Winter 2014-2015 Highlights

In partnership with

The United World College in Mostar 41 Winter - School Year 2014/2015

Project Weeks KEPASS Programme Cooperation Mostar High School Fair Winter Arts Festival UWC MOSTAR NEWSLETTER News News UWC MOSTAR NEWSLETTER

Winter 2014 issue: KEPASS News from Mostar Endowment "Bridge 2 KEPASS Programme Cooperation Programme to the Future" 3 Endowment Scholarships Cooperation Mostar Endowment “Bridge to the Future” announces two more scholarships: 4 European Anti-trafficking Day The Yitzhak Rabin Scholarship will sponsor each year alternately one Israeli and one Palestinian he Knowledge Ex- student at UWC Mostar! The Yitzhak Rabin Center www.rabincenter.org.il 4 Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program change Program for the Adriatic School System The Captain Mbaye Diagne scholarship will sponsor a student from either Rwanda or Senegal at 5 High School Fair (KEPASS) is a project UWC Mostar in perpetuity! Association du Capitaine Mbaye Diagne - Nekkinu Jàmm www.acmd- aimed at promoting undergraduates’T mobility at the peace.org 5 Education without discrimination secondary school level, responding 5 Ukranian delegation for the first time at to the growing need of a challeng- THE YITZHAK RABIN SCHOLARSHIP UWC Mostar ing and high quality education system from young students and The Yitzhak Rabin Centre in Rabin, dedicated his life to public and geographic periphery of the steeped in the tradition of advo- 5 Welcoming the German Parliament their parents. Israel and the Rabin Family are service because he believed that country and strengthen minori- cating equality and social change. The main goal of this program is honoured and excited to have if every person was equipped with ties. The Yitzhak Rabin Center is Both of us are doing our part. Delegation to give students, aged 17 or 18, a scholarship at UWC Mostar the tools necessary to excel, we the national institute dedicated Over the past decade, we have the opportunity to attend, for a endowed in Yitzhak Rabin’s name. could create a thriving Jewish, to his memory and it serves as been working with students and 5 Helping the refugee camp few months, a foreign school in ship with UWC Adriatic and with UWC’s mission of equipping the democratic state in the land of an education center and museum educators to empower individu- another Adriatic country, stress- State and Regional authorities and next generation with the knowl- Israel. In addition to my father’s devoted to his legacy. Now more als and communities, to promote 6 Winter Arts Festival ing how every education system education agencies from Albania, edge, skills, leadership qualities military and political legacy, he than ever, it is clear that heal- tolerance and understanding, to should emphasize the following BiH, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and and international values, neces- left an inheritance of social trans- ing the rifts in Israeli society and instil the values of democracy 6 Education for Peace aspects: Slovenia. sary to bridge divisions is laud- formation in the fields of educa- working to promote and protect and to nurture leadership so our 1. Challenge students to accept From September - December 2014, able. Certainly, education is the tion, healthcare and national the values of democracy, respon- younger generations have the 7 Musical “The Bridge” social and cultural changes, con- UWC Mostar had the pleasure of key which promotes understand- infrastructure as he persevered sible leadership and peace are as knowledge and the tools to face stantly growing in a more global- hosting 17 KEPASS programme ing. My father, Prime Minister to equalize educational opportu- relevant as they were the night the challenges that lay ahead. 7 Mostar Rock School concert ized environment, throughout students from Albania, Croatia, and Minister of Defence Yitzhak nity, reinforce the socio-economic of his assassination, November Your generosity ensures that my the exposure to other cultures. Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia 4, 1995. Our experiential educa- father’s life’s work will continue 7 Central European Cultural Week 2. Allow students to broader their who actively participated in the tional and outreach programs for to impact Israel and the region possibilities in terms of universi- life and work at UWC Mostar. soldiers and students strengthen for generations to come. It is my 7 Global Awareness - Human Rights Week ties’ choices. Within the programme students civil society and reach out to the sincere hope that this scholar- 3. Empower students to be more were exposed to different cultures next generation of leaders. Like ship will help bridge and connect 8 Winter Gala 2014 competitive in the global labour and languages; they experienced my father, the Center transcends students regardless of race and market. new teaching approaches and cur- differences between right/left, religion. 8 Clowning Workshop 4. Learn though the experience ricula; and were involved in various religious/secular and reflects the and get to know languages and extra-curricular activities. complexity of Israeli society. The Dalia Rabin - Yitzhak Rabin’s 8 “Laternenlaufen” cultures of other Adriatic coun- The transformational effect of the Yitzhak Rabin Centre and UWC daughter and Chair of the tries. KEPASS programme is related to Mostar share a symbiotic mission Yitzhak Rabin Centre 9 UWC Mostar Project Weeks self-development, flexibility, inter- Project officially started in 2012, cultural competences, develop- 10 Sarajevo Express - Volume I: Art Shots run by Italian Autonomous Region ment of new skills and languages THE CAPTAIN MBAYE DIAGNE SCHOLARSHIP Friuli Venezia Giulia in partner- acquired. 10 Project Refugee Camp in Podgorica I am very honoured and proud at the creation of a scholarship Montenegro in the name of my late hus- A week in Novi Sad, Serbia band. This must open our eyes 11 and show us the way towards 11 Vukovar, Croatia solidarity and towards love for our fellow human beings, for our 12 Project “Money, money, money” country and our planet as the way to achieve any success. May 12 Helpers of the Mother's Village the Lord assist us in all these endeavours and may the door very grateful to the UWC; and in- 13 Sarah Heim - Making global impact of happiness be open to all of deed, the decision of the Mostar us. Such a great honour really Endowment is a reason of pride 14 My life after UWC touches our hearts as members for the Senegalese. of Captain Mbaye Diagne’s family: Yacine Diagne - Widow of this is why our children and I are Captain Mbaya Diagne

Ukranian delegation for the first time at UWC Mostar n december 5th, UWC Mostar in Ukraine were welcomed by the UWC had the pleasure of welcoming Mostar management staff and informed 12 members of the Ukrainian about the work and impact in the local Delegation for the first time. community. Representatives from NGO The purpose of the study visit was to KyivO educational center “Tolerance”,NGO learn new ideas and examples of good High School Fair "Council of Young Scientists”, Charitable practices in the area of peace and European Anti-trafficking Day organization “Light of hope”, NGO conflict resolution, reconciliation, inter- Six UWC Mostar students suc- ties during the Fair and this year ”Centre for Enlightenment and Human religious and interethnic cooperation. he NGO “Novi put” in coopera- “Novi put” is an organization fighting children who made illustrations today According to her words, the most cessfully presented UWC Mostar we had the honour of being the Development” , NGO "Youth Center The topic is of great significance for tion with UWC Mostar students against against human trafficking and tried to express how they see the human frequent form of human trafficking was stand and all the privileges of co-organizers and hosts of the for Regional Development" ,Vin- the Ukrainian people given the current and the elementary school child abuse in BiH. trafficking and how they perceive child sexual exploitation and work exploitation. being the member of our family annual High School Quiz, which nitsa regional organization “Knowledge situation in the country. The study trip “Mujaga Komadina”, the 3rd and “We wish to send a message about the abuse, especially because they see UWC Mostar students joined “Novi put” at the annual Mostar High School took place at UWC Mostar prem- Society“,Village Council, Ostrytsa, has been organized within the project the 6th elementary school and presence of this problem in B&H, its children begging on the streets on a and local students at Španski trg in Fair. The fair was held from ises on November 19th. Hertsaevskij district, Cernovtsy region, “Common future of Ukrainian society theT Association of young psychologists recognizable forms and how to warn daily basis.” – said the president of the Mostar and marked the day of fighting October 18th - October 20th and The High School Fair in Mostar Public Service of Ukraine in Poltava, after the Maidan” implemented by DVV marked the European anti-trafficking day. the younger generations about this. The organization Edisa Demić. against human trafficking. in addition to school presenta- 2014 was organized by the City Institute of Postgraduated Pedagogical International and NGO Integration and tions also included numerous of Mostar, Ministry of Education, Education of Lugansk Region, Depart- Development Center for Information and activities. Culture, Science and Sports of ment of Management Education,NGO Research from Ukraine, financed by the A total of 22 high schools from Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, in “Democratic and social initiatives” and Federal Foreign Office, Germany. the City of Mostar presented cooperation with the OSCE Mis- Representative office DVV International Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program their programmed and activi- sion to BiH. This June I took part in the Science, Policy and Innovation section of the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program. I found out about YYGS program from the UWC Mostar college counselor in January 2014. I had heard a lot about leading political figures, whose alma matter was Yale, but the fact that YYGS Helping was offering the SPI section as part of the summer program and moreover, the fact that this science- focused section was happening for the first time got me very interested. I had previously participated in the refugee summer programs with a focus on youth leadership and YYGS would be, as it proved to be, a total novelty. camp fter receiving a thor- chance to represent a particular lenging in a university-level way, I UWC Mostar students to attend ough welcome packet stakeholder and understand the also think UWC Mostar and my IB this mind-changing program. very year in November UWC and being accepted dynamics of decision-making in subjects prepared me very well. I Rega Sota, Mostar students organize the in my top choice, SPI, moments of crisis. Throughout have my fingers-crossed for more UWC Mostar student, Albania annual "Flea Market" with the I could fill in a ques- the whole program, I also worked purpose of helping the Refugee Ationnaire to choose my seminars. with three other colleagues in “Education without Camp Tasovčići. A great number There was a gamut of topics a project on mitigating surgical ofE donations and visitors marked this to choose from, but I mostly errors and held a presentation on discrimination” year’s market. Our students spent the day focused on biological sciences. that. It was a serious approach to with the citizens of Mostar raising funds My seminars touched upon the an academic work and many ele- "Education without discrimination" is 1st place - Internacionalna privatna for the people of the refugee camp. We philosophy of science, vaccines, ments of its construction helped the name of the quiz contest which took gimnazija Mostar and Karađozbegova are pleased to say that the "Flea Market" vector-borne and noncommuni- me while writing my Extended place at UWC Mostar. The quiz was an in- Medresa action was extremely successful this year cable diseases and GMOs. Semi- Essay. tegral part of the High School Fair 2014. 2nd place - Gimnazija Mostar and UWC as well and all raised funds were donated nars were seven, quite engaging Two weeks ago, Melina and Students from 22 Mostar high schools Mostar to the Refugee Camp Tasovčići. and challenging and run by Yale I shared our experience in a participated in the formation of 11 teams. 3rd place - Gimnazija fra Grge Martića students and YYGS alumni. They YYGS info session at school. The The quiz contest dealt with topics and II Gimnazija usually happened once in two attendees found it very infor- related to human rights, conventions on days. It was a privilege being mative. It was revealing to see protection and promotion of children's able to attend lectures by Yale how many of the students had rights and education. professors on a daily basis. After questions that I had had, but had Head of OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambas- Welcoming the German Parliament Delegation each of them, I met with my forgotten once confronted with sador Jonathan Moore attended the quiz WC Mostar staff had the consisted of members of the German Embassy. The visit included a presenta- discussion group and scruti- the real environment at Yale. contest and addressed the participants honor of welcoming the Ger- Budenstag Ms. Heike Hansel, Mr. Peter tion on UWC Mostar, our work and impact nized the topic further. Halfway Many of the questions revolved and organizers. He expressed his sup- man Parliament (Bundestag) Stein and Mr. Uwe Kekerizt joined by the as well as interesting and informative through the program, everyone around the scale of difficulty of port and awarded top three teams of delegation on October 21, representative from BiH Mr. Sanjin Purgic conversations with six of UWC Mostar participated in a simulation of a the program. While I think YYGS the day. 2014. The visiting delegation and Mr. Frank Werner from the German students from Germany. drought and each of us got the is very transformative and chal- The winners of the contest: U

Winter Arts Festival Musical “The Bridge” roject cooperation “The he annual WAF 2014 took place from Bridge” between UWC December 7th until December 11th 2014. Mostar and University Official opening of the Winter Arts of Agder, Kristiansand Festival 2014 took place on Monday, Norway, resulted in a 8/12/2014 with 3D modeling CAS exhibi- Psuccessful musical performance at tionT in the premises of the Gymnasium Mostar. The the Youth Cultural center Abrašević. programme continued with Visual Arts exhibition The premiere of the musical took by UWC Mostar students and theatre play "Be- place on October 17th, 2014. tween Crime and Punishment" which took place at The musical was directed by the Youth Cultural Center Abrašević. professor Arve Konnestad and Winter Arts Festival programme 2014 also presents professor Randi Eidsaa from the wonderful dance performances including “The University of Agder, Norway. UWC Body talks” performances, and on the last days Mostar visual arts teacher Vladi- Mostar of the WAF all visitors had the pleasure to enjoy a mir Mičković and 17 UWC Mostar concert honoring Human Rights' Day. students along with UWC Mostar a modern version of Romeo and tively. The main intention of the Rock teacher Vesna Marić were part of Juliette and has been performed in musical project is cooperation and the musical/acting ensemble. Israel and Switzerland and adapted inclusion of musical traditions of Musical incorporated the theme of to the audience and actors respec- students from all over the world. School Education for Peace concert Peace school, organized by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republika Srpska , took place Central European Cultural Week from October 20th until October 25th and was a wonderful experience for UWC Mostar students. usic Center "Pa- he Central European varotti" hosted Forty one high school student was built with the help of the The most interesting part was awareness of other people, we Cultural week 2014 the first concert from Mostar, Stolac, Ljubuški, Ottomans, and it was destroyed mentioning the war itself. Since want to show that the war is over presented Germany, Po- of "Mostar Rock Konjic and Berkovići participated during the war and rebuilt after. BiH is a country of three equal and that we have to be tolerant land, Austria, Hungary School" for the and learned a lot about democ- We also passed by the corner- nationalities, we went to visit three one to another in order to have and Czech Republic. schoolM year 2014/2015. Theme racy and human rights, prejudice stone where Jewish synagogue different concentration camps in a peaceful life in this beautiful TheT elaborate and very interesting of the program was 50's and and stereotypes and break-up of is supposed to be. Later on we honor of all victims. Three men country. programme of the week included 60's music and UWC Mostar Yugoslavia. Every night we would visited Karađozbey's mosque, were going with us and when we This experience was more than various wonderful events. Hiking, students were among 10 group have a talk with a psychologist which is Mostar's most important arrived back to the hotel they told amazing, I would repeat it any Christmas cookie baking, tradition- performances. This was the about activities of the day. After mosque. Even though it has been the stories of their own experience day. We have learned a lot, but al dances Polka, Waltz, Krakowiak, first in a series of 5 thematic that we would have a theater damaged in the war, it is now from the camps. It was very hard also had so much fun while spend- stories and fairytales at Club cycles and 5 program me con- session where we would relax and renovated. During the visit we for us to listen to those stories ing time together. We all made Aleksa as well as fun competitions certs within the school year. discuss different topics. talked a little about the mosque since they were really moving. We great bonds and our friendships were among the creative events For more info on "Mostar Rock We also visited religious build- itself, but mostly about religion. asked questions and those men have not finished after this event. UWC Mostar students presented School" please visit ings in Mostar. We first went to Some of us climbed the stairs of answered with pure honesty. I hope that one day we will fulfill for everyone to enjoy. mostarrockschool.org Catholic church where the friar minaret to see the view from the On the last day we made plans our plans together. told us a story about Franciscan mosque. After this, we went to the that we will have to put into church and important details Orthodox Church and spent some action as soon as possible. The Mia Kajtaz, about religion itself. The church time there. plans are about raising the UWC Mostar student, BiH Global Awareness - Human Rights Week “Too often we are not aware of what is happening around the world. But we can learn, by being open and sharing. By being globally aware.” uman Rights Aware- lively discussions and covered a ness Week at UWC range of interesting world topics. Mostar started on The schedule included documenta- Monday, December ries and topics such as Refugees’ 1st, and presented rights in Lebanon, Legitimacy of interestingH and valuable time for social protests, as well as Global all participants. awareness session on human This years’ schedule presented rights and ethical globalization.

6 | Foundation Education in Action | Winter 2014/2015 | School year 2014-2015 Foundation Education in Action | Winter 2014/2015 | School year 2014-2015 | 7 UWC MOSTAR NEWSLETTER College Events Project weeks UWC MOSTAR NEWSLETTER Project Weeks 2014 Winter Gala 2014 Project Week is a perfect opportunity for UWC Mostar students to experience the challenges and beauties of outdoor raditionally every year well as moments from which one learning in a variety of adventures and projects organized throughout the country and nearby region. In a way, Project Winter Gala is the time can learn. Winter Gala 2014 took Week represents an extended community service, since it offers a great deal of flexibility and opportunities to plan, for reflections and the place in the Youth Cultural Center day that students and Abrašević with wonderful perfor- execute and learn from different experience. Students are challenged to apply their ideas in different areas ranging from staff spend to evaluate mances, thank you notes and kind different creative experience, challenging outdoor activities, active citizenship and social service in various institutions. theT past term. The most significant words and as always it served as a UWC Mostar organizes Project Weeks in October every year. and most positive moments are beautiful closure of the year. always emphasized and shared as Flooded areas in BiH - Žepče Project “Street Dogs” “Laternelaufen” 7 summits of the Balkans t. Martin’s holiday November 11th. In the evening on originated in France, St. Martin's Day there are lantern then spread to Ger- processions (“Laternelaufen” or many, Scandinavia, “Laternenumzüge”) in towns and and Eastern Europe. It cities all over Germany. Scelebrates the end of the agrarian UWC Mostar students marked year and the beginning of har- the German tradition and cel- vesting processions are held all ebrated the day with their own around Germany on St. Martin's “Laternenlaufen” in the City of Day. Many children build their Mostar. Exploring own lanterns in the run-up to A Team: “Gardening in Bugojno” Flora and Fauna of BiH Clowning Workshop On a bright and warm afternoon, the Clowning Service CAS received a Mahindra College alumni, Marie Brittain, for a series of workshops. Throughout the weekend, clowns got together in the park to learn about a different approach to clowning - the Medical Clowning.

he activities Marie Cooperation with planned introduced the students to this CSC Sarajevo approach, that focuses on using laughter as a medicine,T healing other parts of patient's needs. The workshops consisted of improvisational games and other activities that help to prepare the students to situations they might encounter when clowning. The Theatre of Freedom games aimed to show students how much non-verbal communica- tion is essential when clowning, especially in a different country, Hiking trip to Prenj The horse farm project and how much one must be able to rely on the group in order to make it work. - good clown and the importance they feel, what they like to do. ing its usual activities (which is Medical Clowning demands a of entering the patient's space Finding your inner clown, as we visiting other Service CASes with lot of understanding and acute carefully. saw from the workshop, is not an skits) and actually starting to pay observations - and the activities But one of the most important easy job at all! It takes a lot of regular visits to Mostar's Hospi- in the workshop reflected that goals of this workshop was to practice, reflection and a lot of tals to try to bring some joy and really well. Marie explained a bring up the students' inner letting go. fun to kids that have to spend lot of the elements that sur- clowns - to help them understand As a result from this weekend, most of their times there. round Medical Clowning, such as how their clowns react to situa- the Clowning Service CAS has Clara Marques, UWC Mostar agency of the patient, bad clown tions, how they go about life, how started thinking about expand- Volunteer, Brazil

Project weeks in the words of our students: A week in Novi Sad, Serbia From October 10th to October 13th a group of twelve United World College students, accompanied by Sarajevo Express - Volume I: Art Shots a teacher, visited Novi Sad, Serbia, for their project week. This project week was imagined as a mix- You can't put a price on art - until you don't have enough money to pay your electricity bills. That was the thought most ture of sports and service. of us had as we walked around the Charlama Depot Gallery in the dark, guided by its owner and contemporary Bosnian and Herzegovinian artist, Jusuf Hadzifejzovic. he first part of the running in a mass event and to school SOŠO 'Milan Petrović' star students were given a tour project was running a test their own abilities. Zuzana in Novi Sad. On Monday, the of the school and they even got ith a tiny torch he showed was horizontal, inclusive, motivational. that we wandered around, sometimes race which is a part of Kureckova from Czech Republic students arrived to the school, the chance to try pastries made us around the massive gal- In fact, the Charlama Gallery exemplified on our own, sometimes with others. the Novi Sad mara- won third place in the 25km race where they were welcomed by 20 by the bakers educated in the lery, where the walls were and expanded many of the topics our We visited museums, especially the Ars thon. (in the U-18 female category). students, the headmistress and school. The school focuses on covered from top to bottom group discussed during the week: what is Aevi collection and met with the Crvena EachT of the students, all recre- After getting some rest, the the school psychologist. providing students with knowl- with works of artists from art? How can you define contemporary Association for Arts and Culture and the ational runners, ran a length of students prepared for the second The students played games with edge which will allow them to allW over Europe. His collection of objects, art? Who needs art? Is it for everybody? Sarajevski Otvoreni Centar. The question their own choice. The purpose part of the Novi Sad project : the the students and made water find work after school. SOŠO paintings, plastic bottles, clothes and Our group saw Sarajevo as a breathing, then that arose was does art still have of this race was to experience visit to the special needs high colour paintings. The UWC Mo- Milan Petrovic also organizes photographs was immense and we were living being. The goal of our Project Week a purpose? What is the relationship workshops for adults where they lucky enough to get to know a bit about was to explore its visual arts panorama, between art and action? Can art change can earn the stories they carried. Works from to discover the hidden places that hold the world? How do people interact with a symbolic income. The school amateurs and renowned artists were ex- treasures and narratives, to understand the public space, especially in Sarajevo? also has boarding capacities for hibited side by side - Jusuf's philosophy the context in which art is produced. For Is art a priority? Should it be? students who live outside of Novi As a result of all these encounters, we Sad. The UWC Mostar students created a magazine as a collection of felt very welcome and the stu- responses to all these questions, our dents from SOŠO 'Milan Petrović' own personal response to Sarajevo. Not enjoyed the activities. a diary but a mixture of thoughts, of the ourselves and our context - and we hope Hopefully this successful coop- effects the people we've met and the that ''Sarajevo Express - Volume I: Art eration can be continued in the place we've been had on us. For us, art is Shots'' helps you understand how we future to mutual satisfaction of a catalyst for reflection, it has the power experienced and lived Sarajevo. both schools. to help us better understand our times, Anonymous Artists Ena Hašimbegović, UWC Mostar student, BiH Project Refugee Camp in Podgorica Montenegro Six UWC Mostar students from Italy, Belgium, United States, Slovenia and Montenegro, worked with the kindergarten and Visiting Vukovar, Croatia primary school children from the Kosovo Roma refugee Konik Camps I and II. Creative arts and music workshops engaged Traveling to a non-tourist city sounds boring and meaningless to many people, but to me, it is the best way to get to know and children to express themselves, followed by sessions on maintaining both personal and collective hygiene in the camps. understand a place. Being a tourist, you have the advantages to experience a city as much as you expect, but being a traveller, Finally, students distributed hygiene packages and clothes to the most needy from the community. I can always dissolve myself, neutrally without any expectations, into the local daily life and experience the living culture of the “I have never done any project like this II. Despite the efforts of the government, Children from the camps said they were invaluable for the development of the city. With this kind of traveller’s attitude, I joined the exchange to Vukovar in my Project Week. Looking back at my journey, I before, working at a refugee camp, or international and non-governmental happy to play and learn from the young children. would say this journey is a Metanoia, the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self, or way of life. with children from vulnerable groups. I organizations, a lot of work still remains UWC students. The teachers from the *Article source: http://www.un.org.me/ have heard so much about people who to be done, as this community faces kindergarten and the primary school news/1085/127/YOUTH-VOLUNTEERISM-WITHOUT- earching “Vukovar”, the beautiful and quiet park with no people. looser, reflecting through meeting dif- still too young too understand what is are living in rather difficult conditions, discrimination, exclusion and overall expressed hope such activities will be BOUNDARIES-TEACHING-BY-GIVING-LEARNING- images of the destruction in I still remember that there was a small ferent nice and friendly locals. Talking war and casualties. Quoting from the here in the Konik Camp, so I decided to poor living conditions in the camp. implemented in the future, as they are THROUGH-RECEIVING the recent war is always the grassland where a wooden cross stands with local students from Nicholas Tesla documentary produced by Vukovar come and help the kids. Initially, I was “I chose to do this project because I am primary suggestion given by straight among the lively green, where Technical School and the openness of local students, an old Croatian women quite shocked when I saw with my own from Podgorica and I often heard about Google. As Vukovar is current- you can find peace and natural beauty the new generation inspired me a lot. said “You wouldn’t know how people eyes the conditions these people live the camp. Although I have previously Sly one of the cities where the frontier of the city. Dandelions can also be found By watching the documentary produced hate each other, until they start to in. However, working with the kids and done volunteer work, I have never done between Croatia and Serbia is built everywhere in Vukovar, a sudden and by them, the reality of the post-war shoot each other.” seeing how energetic they are, as well as this type of work. This is because I right inside the city, it was also one of warm breeze comes along from the river city once was again presented in a Back in my hometown, rivalry starts to testifying to the commitment of people don’t think people in the country are the battle-front-sites in the war. Walk- brings a lots of dandelions’ seeds flying different way. There are really too many rise, within friends and family, among from the Red Cross – this was a really truly aware of the grave situation in the ing through the city, there are always in the air. The walks also allowed me to beautiful elements in the city, including communities and society. Living in nice experience”, said Ruaidhri Crofton, camp. With this in mind, I did not expect some destructive buildings beside the explore the city, other than its history, different people, different food, and post-war cities, no matter Vukovar from USA. children to participate actively in our newly re-constructed city centre. but also the sharing of people who live different buildings, presenting the actual or Mostar, I am always learning from The Konik camps are located 3 km from workshops. I also thought the children My host family’s student took me for there and truly experience the history history and life of Vukovar. The city is the history and people. Looking for a the centre of Podgorica, in one of the will be sad, due to the hard living condi- walks around the city, I observed and themselves. I was actually surprised by even more beautiful during this reborn peaceful society, the root of the peace most underdeveloped areas in terms tions they are faced with. Amazingly, the felt so much in each 30-40 minutes the attitudes of people there, although period, the true beauty is hidden inside and harmony has actually long grown of social, health, educational, environ- children were very enthusiastic: they walk. Inside Vukovar, other than those the war was just a recent period that every Vukovar local, where it was luckily within everybody’s hearts. mental, and physical infrastructure. Cur- drew with us, they danced with us and it abandoned destructive buildings, happened to this generation, the bonds discovered by me in this exchange trip. Tim Yung, UWC Mostar student, rently, some 1.500 Kosovo refugees of was beautiful”, said Miljana Cadjenovic, you can also always find yourself a of history have become much more Being a Hong Kong 17 year old girl, I am Hong Kong Roma ethnicity reside in the Camps I and Montenegro.

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and we were given an extensive presenta- Project “Money, money, money” tion of the monetary and banking systems or our project week, we traveled In this meeting we discussed the main that the chamber was a non-government in BiH. We learned about the structure of to Sarajevo to complete economics problem that the economy in BiH faces: organization, I asked him why it was in the central bank, its members and all of research. First, we attended a the education systems are extremely out the best interest of the economy to keep the positions they hold, and the monetary meeting at the Chamber of Foreign of line with the labor markets. We learned it private. He explained to me that it is to policy. We learned about the origins of Trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina. that this is due to the fact that overall, protect entrepreneurship and risk taking- the various marks and the the process of WeF were acquainted with Dr. Bruno Bojić, there is too much emphasis on individual key factors in developing an economy. developing a stable currency after many the Vice-President of the Foreign Trade interests and there is a failure to utilize Sometimes the government creates laws economically tumultuous years with the Chamber of BiH, who gave us a thorough statistics from the bureau of labor. Dr. and regulations that can hurt economic war. After the presentation, we were presentation on the purpose of the chamber, Bojić also discussed with us different po- risk taking, therefore the private status shown to a historical exhibition in which their mission, and their goals. We learned litical aspects that affect the economy. At of the chamber allows it to work against we observed a plethora of bank notes, bills, about the many under-utilized assets BiH the end, he encouraged each of us pres- laws that limit entrepreneurship. and coins from BiH in the past decades. has to offer, some of which were: ent him a question. Since he mentioned In our project week we also visited the This visit showed us how far BiH has come - a strategic location economically in the years following the - many available natural resources war. We learned that dealing with inflation - long traditions in different industry and stabilizing the currency with the Euro branches was not been an easy task to accomplish. - an abundance of industrial zones, at- Overall, it was an extremely enriching tractive sites, & available — production project week. We were able to bond as facilities. a group, to have interesting discussions with one another before and after our We also learned about the attractive meetings and throughout all our time sectors for economic investment in BiH, together. This project gave our group some of which include: the incredible opportunity to complete - metal economic research directly, to learn - wood more about the country we are living in - agriculture & food processing without ever having to open a textbook or - construction complete research online. - tourism Alisha Erozer, UWC Mostar student, USA Helpers of the Mother's Village One of the most fulfilling experiences in life is that of helping others, regardless of their background and present standpoint. Sarah Heim - Making global The goal achieved during the project week “Helpers of the Mother’sVillage” was far beyond expected, with students witness- ing numerous yet unusual things (especially international students) and having said that, had their core beliefs wooed. During impact our visit to Medjugorje, we have visited St. Francis Garden, Mother's Village and Comunita Cenacolo as our primary aims of UWC Mostar alumna, Sarah Heim joined the Semester at Sea in making a voluntary work. global impact. Semester at Sea study abroad program is administered in e paid a visit to St. Francis arranged a meeting with students ing support. and we asked questions. So simple, but conjunction with the University of Virginia as well as Enrichment Voyages, a Garden which is under the (children) living there. The fun and For the last day of our project, we really yet very effective because it served as Lifelong Learning Program, and the Forum on Global Engagement. supervision of Mother’s resourceful aspect of the whole experi- wanted to have a full round experience a process of getting more grounded and Village. Once arrived, we ence is the fact that children there have of Medjugorje, what it has to offer to in touch with the “inner being”, nature, ission statement of Sarah participated in the Social the socks the women in the camp were warmly welcomed very diverse backgrounds, as well range the people from literally, all kinds of God, or however you want to call it. This the Semestera st Innovation Challenge and along are making. Wby members of St. Francis Garden who from all ages. As introductory, we set backgrounds. Upon arriving, we slowly truly was a great experience, and once Sea is to educate with other participants discussed As a part of her CAS, Sarah has assigned us with our voluntary work. up a study session with students who headed towards Comunita Cenacolo, we headed back, our spirits were higher students with the ideas for using their knowledge volunteered in the Refugee camp For the most part, we were cleaning the requested help in different subjects in which is a Roman Catholic institution for then ever. global understanding and global education to make the Tasovčići for two years and has a garden from leafs and other minor dirt which we were able to provide them all people that struggle with addictions. To conclude, I would like to express a necessaryM to address the challeng- world a better place. Students lot of knowledge of the situation accumulated due to high traffic caused with knowledge. Later on we had a long Once there, we were warmly welcomed deep gratitude for being able to have es of our interdependent world. developed their own business in the camp as well as a personal by tourists. We spent the rest of the talk with them, incorporating a short by some of the members, including the opportunity to participate in such Their unique shipboard program plans to launch an entrepreneur- connection to the local people. day occupied with our duties, as well as interactive language “course” (including a man from the US and another man a great project, that has influenced me integrates multiple-country study, ial venture that would benefit the Her project shows her great exploring the garden later on. What was numerous languages due to the diversity from Croatia, who have been there for positively. We learned and experienced interdisciplinary coursework, global community. commitment and wonderful en- fascinating were the figures, statues and of UWC students) and a general talk of quite some time. The first impression of many new things, and that is the only and hands-on field experiences Along with four other students trepreneurial spirit which would the overall cleanliness of the garden. what and how they see themselves now these men was out of this world, their way we can progress, by helping others for meaningful engagement in - Dieneke De Weerd, Jacob benefit and help the people of Under a positive impression, we headed and in the future. This offered all of us aura was positive and their smiles were and attaining knowledge through action the global community. It intro- Reshetar, Anna Roth and Tobias the refugee camp. back to Mostar, excited for what is about a great perspective, and gave us a lot precious. I must admit that personally, and service. duces undergraduate students to Rothof, UWC Mostar alumna Project “Pape for People” is to come in the upcoming days. to think about. With all these thoughts I was at that very moment influenced global and comparative studies by Sarah Heim developed a business definitely making an impact and On our second day in Medjugorje we and ideas, once again, we went back to in a way that cannot be explained. They Marko Rojnica, focusing on structural and social plan to sell “pape" socks made Sarah is carrying on the spirit, went straight to Mother’s Village and Mostar, intrigued and happy for provid- told us their life stories and struggles, UWC Mostar student, BiH changes taking place in the world in the Tasovčiči Refugee Camp in mission and values of UWC Mo- today. BiH. The idea was to help market star.

My life after UWC Each and every student has heard it hundreds of times, so I won’t be another person who says “cherish everything” (even though you should, because so many people are not saying that for no reason)…

ecision was made; ately say “No, I’m still the same Let the world know that there is you’re going here or person”. The thing is, I haven’t United World College movement, there, to study, to noticed those small changes, as that there is a small place called work, to volunteer, they happened gradually through- Mostar which is for all of us the IMPRESSUM join the army or to out those two years, so only when most special place in the world. enjoyD in gap year. But “going” is it was all done I actually realized Let them know how amazing it Editor: Adla Velagić - Ćurić, the key word. And what hap- how different and matured I am. was, how many good friends we PR and Communications pens then? After spending two I grew up. In the most beautiful have met there, how wiser and United World College in Mostar years constantly surrounded by surrounding ever. Because UWC more-aware of the world are we Design: Shift creative agency, Mostar people who were/are exposed to doesn’t teach you only academ- now. the more or less similar condi- ics, or English language. It doesn’t And let the world know that each tions – living away from parents, just make you more tolerant or one of us now has a whole world in United World College in Mostar interacting with peers from all teach you how to deal with stress the palm of a hand… Spanski trg 1, over the world, struggling with and problems. Being in a place 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina IB, not having enough sleep and where teachers are firstly your Nataša Zlokapa, UWC Mostar Tel: +387 (36) 320 601, 323 273, so on, our small UWC-bubble had friends, where you live with so alumna 2014 burst. That feeling of me entering many different people, where you Fax: +387 (36) 319 926 the bus and leaving Mostar for the take uncommon challenges daily E-mail:[email protected] final time, after graduation, is one and develop your personality and Upcoming calendar of the most horrible feelings I’ve yourself more throughout every events Foundation Education in Action ever felt. It was difficult, but harsh single experience, I can surely say January 12th reality is that life goes on. And just that UWC teaches you, besides Beginning of the second term Skenderija 33, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina then you realize how much UWC everything already stated and February 2nd actually did affect you. much more, the most important Trial exams start Tel: +387 33 212 083, 557 995, Whenever anyone had asked me lesson – how to live. That kind of March 1st Fax: +387 (33) 557 996 during two years spent in Mostar knowledge is impossible to get in National Independence Day E-mail:[email protected] have I changed, I would immedi- any other school.

14 | Foundation Education in Action | Winter 2014/2015 | School year 2014-2015