Uttarakhand Relief Fund

After reading the Prime Minster’s appeal to raise funds to support the Uttrakhand flood victims in the newspaper, I was inspired to take the initiative to do my own bit.

I approached my family, friends, and my father’s business colleagues to provide monetary aid to the victims. I did this by writing a short appeal which contained information about the victims, the death toll, the present situation and problems over there which needed immediate attention. This appeal was presented to each donor and the donors were then asked for any amount of donation that they wished to donate. After visiting about 25 different donors over a period of 3 days, I was able to raise a total of Rs. 35,000. Immediately after the donations were collected, I went to the bank with my father to deposit the amount into the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). For accountability, each of the donors was provided with a receipt of the donated funds afterwards.

Having never done such a thing earlier, I felt satisfied like never before. This act would not have been possible without the support of my parents, who urged me to take up this initiative, and the donors, without whom the aid could not have been provided.

Shivanshu Gupta
Gurgaon, NCR
India

Tanzania 2013

It's August now and even though my journey to Tanzania was in June, it still feels like it was yesterday. Fernando Pessoa said in his famous work 'The Book of Disquiet': "Life is whatever we make it. The traveller is the journey. What we see is not what we see but who we are".

One can of course argue about that, but for me it is true. When the plane took off in Amsterdam in the direction of Tanzania, I didn't really know what to expect. I was excited, especially as people from our school who were on this trip before told all the time how amazing it was, and also I was nervous. You may say, I had great expectations. And yes, it was great. Maybe even better than I could have ever expected it. We were in an international school and it was almost a camp, as other schools from all over the world were there too. Berne, Cairo and two from Dubai. Our school was the smallest school, but in the end we all mixed up anyway, so the people from the camp couldn't really tell from which school we were. We just all mixed up and for me, those 10 days were probably one of the best 10 days ever. We helped in a school, painted a building, made desks, supported them with school supplied such as books and pens. We played with the kids and on other days, we went off to a village on the Kilimanjaro and helped there to plant Avocado trees.

We worked with the people and that was great. I actually became friends with people from my school I didn't like before and we saw as much of Tanzania as you could see in 10 days. We went on a 3 day Safari tour in different places, we saw native tribes, we visited a Massai village … I could go on like that for ages. But all I can really say that - it maybe didn't change my life, but it definitely made it better. As Pessoa said, it's all about how you see things. Who you are. Coming from a wealthy country where you've everything to a place where people have nothing is a huge difference, but this showed me to a certain extent how easy life can be. Free from responsibilites. Just … live. In the time I was in Tanzania I was happy. We were always busy working or talking or playing some random games. Call it back to basics if you want to. It was so different from your "normal" life, it was almost an escape. An escape where you actually do something to help other people, no matter if it's helping in a school, planting trees or visiting an orpahnage.

So before I go on like that forever- it was such a unique experience that will stay forever in my heart and I wanted to say thank you to my school and to our amazing teachers that made this trip possible.

Hugs.

Natalia
Zugerberg
Switzerland

Grown Up Choices

The Future is sometimes scary to think about. Especially when it's just about time to fly the nest and strike out on your own. It is exciting and thrilling, but you never know quite what to expect. You can never know for certain that what you are planning for your future will succeed. Nevertheless, we plan, dream and hope for the best.

Young people that finish High School in my area go on to hundreds of different occupations and lives, I could not possibly describe them all. I personally know people that want to be marine biologists, engineers, international business people, politicians, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, photographers, linguists, architects, authors, and even a missionary elementary teacher in Africa. I know some people that don’t want to go to college, and are perfectly happy to go straight into the workforce after high school. I know people that went to college, dropped out, and are now going back to school and working at the same time.

For those that do go on to a higher education, there are a seemingly infinite supply of Universities and Colleges to choose from in the US. There are of course the Ivy Leagues and other famous Universities that have gained much renown over the years, and anybody could recognize their names. There are also local community colleges, state Universities, private Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, and many more. What we all try to do is find a list of places that are good at teaching what you want to study, are on your intellectual level, and you like to be there. That last one is very important for those that plan on all four years of undergraduate college. There are places in cities, in rural areas, big campuses, small campuses, and many other factors.

Then there is the whole messy business of worrying over ACT and SAT scores, GPA, extra-curricular  applying and essays, freaking out over cost and scholarships and financial aid, being accepted into hopefully AT LEAST one college, then deciding on which one to go to that has accepted you, figuring out which classes to take and then moving into a dorm. Most of that goes on while trying to graduate from high school. I really don’t know how I’m going to survive that.

In my last post, I told readers about part of my summer college search, but neglected to mention my future ambitions with an occupation. At the moment I plan to major in Anthropology and Art History in undergraduate. My life’s goal had been to get a doctorate, but the problem presenting itself at the moment is that too many subjects interest me! Who knows, maybe I’ll get more than one degree! For now Anthropology seems a good topic to learn a lot of stuff (It IS the study of the human race after all!), and Art is one of the most constant interests of my life.

We shall see! Here’s to the Future!


Maggie
Fairhope, AL
USA

What I Want to do After High School

My dream is Journalism. I'm not quite sure yet of which kind, but definitely Journalism. Something to do with Sports would be amazing, or writing for the Times in London or New York. Who knows ;) It would be my dream and I know it's hard to get a job and be good in this area, but I'm ready to take all arising challenges.

After high school I always wanted to have a gap year, but now I think it's better until I've at least my bachelor and be 21 to do this. I want to go the UK - England or Scottland, I don't mind. My number 1 would be King's College in London, but to be accepted to Glasgow or Edinburgh would not leave me unhappy. I'm excited for college and I believe that already now, in high school and especially IB, we have a chance to be already prepared for that. In our school, we get many chances to do interesting things, which will also look amazing on the CV- and in the end, you always want to have something that will make the universities accept you and not the other person.

In case UK will fail, which I really don't hope!, I'll probably apply to the American University of Paris, as they have lower requirements and also interesting courses and it would be nice to live in Paris- I mean, why not? Sure, I'd prefer to go to UK though.

In the end of August I'm going to hit the UK and visit the 3 universities I listed above and I can't tell how excited I am. I miss London a lot and I can't wait to see my beloved Scottish Highlands again. I fell in love 2 years ago and this and the fact that UK has the top universities made me want to go there for my studies. And living in London for 3 or 4 years? I'm up to it right now.

Hugs

Natalia 

Zugerberg 

Switzerland 

When it’s Time Grow up...

Once there was a time when every father in India wanted their son to be either a doctor, engineer or cricketer. Had their son achieved any of these professions, they would be proud parents and would have the license to brag in the neighborhood. The daughters job would be to stay at home and serve her father. Luckily enough, people have changed with time and now all children have the liberty to dream and work towards their dreams. Take a random survey and you’ll find young boys and girls wanting to become interior designers, property dealers, fashion designers and myriads of other things. Now that children are free to decide their own future (at least in most households), it is their call to decide which college or university they want to go to. Thanks to IB, international placements are far more easier for indian students.

I live in Mumbai, a city filled with colleges and universities that offer courses for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After passing through high school, one would see many students taking up courses in one of these colleges however, some may go ahead and prepare for SAT’s or IELTS for a more cultural experience or in hope to find a job in another country. Although a lot depends on the financial status of their family. Those who are well off financially may dream to get a place in universities abroad such as NYU, Kings, LSE or even MIT. The others however, may try their best to get a scholarship. This creates a lot of competition amongst the youngsters in turn motivating them to work hard. Apart from studies, internships are also getting common amongst college going students in attempt to get experience and also make their résumé as attractive as possible. On the other hand, there are also a few kids who choose to drop out of college and join their huge family businesses.

I personally am hoping to get into the HR college of Bombay University to pursue a degree of Bachelors in Management Studies (BMS) and further do MBA abroad specializing in marketing. My primary plan is join my dad at Sheetal Manufacturing Company and then further develop my own projects. So this is the what the after school life in India looks like in the current years with the increasing scope in different fields as the country goes through its industrialization stage.


Parth
Aamby
India

I Lied !!!

So, I realize that I informed readers that there would be articles every month from the student editors.

Guess what?...I lied.

Exams took my coordinating tactics by surprise in the month of June, when every editor emailed me in a frenzied zombie state of test induced hysterics. In order not to burden our darling editors too badly, I gave them the month off.

So what have they been doing? Natalia finished exams and went to Tanzania. Andrea is completing her extended essay and internal assessments. Parth has exams and extended essay things to do. Leila is busy with internals and is traveling. The last time I heard from Sam he was doing exams as well.

What am I doing you ask? Since I finished the school year in May, I already finished exams. What I just finished doing actually ties in wonderfully with what next month's topic is about! We will be talking about life after High School, and I just finished a week long tour of colleges with my Mother.

We started off at a brisk 6:00AM with our lucky action figures and favorite radio station!

We ended up at the University of the South in Tennessee! We got a wonderful tour! (me on the right the guide on the left)

 

On our six hour drive to Ohio, we stopped to see Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. I also found the BEST bandages EVER at the gift shop!!!!!!

We finally got to Ohio and and Kenyon College. It is a beautiful place founded in 1824, and at the top of my list!

Next we drove to Virginia and Washington & Lee University. It is a very old and history filled place with A LOT of columns!

After that we went to Furman University in South Carolina and Emory University in Georgia! Unfortunately we neglected to take pictures there!

There you have it! That was what I did last week! This week I traveled to Florida to be with my Grandparents and cousins (They flew in from Hawaii, and I have not seen them in a year!)

Look forward to the editors talking about their futures next month, and I hope you enjoy!

Maggie
Fairhope, AL
USA

Music: A Never Ending Love

When this blog was started, I was not sure whether or not to participate. However, after taking a quick glance at the blog and reading a few posts, the choice was clear. Even after hearing that it would be international, I was surprised when I saw posts that were written by other IB students on the other side of the globe. I suddenly felt the need to interact with this international community that we are all a part of. The next step was to decide what to write about. Being more inclined in Math and Science, I saw many challenges awaiting me in the future of my blogging. After brainstorming for a few minutes, I decided that I should write about something that I find appealing. I made a list in my head, and as I did so I had a wonderful idea. I was listening to the music coming out of the speakers of my computer.

Music is a beautiful sound to my ear. It calms me in stressful times, encourages me when discouraged, builds me up before a race, starts off a morning, and tops off a great day. I listen to music on a daily basis, no matter the situation. It is one of the many things in this world that I can say I truly love. I have always had a love for music. Whether it be singing along to Creedence Clearwater Revival, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, and AC/DC as a young child, or the present where I listen to almost anything, music has always been a part of my life. In the song “Luckenbach, Texas”, Waylon Jennings sings, “The only two things in life that make it worth living, are guitars that tune good and firm feeling women”. Music is definitely one of many things that makes my life worth living. 

I took piano for two years when I was younger. This consisted of a one year period in third grade and another year in seventh grade. From a personal point of view, I was not that bad. I learned to play by ear and by reading sheet music. At the time, I loved playing, but I didn’t, however, love practicing as much. I also hated playing classical music, which my piano instructor loved. Instead, I wanted to play classic rock. After months and months of begging, I went out of my way to buy a piano book that had classic rock songs in it. After a few more weeks of begging, she taught me how to play “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. Even though I have lost most of my talent, I can still play that song just as well as I could four years ago. Now, I wish I had kept playing the piano and advanced my musical abilities. It is not too late though, and hopefully one day  I will learn how to play an instrument.

Music is a language of its own. At one point during Theory of Knowledge, we discussed whether or not music is an actual language. I am not sure if we ever reached a conclusion between all of the confusion and mind blowing thinking we did in Theory of Knowledge. However, based on my personal criteria, I would say that music is a language any day. Behind every song, there are meaning and symbols. Behind every word, every musical note, every draft, every minute put into the song, there is a purpose. Musical artists put their lives, hard work, time, and emotion into their songs. They use their feelings to create these wonderful masterpieces. At a concert I attended, Chris Cornell said, “You never know when you will have an idea. I was driving down the interstate one day, pulled over on the side of the road, and wrote this song.” He then proceeded to play “Black Hole Sun”, which is one of his best songs. It amazes me that he came up with such great work in such a place. The emotion put into a song also effects the emotions of the person listening to the song. For example, I know someone who cries every time they hear the song “The Christmas Shoes”. Music can change a mood, whether it be for the better or worst. It can relax, calm, excite, and maintain emotions.

One of the greatest things about music is a memory. Music creates memories, and allows you to relive them. I can connect different songs with different moments in my life. I can remember dancing to “Born on the Bayou” on the way to Evergreen to hunt with my dad. I can remember listening to Metallica on the way to work when I was in Elementary School, and getting in trouble for reading the lyrics and accidentally cursing. I can remember listening to John Mellencamp on the way to church. In the song “Sing Me Back Home”, Merle Haggard sings, “Let him sing me back home, with a song I used to hear. And let my old memories, come alive. Take me away, and turn back the years. And sing me back home, before I die”.

I hope that music continues to be a part of my life until my last day on this beautiful Earth. I hope that it continues to make wonderful memories, free me of stress, and give me something to enjoy no matter how I feel. As I finish this article, while listening to relaxing country music, I feel like I have made the right decision to interact with this international community. I hope that all of you, whether you love music or not, allow it to be a part of your life.


Josh
Fairhope
USA