From the very beginning, my EE process was very surprising and contained some unforeseen turns. The way I had to change my subjects from World Studies to English after a month, lead to choosing an unexpected book, The Good Omens, which didn’t come up as a subject to analysis when I first read it years ago, but showed so much complexity when I looked at it now. I believe that I had a process, which taught me the importance of flexibility. When I did my first draft, my supervisor and I realized how I could still narrow down my focus in order to investigate more nuanced perspectives, which meant that I needed to cut out whole paragraphs and shape others. At first, it felt rather uncomfortable, but as I continued, I saw how this focus helps me see a more complex picture and message from the authors. The more I delved into the novel and its themes, the more I realized how many ways I could have gone from the start if I look at the other, narrower focuses. However, I feel that it would have been harder to reach that aimed complexity with the more, but shallow topics.
Month: December 2019
End of Year Service Post
Finishing Service is a weird feeling. Volunteering for me wasn’t something I felt that I had to do. Visiting my patient in Apex every week was something I was looking for, even though, I often felt the frustration that I can’t help enough. Especially, in the last couple of months, I felt that she’s getting into a little bit worse position with her dementia, which is understandable, looking at her age. I believe that music can have the most positive and powerful influence on us in many ways, but I feel that I was a little bit naive, and expected to make miracles, while in reality, I had to appreciate that with it, I could reach out to my patient. I felt that we truly have a connection when we could both enjoy and be thankful for what we were listening to and sing/move together to the beat. Personally, it was quite funny when I started to learn how to pronounce Japanese words, as an old, famous Japanese singer was one of her favorite. I try to do a lot of explorations what she could like, and while the singer remained in the best position, surprisingly, she responded quite well to some children’s songs as well.
We had a journey together, which I’m very happy to participate in with her. I had to accept that I in some cases can’t help, some things are beyond my abilities, but it always filled me with happiness to see her enjoy herself, and I will miss that smile.
IFP Mae Sot Reflection
IFP Mae Sot was one of the most challenging and rewarding experience, and probably, the most UWC one. Us, both individuals and as a team, faced and overcome multiple challenges throughout this week (LO1).
Personally, I had to be strong and persevere, as I got food poisoning on the second night of the week. It took a lot of energy to balance facilitating and giving myself enough time to rest and gain back some energy. I wanted to be always with the delegates, who taught me so much more that I could ever imagine. They were wonderful, very inspiring people, and while we were the facilitators, their spirit and positive energy, which they were so ready to use in order to initiate changes in their community when they go back, showed us what it actually means to be a ‘Peace-maker’.
For instance, I facilitated a public speaking activity, where they could share their stories in a safe space. It was the most mind-changing 2-hours of the week, as I listened to how the people with the kindest spirits, and brightest smiles suffered because of war, lost their loved ones and saw so many deaths. They were incredibly strong and powerful people, who could use their voice and stories to show the world, how indifferent we can be. How often we get so caught up by everyday problems that we don’t even recognize how extremely privileged we are to live, study and work in a safe place.
It was a week full of reflections both from the delegates and facilitators. We needed to process so many things! As facilitators, we had to adapt and be flexible with each other. We needed to be mindful of how we all need to rest, as everybody gave their 100%. We changed our timetables as we saw how in real life what’s more important and requires more time. This meant that sometimes we missed out on some people’s (once my) activities. It was the question of how well we can realize that it’s not about our pride, but to be an effective team.
All in all, I loved Mae Sot and I know that the people I met there will be always close to me, just as their inspiring positivity and energy.
