bad as other countries in how they’re treating their new citizens, there still are differences. Differences in who gets the better job, who lives in the nicer neigboorhood and who gets the highest salary. I believe that equality is one of the most important of the core values, not only for USA, but for every nation and every individual out there. 152

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I wistfully wondered to myself as I stared up at a wall displaying hundreds of journalists’ faces at the Newseum in Washington, DC This thought kept replaying in my head as I stared up, oddly enough, I realized, as my brain came out of its daze at a wall commemorating journalists who had died while doing their job. I was basically saying to myself how wonderful would it be to be commemorated for dying for a noble cause. How wonderful would it be to have a cause that I could give my life to. Later that trip, when we were visiting the Arlington National Cemetery, A co-worker asked me, as an American, how I felt in this place, and if I would ever consider joining the military. After contemplating this for a while, I actually settled on a “yes.” I think I said something like, “I would be honored to die fighting for what is right in World War II.” Now those other American wars are another story, and I couldn’t bring myself to enlist today, but the fact remains that I was considering giving my life to a cause greater than my own. This was a thought that would never have popped into my head when I was younger. I can still hear my father repeatedly speaking about how silly it would be to join the military. Oddly enough, though, this wasn’t the first time that thought popped into my head throughout our travels in Washington, DC. It seemed like everything in Washington, DC and every activity we engaged in was pushing me towards doing something great with my life, pushing me to give and devote my life to a greater purpose, something above me.

The Newseum

I was inspired again when the school went to see the film, Lincoln after visiting the monuments throughout DC I was surrounded by the memories of people who had done great things with their lives, and I found myself wondering what my great cause is, what world war or civil rights issue I was fighting for. As I watched the movie, I began, much like I did when I wanted to be a journalist at the Newseum or a soldier when I visited Arlington, to be a politician. This must be some kind of record! Three new life passions in one week! Then, finally, our week was capped with a talk by Greg Simon. And, again, I’m sitting there thinking man, I really gotta go do something with my life. And a few moments later I found myself sitting on the steps of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History reflecting on my whirlwind-of-passions

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

week in the beautiful sunlight on a beautiful day, and I looked over and I saw at least fifteen students crowding around Greg, dying to ask him questions, their faces frozen in anticipation revealing the strain they were putting into listening and understanding each word that he spoke, and I thought to myself how many of them will grow up to be politicians; how many of my students has he inspired? And that’s when it hit me. I have the best job out of all of them. I get to cross borders every day and work to inspire a generation to affect changes of their own. I was a part of this. I helped to plan this trip. My mark is here. What more noble job is there than a teacher? I may not be a soldier fighting Nazis, or a journalist dying in the line of fire, or a politician fighting to pass an amendment for equality, but I too have a purpose and a type of war to fight.

“I would be honored to die fighting for what is right in World War II.”

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Guest speaker

NILS OLSEN

In the First Amendment 5 principles are stated that every individual has in the United States, one of them being freedom. One of the freedoms that we have among others is freedom of press, which goes hand on hand with freedom of speech. What I mean by this is that in order to publish something in the press you must have the right to express or use your freedom of speech. And while you read this you may think of “home of the free,” how some people refer when talking about America, and as matter of fact this is one of the few countries that is free in certain ways.

By Melissa

In Washington DC is the Newseum, a place dedicated to news and the first amendment and freedom. In this place they have a map leveled according to the level of freedom that the country has, which honestly surprised me to notice that my own country, Mexico, is not free at all. But that is the truth, most of the countries are partly free or not free for multiple reasons, may it be the government or the fear that the people suffer from being threatened by those that don’t want everybody else to know the truth or the opinions of certain people.

WHY MEXICO IS

NOT FREE

Nils Olsen is a social psychologist, statistician and professor at Georgetown University. His areas of expertise include research that is specifically focused on decisionmaking within high-intensity contexts (medical, legal, athletic, financial,); procedural justice (medical, legal, financial); and choice (market-based). He has publications in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Social Cognition, and Academic Emergency Medicine, and approaches his research and teaching from a behavioral economics perspective.

In the case of Mexico, the reason that they are not free is intimidation. Freedom of expression is established in Articles 6 and 7 of the Mexican Constitution. Every individual has the legal right to express what they wish, but the real deterrent is the violence, public corruption, systematic impunity and a media monopoly that limits citizens to get the real information. Over the past 10 years more than 60 journalists have been murdered and others have disappeared because of what they published, either names of the criminals or people in the government related to or were allied with the drug cartels. This situation of violence against journalists and media is the cause of the self-censorship that is taking place in the country. Even though it is a legal right to have freedom of expression, Mexico continues to be one of the least safe environments for journalists in the world as a result of the great influence in the media of organized crime. The states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Morelos were the most dangerous places due to the drug wars between gangs and the military army. But the drug cartels are not the only ones that are impeding this; other sources of attacks and threats are former officials, private security groups, sympathizers of political parties and the government itself. In 2010 a total of 150 attacks to journalists and 21 attacks on media outlets were reported in Mexico.

Credits to: Ivan Duff Cuevas Hernandez/Demotix Other sources: www.freedomhouse.com, www.unhcr.org

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There are moments as a teacher, or as a Head of School, where all you can do is to sit back and to marvel at what your students are doing. It actually happens on far more occasions than we sometimes care to remember, but on every occasion there is that sensation of goose bumps and the inevitable tension in your chest. This afternoon at the Gotham Comedy Club was no exception, and I have to state that I am still under the spell that was cast amongst the shadows in the Comedy Club.

Earlier I had arrived to witness the microphone being fitted to the stand by professional hands, hands that were not sweaty and did not shake. I observed with interest as the lighting was modified to capture the atmosphere that was deemed appropriate for effective presentation, which to others may have resembled a terrifying patchwork of shadows and light. Finally, there was the “main man” himself, Taylor Mali, conducting the sound check using a range of “voices” that were so natural and instilled even greater dread for those who were about to launch their careers as poetry presenters.

The “main man” Taylor Mali is working with the students – and yelling at the photographer.

Jawed seems to agre with Taylor.

Yet after Taylor had commenced with a few poems and we had met the first of his guests, both received with rapturous applause, it was time for our own students to make that gut-wrenching walk to the loneliest place in New York: solo and on-stage at the Gotham Comedy Club. Adjusting the height of the microphone with aplomb – well, have you tried it? – required the will to dominate the shaking and that was nothing to the first gaze into the room as the prelude to the opening line. But student after student controlled their terror, stood with poise and delivered their poem with conviction and with a sense of the real power of the meaning of each word.

Sword fight with invisible swords or just very engaged students. Taylor was not a boring teacher.

There is no greater feeling of vulnerability than to narrate a personal poem in front of an audience! There is no stronger dread than that one feels when the words appear to disappear form your memory and everybody is waiting for you. But nothing arrested the deliveries. Each student performed as if they were born to be standing there, confident and committed to the words that they had chosen to express the beliefs or fears that they were willing to share with others. It was a wonderful afternoon and one that I sense might well have far-reaching consequences for each of our young performers. I hope that they have discovered something about themselves, their courage. For, believe me, to stand alone beneath the lights and to open your hearts to others is a fearful thing to contemplate. To do so is to cross a boundary and, once crossed, who knows where it may lead you. - Alun Cooper

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Scan the code with your smart phone and watch the video of the the first-ever TGS Poetry Reading Part 1+2

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Please Introduce Yourself By Hannah Cho I’ve got four pet peeves. Figuring out how much to leave for a tip. Whistling. Holding hands like this. And being asked to introduce myself by answering the question, Where are you from? Where are you from – what does that mean? ’cause that’s a loaded question and you’ve just snapped me into a kind of dream in a scene where I’ve got my hands on my elbows, my left knee scraped red like a fat rose and I’m falling into more falling – What does that mean? The country I was born in? The country I now live in? The heat that I can handle and the snow that I would grieve in? The kind of trees, avocado trees, palm trees, those Brazilian whatchamacallit trees? Where is my dad’s mother and where is my mother’s mother? and how will I ever keep track of my big brother? where’s my dog and the fish? they kept replacing so I’d think I was keepin’ it alive. The language I think in, shout in, dream in, screaming, what language do I swear, “How the f--- do you dare make me a foreigner inside my own home?” Whether traditional means a thin white veil or three red dots, circlin’ cheeks and the forehead, like wounds formin’ clots. My English name, my Korean name, and is my first name really my English name? What’s my blood type and you don’t mean A, B, O, AB, No. You mean do I gots Cherokee ’cuz if I don’t I’m just an immigrant, but did you forget that you were once one too?

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I learned the “Star-Spangled Banner” in fifth grade, because we had to sing it every Friday, but I learned because I wanted to hear my say The war that my grandfather fought in, and on what side, The bridge of my nose, the slant of my eyes. Where my best memories are, of smushin’ cinnamonnutmeg spice pumpkin pie dough or that feeling I get just before I take a deep breath and blow the trick candles that make you slobber all over the iced cocoa cake, ’cause I’m huffin’ and puffin’ so hard that my fists start to shake. Like those times when American means blonde hair and blue eyes, swells my throat so thick, the American dream begins to die. Did you know that if the lobe of your ear is not attached to your head, it means you’re lucky? And did you also know that when you’ve got four minutes to go around the circle, play a game, say your name, where you’re from and one interesting claim, you’re never gonna ask me this question again. ’Cause when you’ve got four minutes, damn right it’s in vain.

Taylor Mali

Conformity

By Sydney Morris

Labels are a part of our society It’s those words used to group us But a word is not me. How can you possibly put me Into another category? But my biggest concern is that Acceptance can’t be earned Just because I am young But how can’t you see I am not you and you are not me. I refuse to be just another kid in the crowd, And how dare you judge me? Just because of my age? I am not just a teen And yes I am still learning But at the end of the day We are just the mistakes we have made. So instead of repeating society Just let me be me And yes I will stumble But I refuse to crumble Under the pressure placed by thee And I will shine as bright as the sun But I will never be just another star in the galaxy. You see, when I was younger I thought I could fly And with my cape on my back I plunged to the sky! I wanted to glide past the meteors And leave the Milky Way But before I reached the edge of the atmosphere Society’s hands ripped me down And I experienced a brutal fall to the concrete Knees bleeding Heart broken And now on a leash I was then land-bound With all the other dreamers And soon we were thrown down even deeper Into a hole so big Even the moon couldn’t fill it. And labels like rocks knocked us back down

Spoken Words

By Fatima Ouhabi

“Are you sure you’re a Muslim?” she said. Y’all might be expecting me to talk to you about how people think of Muslim, how they think that we’re all terrorists, how women are not supposed to show their faces and how men need to have a very long beard. However, when Brad Pitt bossed a long beard he looked sexy but when a Muslim has it he’s a terrorist I was making my way back home As I opened the cab door and heard the name of god The name of Allah that can’t shock me for more As I rise my eyes up and look at the driver I saw a long Santa Claus beard stained black I had a panic attack I have been asked about my religion I answered I am a Muslim I have been asked, “Are you sure?” And told the question was pure Really? Is it because I am not wearing an ugly black Abaya covering me head to toe? Is it because I am not walking around with a Quran in my hands? Is it because you have never heard me saying:

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Slam Poem

By Liisa Toomus

When I grew up I learned a lot of things I learned that Brooklyn boys must be the bravest, that our blue bus goes around in circles and that red-haired skaters can make the best I-really-wish-that-he-was-my-brother And my mama always used to say: no crying in front of others. That’s exactly what any doctor or teacher or nurse or anyone never dared to say But a mom is always right and inside of you, you just know it. But I still saw the bravest people that I know cry, what felt like a billion times and every time I did I felt like we had switched roles and now I was the one who was dying I learned that 14 pills a day might not patch up anyone, But if there’s a will there’s a way, And I’ve realized that at every occasion, I was ready for a funeral. And every day I was ready to let go at any given moment Because every hug could have been the last And every goodbye the final And I sometimes wished that it would have been cancer or anything that has a timestamp Just so that I could have been able to think “at least we have 299 more days” instead of “I wonder if this day is our last” It’s hard to think such of someone you love, because in the end everyone loves their mom and no one really wants to ever let go. And I realized that there are doors that are too heavy to open Doors that I’ve been opening and closing since I can remember But one day I got too scared of even knocking on them, Because what if all that would respond was going to be the silence? And there was a time when I was dying to move hills & mountains, countries & continents for the ones that I loved, but barely managed to move the smallest of rocks. And there was a time when house 19 became my home and house 13 where I slept, Because when I grew up I learned that you can’t fight in all battles.

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Nick Martino Teenage Confusions By Joseph Hartley The Understanding of my being, Or rather the lack of it Is scrutinized, critisized, Giving the feeling of being ostracized By a society that judges My personality and says It’s a necessity to assume an identity As a matter of conformity thinking That it’s a simplicity, but in reality The gravity of its complexity means I don’t know who I am. And so I put up a shield, As a matter of protection To change you perception From shy kid to perfection But by all means I am not Perfect. Quick-Mouthed. Harsh-Tongued. Quick to say what I think. Overreaching Confidence Grows into Arrogance And in great consequence Leads to the loss of friendship, The creation of animosity to protect My own insecurity that’s formed in my mentality. And through this Confusion and Angst it’s clear, That I am scared of what’s in here and here. And I don’t know who I am.

During the dates of May 16-18, twelve of our students (Maya, Joseph, Paul, Megan, Hannah, Charis, A’ntonia, Fatima, Tiana, Yada, YuanYuan and Anat) participated in the annual Global Classrooms Model United Nations conference. This conference, held in NYC, was unlike the previous ones that TGS has attended as it allowed our students the opportunity to visit the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters for both the opening and closing ceremonies. We were almost graced with the presence of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; however, he was unable to attend the ceremony and sent his Envoy on Youth to deliver a message to our delegates. The conference hosted schools from all over the world, and a total of 2,800 delegates were in attendance. Our students did a phenomenal job representing Canada

(the country we were assigned) and debating issues such as migration, non-native invasive species, the Millennium Development Goals, generic drugs and childhood immunization. Although each of our TGS delegates and press corps members were great participants, a few of them were recognized by the organization for excellence in specific areas. I would like to congratulate Maya on her award for the best photographer of the press corps; Yada on her award for the best reporter of the press corps; Paul and Megan on their verbal commendation in their committee; and Hannah and Charis on their award for the best position paper in their committee. A’ntonia, Fatima, Tiana, Joseph, YuanYuan and Anat were all key players in their committees and were main sponsors of resolutions – quite an achievement!

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the

GREAT GATSBY PARTY “…tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…”

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Westland was awarded the trophies for winning the House Olympics.

TGS students, onsite staff and New York staff got together for a Great Gatsby- themed party at the New York office prior to attending a screening of the Great Gatsby in theatres. Flapper dresses and bow ties were the predominant attire to the soiree that included aptly named mocktails and a live band. We took photos in the photo booth with funny props. During the party, we finally learned of the highly anticipated locations for the 2013-2014 academic year as well.

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Going into the 9/11 Memorial site, logic led me to believe that the American Dream had been shattered there. With the amount of drama that is associated with the bombings, the sadness and melancholy of the site, I would believe that the American population was shocked.

LIFE FOR MUSLIMS IN NEW YORK AFTER SEPTEMBER 11 By Jawed Sakhi

Bombings had, before then, only happened in foreign lands. This was the first time such an atrocity at such a scale had happened, right in the World Trade CentER - the heart of the American economy. If I were an American when it happened, I would have felt as if America was not safe anymore. The American Dream would have been shattered for me... - Yada

I remember the day when the Afghan men were marching on the streets, laughing, going to their relatives’ houses, shaving off their beards and moustaches, listening to music and looking at the US tanks and armoured cars that were driving through the streets to establish military posts. Everyone was saying that America is here. We will be free. As I grew older, I was not only thinking about Muslims in Afghanistan. My curiosity led me to think about the situation of the Muslim communities in the US and specifically in New York and I realized that perhaps the so-called peace for my people in Afghanistan had affected the social and religious life for Muslims in NYC.

GROUND ZERO 9/11 MEMORIAL & LECTURE W/ JOHN BUSCHLING

During my time in NYC, I looked into this issue. I visited different organizations such as Muslim Consultative Network, Islamic Centre of NYC, a local mosque in Harlem, and Bay Ridge Heights Queens. I also had the chance to interview some people. During my visit to the office of Muslim Consultative Network, which is an organization that works with Muslim communities as well as other independent religious groups, helping to promote awareness about Muslim communities and how they have been segregated after 9/11. Ashleigh Zimmerman, Executive Director of Muslim Consultative Network, told me that in the past decade 40 million dollars have gone into creating an “Islamophobia.” Money that has been given to five influential people who are spreading misinformation using the conservative news corporations such as Fox.

I don’t really think it changed so much… When I came in, I came in by helicopter. And the rest of the city was untouched. It was only when you came here when you saw all the smoke and wow-look at that, and you saw the building. When you took off again… it was only a small, tiny part of this huge city, much less the rest of the country. – John Buschling

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When I think of 9/11, the first image that comes to my mind is the huge crowds of people on the streets of Kabul, not the falling of towers in NYC. It was not until years later that I saw the actual videos from 9/11. At that time, we did not have TV in Kabul, only radio stations, and people would listen to BBC the most.

When I was at the Muslim Consultative Network, I talked to a young Muslim Egyptian-American girl who was born and raised in the US. She talked about her experiences growing up in New York and the creation of new “special” schools for Muslim children in New York after 9/11.

These schools are supported directly by the Muslim communities because they had seen the need to create these in order to protect their children from being bullied in public schools, something that has happened to hundreds of Muslim kids after 9/11, an example of obvious segregation. At the Islamic Center of New York, I had the opportunity to meet some of the NYU students who were attending the Juma prayers. One of the non-Muslim students told me that there had been a shift in the mind-set of Americans towards Arabs and how the media portrayed the Muslim community on an everyday basis. He added then that he saw the need for a holistic leader that would represent all of the Muslims from all over the world but I responded back, saying that I fear that would make the situation even worse as other religious groups might see that as an obvious attack towards their religions. He also mentioned the documentary film Real Bad Arabs and how Hollywood movies are portraying Arabs in a stereotypical way that is very far from the reality. As I got off the train on 145 street in Harlem, I felt a different vibe. There were not as many people around the train station and barely any Caucasian people. I made my way to a local mosque where people were about to finish their Juma prayers. It was a peaceful image of people praying on the streets because there was not space inside the mosque. At the end Ashleigh told me that for months the NYPD’s Surveillance of Muslims in New York had used young Muslims to spy on other Muslims. They had been sent to different mosques in New York to listen to what the clergies had to say to Muslims and to also take photos. This is an act that is in direct violation with the US constitution because it does not give the Muslims the right to practice their religion in a environment free of fear. Such surveillance creates distrust between Muslims and makes life so much harder.

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BEASTS OF THE

retro dinner on Time square Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Times Square is a 1950s retro-theme restaurant catering to thousands of hungry tourists a year. Known for its singing waitstaff, dressed in era-appropriate attire of poodle skirts and penny loafers, the restaurant serves up traditional American diner fare to the tune of popular ‘50s “Top 40s” favorites. TGS was entertained for a fun dinner altogether while wearing TGS baseball caps adorned with TGS-NYC, a gift from Jo. *

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SOUTHERN WILD

Lucy Alibar, known for the Oscar-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, came to speak to TGS students while in New York City. Alibar is a playwright and screenwriter who has earned numerous awards and nominations. Beasts, an adaptation of a biographically inspired story she wrote called “Juicy and Delicious,” tells the story of 6-year-old Hushpuppy who lives with her father in a cutoff community outside of New Orleans.

Creator Lucy Alibar Inspires TGS by Breanna Reynolds

If you don’t know who Lucy Alibar is yet, you should. Not because she wrote the extraordinarily imaginative and moving film, Beasts of the Southern Wild. Not because her film was nominated for four Academy Awards and not because director Benh Zeiltin turns a rural Louisiana fishing marina into a place where anyone feels instantly at home.

You should know who Lucy is because she represents a new generation of creative. While standing in front of THINK Global School, her humble discussion brought most to tears, as did her film. Lucy took us all on a visceral journey while patiently recollecting her tough-love relationship with her father throughout illness, bringing us straight back to the film where squalor meets magic and childhood meets fierce realities. Lucy described her struggle while coming to terms with the fact “everybody’s daddy dies,” and managed to express this central ache through journal writing, which later metamorphosed from journal, to play, to powerful screenplay, Beasts of the Southern Wild. Lucy stood in front of us, not as a celebrated screenwriter but as a real human who felt inspired to share a piece of her life with the world through words and expression. She didn’t brag about her accomplishments or try to sell us on her current projects; instead, she talked us through her trials and errors while writing, her biggest regrets and incredible hurdles which eventually led to the creation of Beasts of the Southern Wild with 100 of her best friends. She represents a new generation of creative and a promise for future truths to be explored through her work.

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MU5EUM OF MATHEMAT1CS

(MoMATH) The Museum of Mathematics has interactive exhibits and programs that highlight how various forms of mathematics are present in our daily worlds. Intended to spark curiosity and inquiry, the museum provided a great hands-on way to think about math applied to real life. Not to mention that riding a square-wheeled tricycle is fun!

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I should have brought matches...

You gotta be kiddin’ me... this is the 34th kid!!! they better tip me well

THIS LOOKS LIKE A GOOD PLACE FOR A QUICK NAP...

Real New York Bubbles

I’m not so sure about this beauty mask the girls gave me Taste: A+ Presentation: F

I wonder why they call it a back-pack...

How to make Alejandro smile in two easy steps...

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALPHABETICAL ORDER?

Photography rule #28

To avoid broken limbs, don’t walk while shooting... 178

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~ ANAT’S GUIDE TO HUGGING ~ Rules & Techniques on how to spread your love

Hugging is an art form that you will never get enough of once you learn to do it right. It’s a great way to release emotional overflow and make someone’s day better. By following these few steps, you’re on your way to being the hugging friend everyone loves.

Timing is essential. Wait until you get the attention of the person you want to hug. He or she needs to be ready for that big squeeze. It takes patience but you need to be strong.

TH E S IGNS OF A GO O D TIME

By placing your hands on the person’s shoulders, you indicate that a hug is coming. If you lock your hands behind the person’s neck, he or she can’t get away and you have secured your hug.

seconds, but no longer than 23 minutes.

“A HUG A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY”

Close the deal by pulling the person towards you and 3: bringing your face close to his or hers. Hug for at least five

The “chin to chin” hug is a very intimate variant and works like a kiss. Great for when you want to take pictures.

The “Sneaking-hug” is something you do to people you want to surprise. Usually friends you already know. Don’t do this to animals with sharp teeth or people carrying samurai swords.

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Notice the hand around the shoulder. This is an intimate addition to the “chin to chin” hug.

Anat Almzayyen is certified hugger and the winner of the 2013 TGS Hug Award. She is personal hug trainer for international TV hosts and celebrities, including Joann McPike and Ellen Degeneres.

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182 183

IB LITERATURE

BREANNA REYNOLDS

IB HISTORY & THEORY OF K N O W L E D G E

RUSSELL CAILEY

I B M AT H

M AT I E B O Y C E

WO R L D L I T E R AT U R E

GARRETT AUSTEN

mandArin

lin cheng

M AT H

AMBIKA DANI

GLOBAL STUDIES & ANTROPOLOGY

NICHOLAS MARTINO

HEAD OF SCHOOL

ALUN COOPER

SCIENCE & RES-LIFE ADVISOR

D A N G A RV E Y

art & cas

lee ann thomas

IB SCIENCE

J A R R E T VO Y T I L L A

I B S PA N I S H

ANNA DEL MORAL

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THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR GUIDING US AROUND

maclemore, the famous rapper, and his twin brother Russell Cailey, the famous tgs teacher

AND MAKING SURE WE NEVER Got LOST

yosefa gilon, onsite coordinator mary cooper,

onsite coordinator

Sarah Jones, res life coordinator

monique lefevre, residential life

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Jonathan Prentice, residential life

d Ru s s e l l n a e r o m e l c a m in action...

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Maya

W O N M O R F S R A E

Y Monique

Our ways are separating.

Daniel

You’ll always be a part of our family.

Rebecca

Lin Cheng

aoir by Samh

Ruland

s? in 5 year ink: r e t t a m l re and th e h t it s What wil l ’l I rom now time? 5 years f o t ed the n e p p a h ? What tay I blinked n e h w ttle will s s li s e a il p h it w Did nge day. g will cha bad er every Everythin mise I’ll rememb s and through the e pro e good tim but I can h t h g u o thr I’ve gone at made me mad. th the times ght I was dying g. hou rom cryin f p e When I t e k ’t tic I couldn me ecsta because e natic. d a m t tha ombie fa z s e a e im t m e o ins, c Th p my bra ed I’d be u z t li h a g e r u I o main. when at I’ve br s they re a h t s t w h o g n u e y tho I suppos explain m ll e w s a t I migh , ts do too his year? e t s d d e in n r m a d e I le e an u. What hav that plans chang one of yo y r e v e d d e e I’ve learn when I say I need it n mb. so I mea k in time gentina with a cli c a b ip r t a Ar Let’s take rted our year in a t s ed when we e concern ver learned. m a c e b e w ho ne It’s when londie w b . h is d e w nd about a t u o t for our S o u g n we figured o eons whe ig p When we m o r f moke. roke, comes ire and s always b that lice f s h r o it t a w v plugs d fille e ele oves and t s n Where th ami’s room once e e w e bet re C hug. differenc e and whe h t d need is a e u n o r y a ll le a e s door Where w d that sometime eam next or. r c e e n ic r a e h ce flo love t and I le arned to ween dan o le ll e a w H n r away e u Wh ecame o hone call b p s a a e g r n a o s d and Mil can stay. e hat frien n t o d y e r n e han r v a e ca and Lin ke it, not When I le c e li B ’d I o t s s a uch odbye ve on. and as m ed our go ew we had to mo v a w e w e n It’s wher ed, because we k h ig and we s es

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Lindhan

Boomerang Ambika

...continu

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W ROM NO F S R A E Y

continue

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ring and explo ing s e r u t n e s bor r adv ght it wa w York fo u e o N h t o e t f aisy w f It was o by when sby and D y. t t a n G e e w k e li t z u cy ssibly cra Not a min e dressed up fan o p d n a ew retty It’s wher d up all p e w o h s n e night so ht. And Hud ruised through th d just rig e m e e c s e g Where w oment, everythin m bold, And for a told ned to be r a le e w e or less It’s when ’s story was mor ell, r oh-so-w one e y r h t e o v e h s c A ea ll? we know there’s still a she We think u o if I told y But what

city, usy. After the became b readed exams, g in h t y r Eve m. r our d n and cra e time fo w o m a d c e le b k c t I bu stress ’s time to orry and w ess , e r u Where it s s re ot to obs p g r e h fo t e ll a w and e? Despite lessened ere are w d h a w lo k w r o o n : The w eek, and final plea w e a n o d r h a it w ing w Fast-for lves cling e s r u o d you, We fin se so are e be. r u gh. im o t c t f o le t and Jus r is throu e e h m t o e g h o o t to g time I’m glad luck, think our o t e n ou good a y s h in is ’s w it l But ays I’l ugh, ay it eno ext two d s n ’t e n h o t d r I . o F oo much n though t e r v e fa e e s b u y Beca nd ma d joy ou a lot a y s is years? piness an m 5 p l a in h I’l r f e o t t s riend will ma ed with f r a So, what h s u o ears y r a boy? e Is it the t you endured ove ent in tim ed in our prime. m o s m b a o s o hink t ply liv Or the ? ack and t oo much, but sim b k o od, really lo G l d t ly n il k a s We’l ? in e g h k we wer hat was I thinkin e didn’t t Where w ur youth and thin W and think ou grow, yo We’ll env ack at old photos y s ing make kb . h o t y lo r l e ’l v e e W is uld know y o a h s s o u t o n y ea w ift What I m ing life and by no ent is a g swift. m o m y v r li e e go too and ev Continu t counts ome and c n e y e m h o t m n whe Every surprised e b ’t n o l. So d l see a gir ’l u o y e b s, may ho know w , e r a u r yo , whereve twirl, w o n m o r n, with a 5 years f iliar and recognitio chool traditions. m t fa in s fa k a o with igh s She lo , face you our old h o y t r s e n ncussion b r o u m t c e d m n e She a r e . a bruis l begin to cussions is ead with d h And you’l r ld e o h r g ber he holdin id remem alentine’s Day, She’ll be d r e v e n she on V ay, Because turn to s for candy t g h ig in p m p e o sh eyes sh She’ll be m in her a le g the day?” a in h k it c a w b d An you n’t I know “Hey, did 191

sydney, 27 Octo

ber, 2012

ater l s y a d 8 9 1 sydney

tgs will change you... literally. hudson arrived as a handsome young man...

...and turned into an unattractive woman. (with very hairy legs)

From where I “sit” By Ms. Mary I have a unique place in TGS that offers yet another perspective that I am going to share with you. I have a mouthful of a title – On Site Administration Assistant – by no means a bite-size position and the work molds itself around each setting with an unlimited range of scenarios to respond to! However, I am not going to dwell so much upon the nature of the work but the insight it offers me of our extraordinary school. An extraordinary school indeed, but then so are the people who populate THINK Global School, be they students, teachers, ResLife staff, administration onsite and offsite, and our ever-growing extended family and friends. This extended family and growing number of global friends often, quite naturally with some trepidation, welcome us into their static and established worlds to offer us an environment in which to learn, to flourish and to provide a sense of belonging. This cannot be illustrated more clearly when in our last setting, Boston, when we were caught in the terror attack of the Boston Marathon. For weeks after, we received letters and emails from our new friends in Boston and old friends from afar inquiring after our welfare and offering any support to any one of or all of us. Welfare and support is a part of our daily lives on site – and it is perhaps brought to the forefront of our group through the role modeling of the ResLife team,

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teachers and onsite staff. So often I observe students striving to look after each other, be it within the more formal structure of the Student Welfare team or on a less formal interaction supporting each other at times when the challenges of school work, homework, homesickness, an illness and disappointment can seem to be overwhelming. It is heartwarming to see and hear of our students reaching out to one another and discovering and learning how to use their strengths that are not necessarily academic. Building upon this experience of caring for one another and our school provides us all with the ability to take a level of care further afield and to help make a difference somewhere in the world on a local or global level. Making a difference is perhaps an integral part of being in THINK Global School. Through the very nature of a traveling school, we each have the incredible opportunity for seeking greater understanding of culture, language, politics, social engineering, etc. Surely this provides an almost obligatory mandate for us to share, during our lifetimes, our understandings and to lend a unique perspective. I look forward to following our students as they embrace and challenge the future for bringing resolution where there is conflict, well-being where there is poverty, good health where there is sickness, joy where there is sadness. No better place to start is at home with the family – the TGS family!

“Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams.” - Pope John XXIII

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There are so many memories of the 2012-2013 school year that I can so easily bring back, and writing this article has allowed me a legitimate opportunity to do so. But writing for the Yearbook one is faced with what to select, how to justify to oneself that choice and how can one portray the essence of what we have done. An academic year in any international school is absolutely replete with amazing opportunities, yet our reality at THINK Global School is so different as we travel extensively and, therefore, have just so much more to see, to savour, to participate in and to reflect upon. Decisions! Yet if I want to promote an understanding of our school as a learning community, then perhaps I have to focus my attention for a time upon the trip to the delta region of Buenos Aires: Tigre. Some time prior to our visit to Tigre, students had mentioned in Village Hall that they felt that they wanted to be more actively involved in the planning of trips. This was considered and it was announced that the trip to Tigre would be in the hands of the students. The students would work collaboratively on a plan that would meet the guiding criteria provided to them, in their respective Houses. The Houses would have an allotted period of time to conduct the essential research that would support their plan in terms of the essential logistics associated with getting to and from Tigre, what activities were going to be selected to meet the diverse needs of all students and how everybody was going to be fed. A panel of judges would evaluate the submitted plans and the winning plan would be used for the trip to the delta. Even though there were a number of reminders about the project, when the day arrived for the plans to be submitted, it quickly became evident that not all of the research had been concluded and the plans were far from ready to be acted upon, let alone judged. It would have been relatively easy to abandon the process and for the teachers to step in and to put an emergency plan into effect. Yet it was considered that such a decision would have been detrimental to the learning process and so we spoke to the students and gave them one further opportunity for each House to produce the plan that they thought would be the most appropriate for the trip. The students responded to the new challenge and four plans were duly submitted. The judges were happy to deliberate and finally the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Northland Knightsâ&#x20AC;? was deemed to have created the best plan. With the plan identified, the student coordinators set to work with our logistics team and soon we were being briefed about travel arrangements, where we had to meet and what to bring with us, all provided directly by the student leadership of the winning House.

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The day before we were to go to Tigre, Buenos Aires experienced a massive storm from the south. The city was subjected to extremely high winds, torrential rain and a significant drop in temperature. The students contacted the company in Tigre that was going to support us with canoeing and the representatives explained that the storm was made all the worse because it coincided with an exceptionally high tide. The students were advised to check the following morning, but the prognosis was good. The following morning we all made our way to the Mitre station in Retiro in order to catch the train to Tigre, following the instructions that had been provided to us by the students in charge of this phase of the trip. While we waited for our train to leave, the company in Tigre called the students and informed them that there was massive flooding and that it would be impossible to canoe in safety. The students came to me and asked what they ought to do. They were told to discuss with the representatives in Tigre and to determine an idea for the group. This they did and discussions ensued as we traveled sedately, but gently, towards the delta. The representatives of the company met the student leaders in Tigre and an alternative plan was agreed upon, without any interference from the accompanying TGS adults. Thus we set off and, although our itinerary was different, it soon became apparent that our day was going to be no less enjoyable. We were able to witness the impact of the storm and the flooding from the top of the roofless bus as well as from the deck of the boat that took us around the delta, but this was somewhat deflected as our guides provided us with a wealth of valuable information about history of the region, the environment, the local culture (quite different to the porteno culture that we had come to understand in the city) and facts about the diverse fauna and flora to be found around Tigre. Lunch provided a welcome opportunity for reflection and to eat some wonderful organic food, but wonderful as that was finding the games that were kept in the restaurant provided some memorable moments of students and adults sitting together and playing board games while conversing together. For many it was quite a wrench to leave but the late-afternoon sunshine prompted us to complete the designated programme until it was time to bid the delta farewell. The train journey back seemed quieter than the one we had taken in the morning and our bus journeys back to the boarding house appeared to me to be endless. The parting comments indicated that we had all had an extremely good day and the evaluations that were subsequently produced corroborated those views.

Why did I select this trip as something to include in the Yearbook? I did so because it epitomizes the learning process so well. The students wanted to lead, they desired an opportunity to demonstrate what they were capable of accomplishing and they were given that opportunity. At first they did not appreciate the attention to detail that was necessary in terms of planning an all-day event for this number of people, yet they were given the opportunity to try again rather than to have the chance withdrawn from them. Further, when circumstances outside of their control, namely the weather, influenced the plan, they did not capitulate but rather they worked to modify the plan in such a way as to provide alternative activities that were safe to be considered. Throughout all of the discussions and decision-making, they were afforded the freedom to decide without the TGS adults intervening. At the end of the day, they had provided all of us with a very interesting trip, some great food and many instances for learning. There is no doubt in my mind that those students who led this trip had much to be proud of. Equally, I was proud of them for the manner in which they conducted themselves, for their concern for all members of the group and for persevering when it would have been far easier to have given up when faced with the adverse weather and the consequent impossibility of adhering to the original plan. What they experienced will, I am sure, be of immense help to them in their respective futures.

for supporting our students in the Buenos Aires and Boston semesters. As I write, we now look forward to reconvening in India. We will be working in the Indus School, which is a boarding school about one hour outside of the city of Hyderabad. There is bound to be many challenges that await us, but is that not the very bedrock upon which TGS was founded, embracing change and possessing the resilience to endure? I look forward to welcoming everybody to Hyderabad in August knowing that we will be ready to participate in full in every learning opportunity that presents itself while we are in India and later in Japan.

This experience of student empowerment was the genus for some important changes in how weXplore trips have been planned in the second semester of the 2012-13 school year; with essential planning devolved to the individual students. This has been well received as the students have had the opportunity to select what they want to research into as well as choosing the activities that are going to help to support that personal research. It is an important modification, as this autonomy and greater personal engagement will underpin many of the curricular changes that are contemplated in the strategic plan. Changes that will promote more student empowerment in their learning as well as more opportunities for individualized learning. Something to look forward to. In conclusion, I want to thank our teachers, administrative staff, Residential Life staff and indeed all of the TGS community

Alun Cooper Head of School

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OH MY... I CAN HEAR THEIR THINKING...

languages SPOKEN by students

1 : 1.43 boy girl ratio (lucky boys)

iPHONES

REPLACED

# of different

student passports

BLOGS

POSTED:

1,116

THE SCHOOL YEAR by the

NUMBERS

REPAIRED

# of waterbottles

used in Argentina

176,033

# TGS Youtube Channel views

# OF NIGHTS WE HEARD “HOY! TENEMOS…”

8,550 13

# of Nights Spent Aboard a World War II war ship

273 ABROAD # OF DAYS

6,552 HOURS ABROAD

# of onsite staff

# 0f UN Model participation

396,000 Gallons per second of Water We Watched Pour Over the Iguazu waterfall