Noa – Student Portfolio

• Spend 15 minutes everyday after school remembering what I have learnt in every subject that day.

 

• Start to study at least 2 or 3 days before a test.

On September 14th there was a focus week dedicated to the study of refugees. The goal of this focus week was to be able to stand up, speak out for peace and a sustainable future. The aim is to be developing awareness, skills and qualities, individuals can become determined global citizens who recognise their ability to enact positive change.Our initial discussion consisted of basic questions like what a refugee is, where they come from and where they go. Learning the a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster was already a new concept to me. 

 

What is happening and why?

People are being forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster.

What factors have led to this crisis?

War, persecution or natural disaster.

 

The impact of this focus day upon me personally was unforgettable. My mindset has changed from not realising the importance of the situation to realising that if the setting was a reality to me I would want others to be responding to the refugee crisis. In general people don’t care enough about problems that are not directly affecting them because if you start to worry about others who is going to worry for you but they don’t realise that if everyone worried for someone else by default someone is going to end up worrying for you.

 

What could be some solutions?

Our community strive to make a difference by doing Local/College Services and GCs, advocating and making donations to effective programmes or raising funds.

The UWC movement is aiming to create 100 scholarships for refugees by being AWARE, being ABLE and taking ACTION.

What can be done to change the situation?

By taking informed, purposeful action, individuals and groups can act to contribute to the sustainable development of local and global communities.

 

How we act and what we think affect the future of our society and we actually take part in changing it for the better. Holding the right perspective for the right reasons and being influential to others will cause other people to be holding this perspective.

 

 

 

On the 11th of September 2017, I was offered a space on the Sichuan culture trek expedition. Lasting from the 16th of October to the 24th, this trip was allegedly the hardest trip.  I had never gone trekking before but I have always wanted to and what better way to start then by doing the hardest trek?

 

This was a challenging trip. It was an altitude trek of 4400 meters, 5 days above 3000 meters and 2 days above 4000 meters, carrying 20-25 kilograms for 6-8 hours per day walking on uneven terrain. Not only that, but there was expected to be a variety of whether conditions, including rain, hail and snow. The average maximum temperature was expected to be only 9.8°C and the minimum was -2.3°C.

 

On the 30th of October we went for a training day where we had to run around the school with our trekking bags on. This was only supposed to bea taste of what we were going to endure on the trip but it was harder and more physically draining then the trip itself turned out to be. 

 

16th of October – Arrival at Chengdu in the evening. Followed by cultural activities such as dinner at a traditional Sichuan hot pot restaurant and a viewing of a Sichuan opera.

 

17 of October – Arrival at Kangding.

A breakfast buffet was prepared the morning of. Then, a flight to Kangding 2560 meters above sea level. This was a big difference in altitude for us in a short amount of time as Chengdu is only 500 meters above sea level and Singapore is only 15 meters above sea level. This caused me to experience some light headedness and dizziness as I picked up my bags. The effort it took made me stumble and fall over, I struggled a lot.

Arrival at Sandaquio village where lunch was prepared by a local family.

 

18th of October – Trek 1 Day 1 Hiking distance: ~ 8.5 km, Level: Easy, Elevation: 3520m, +285m today

The last warm breakfast was followed by transportation to the trailhead to start hiking. The beginning started with a steeper incline than expected, however, arrival at camp was 2 hours before what was expected.

 

19th of October – Trek 1 Day 2 Hiking distance: ~ 8.5 km, Level: Easy, Elevation: 3520m, -285m today

Expedition cancelled due to safetly reasons.

 

Trek 2 Day 1

It rained lightly for the whole afternoon, but rain eventually turned to sleet and then into snow. It started snowing just as we arrived at camp. I was wet from the rain and cold from the snow. In the middle of the night I got cramps in both my legs and I was unable to move.

 

Trek 2 Day 2

Everything was covered in snow as it had snowed all night.

The conditions were too harsh to for us to continue the expedition as snow would be up to our knees, 40 centimeters in depth, at least.

 

Overall, although the trip did not go as planned, I explored a new culture, the Tibetan Kham Culture, I went trekking for the first time, I met a lot of new friends and I had a lot of fun