Paud Fire, Pune and Project Week

Last night, we all went out to the local village called Paud (it seemed like the population there of dogs is higher than that of humans!) for food which was nice but a bit of an anti-climax. A massive electrical fire started along the road from where we we were which caused havoc, so we had to leave fairly promptly. As we drove through today, we saw that about 4 shops had been completely burnt out, even though no one was injured. We went shopping in the city Pune to get various supplies and stuff, and I made my first batch of Rocky Road (yes, the famous recipe has made it to India already)!

Subject wise I'm still a bit stuck - I've decided to stick with Global Politics and am now really enjoying it, and I also decided to stick with spanish B and change my english. However, after going to 3 spanish classes and understanding absolutely nothing, I don't actually believe that was the right choice. I have spoken to my teacher because one girl is not taking anything this year then joining the beginners spanish course next year because the rest of the students will have caught up by then. However, she originally said my level was too high for this so I'm kind of stuck in the middle at the moment. I'm going to have a meeting with her tomorrow to discuss my options.

I also found out a few days ago which project week trip I am going on! Located in the mountainous northern state of Uttarakhand, Dodital is a pristine alpine lake at an altitude of 3100 m above sea level. This project week will take us on an expedition to Dodital and beyond. The trek to Dodital is a steady uphill climb that takes us through dense forests and high meadows.  After Dodital, we will be climbing further to the mountain pass at Darwa Top, at 3800m above MSL. The climb to Darwa Top is steep but offers stunning views of the Himalayas at the top. I looked up some photos on the internet, and this is what I found: 

This trip will be happening in October and I will be going with 2 other teachers and a group of around 14 other students. It will take about 24 hours to travel to our starting point which includes a few buses and trains so that will be fun too. 

Home Stay and Subjects

This was meant to be posted 2 nights ago, but it didn't actually send so it didn't happen yesterday if that makes any sense...

Rats. I really REALLY dislike rats. Last night we went on a home stay with locals in the village. We were paired up with a second year (I was with Trisha from India) and walked to various villages along our route. The people were lovely and the food was amazing (better than college food!), however I don't think I slept at all. There must have been about 10 rats, just running up and down the wooden beams above our bed (a table) and dropping onto the metal pans in the opposite corner of the room. At one point as I was just dosing off, one of them knocked one of the pans off and I woke up again, and just watched them for about 4 hours straight. I also forgot to bring mosquito repellent so literally got eaten alive. 

Today, I have academic interviews where I will decide which subjects I want to try out and I will get the results of a (extremely hard) maths test we did which will pretty much decide which level of maths I will be doing. At the moment, I'm thinking about global politics, english & performance, maths, biology, chemistry and spanish, however i'm not sure about global politics yet. 

I'M HERE

I'VE ARRIVED!!! We landed at around 11 yesterday in Mumbai and met up with a few second years in the airport. They took us to a bus which was going to drive us to the school, and as soon as I walked outside I immediately felt the heat! It was so humid in Mumbai, and even worse inside the bus. There wasn't enough room for all our luggage on the top of it, so some went on the back 4 seats meaning the second years had to sit on the bags. We left the airport around 1 and arrived on campus at 6:30, with a few police checks on the way! The air is much less humid out here which is nice, however there are loads of crabs on campus! Like crabs that you may find by the sea….weird. 

Me and Smirthy from India ^

I met my room mates who are from USA, Israel and India. They are all really cool, as are my second years. I haven't yet met my "buddy" however I'm sure I will find out who they are soon. I felt very homesick last night as I was putting up photos around my room and unpacking, however meeting so many new people and getting involved made me feel better. Today, I've had a medical check, set up the internet on my laptop, had photos taken and just basically done loads of admin! Everyone is kind of walking around aimlessly as no one has been told what/when to do things! I've met so many people whose names I have already forgotten, and have walked back and forth to my room collecting paperwork/dropping off things I don't need. 

I've decorated my area of my room with photos and my flags of Devon and UK which has made it feel a lot more homely! Thank you so much to Lucy/Clare for the bunting and stuff and to Charlotte/Chris for all the amazing photos. It's really made my corner of the room have a bit more character, and less like a prison cell!!

In a few days time, I'm going to be going on a "home stay" where basically you stay with a local family in the village…I'm excited for that but also a little scared as I speak no Hindi!

I'm going to play basketball now with a bunch of other first years, before our "wada dessert". 

Namaste!

Triveni

We received an email a while back which gave us details about the Triveni (extra curricular activities) options we could choose!
The triveni's fall under 4 categories: community engagement, campus service, action and creativity. You have to pick one from each category, and it is not recommended to pick more than 6! During our first week at college, we will get to try out our options to decide fully what we want to do, however at the moment these appeal to me:


Manavya in the community: Manavya, meaning humanity, is a organisation for children and teenagers who are HIV positive. Once 
a week we go down to play with the children, paint with them, chat to them and basically do what we can to provide some entertainment.

Paud Children's home: Paud Children’s home is an orphanage in Paud Village. Here we interact with children of different age groups, through different kinds of activities including arts, games, songs, sports, dance, help with homework and more.  We play games with them that are specifically chosen to develop certain aspects of their individual character such as creativity and sportsmanship. 

First Aid Service on campus: There will be two parts to this service:
1) Weekly training: * At the med center with Dr Dipak * With me in a wilderness context - scenarios, practice, applied theory * In the second year students can take on a larger role with teaching
2) The “service” part: * Stand-by duties at events such as capture the flag, wrestling tournament etc. * “Hasty-team” / search party e.g. in that scenario when the two girls were up on Mt Wilko or when someone is known to have hurt themselves while hiking.

Action: Parkour: It is the art of running away. We climb walls, vault fences and jump from roofs. It focuses on unconventional efficient movement around obstacles or terrain using only the abilities of the body.
             Hockey: Agame with sticks, a ball and goals. You hit the ball with the stick and try to make goals with your team. A great, challenging and exciting game!

Creativity: MUWCI Acapella: Singing with others is the best thing! We rehearse and perform various songs from all over the world, such as folk songs, pop songs, spirituals, and even classical music! Come and experience giving a massage to the soul with music...

It's getting closer and closer every day! In 18 days time I will be on a plane, and on my way to the biggest adventure of my life! And you know what? I CAN'T WAIT to get out there and see India and what it has to offer!

Step by step

It's getting closer and closer now...and I'm reallyyyy excited! I have a countdown on my phone...66 days to go, just over 2 months. It feels exciting, but at the same time I'm very nervous. I think those 66 days are going to fly by as I have quite a busy summer! 

I've had my jabs done now, and Mum is beginning to put together a box of possible things I might need. I'm looking forward to getting a tan, and mostly for the brunch and yoga on Sundays! 

I also can't wait to see the campus....it looks so nice! I'm not sure about Indian food as I don't like too much spice, but I'm going with an open mind to try everything! Look at the view too, it's awesome.

I probably won't update this much before I actually go to college, as I won't have much to say.

Kate x

Wales?! India?!

Hey! 

I'm Kate, I'm 16 and I currently live in Devon. However, just a few weeks ago, I heard I had been accepted to UWC Atlantic College, Wales. I was so excited to be in, and immediately was added to many groups where I got to know some great people who would be going too. I had to think hard about whether I would actually accept my place or not, as I knew I would miss my family and friends. 

I first started applying to the UWC colleges in October, however I remember a conversation with my parents from when I was about 8 telling me all about the colleges. I went to the college open day and absolutely loved it, and again enjoyed visiting for my interview in March, 2013. After I had had a little taster of what life was like there, I was even more keen and excited than I had been before!

I had a slight problem though, the school fees at £51,000 for 2 years were way above my parents' budget and my online fundraising page didn't receive many (if any) donations. So, UWC then offered me a place at a different and cheaper college -Mahindra, India. At first, I was fairly against this idea, but after looking at many pictures and speaking to people at the college, I was in a hard position. I loved the campus of Mahindra and thought it would be more of an experience there, however I knew so many lovely people going to AC and thought I might get homesick so far away from home. 

In the end, I chose India! I can't wait to go there and meet so many amazing people, and do some great work in the local community. This blog spot is for any of you who may want to see what I've been up to, and I will try to keep it updated as often as possible!

Thank you for taking time to read all of that! 

Lots of love,

Kate 

xxx