Waiting...

Hey Everyone!

As I begin the next phase in my life, I was pleasently surprised to find a great number of people express their desire to keep in touch. I have been granted an oppertunity beyond anything I could have hoped for and am more than willing to share my experiences with all my friends and family back home. However, because I am anticipating a very busy lifestyle these next few years, individual or even group emails seemed out of the question. Thus, this blog... And though this should be more convienent than mail or email and I promise to try to keep up on it, it will inevitably fall behind. If nothing else, I'll try to keep photos posted.

For the next two years, I will be attending the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. For those of you who failed geography, Wales is a part of the UK. ;) The school is located on the Bristol Channel in a 12th century castle. The nearest town, Llantwit Major, is about 5 minutes away from the castle. There are about 300 students who attend from over 80 different countries making the atmosphere incredibly, uniquely diverse.
The College is a "college" only in the British sense in that is the last two years of secondary, or high school. Because I will be attending for two school years, this means I will have 5 years of high school before attending university. I will be back for a five week winter break and for the summer months.

The United World Colleges (UWCs) are found in ten locations around the world: Wales, New Mexico, Norway, Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Swaziland, Costa Rica, and India. They are supposedly also opening a new one in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Atlantic College (AC) was my first choice mostly because of the variety of classes it offers.

The mission statement of the UWC movement:

"Through international education, shared experience and community service, United World Colleges enable young people to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware, and committed to the ideals of peace and justice, understanding and cooperation through action and personal example."



If anyone has any other questions, feel free to comment. Or, the school's website is http://www.atlanticcollege.org


I leave in exactly a week!! I don't actually have to be at the school until the 12th but my family and I are going over ten days early to tour the area first. It feels strange sitting at home everyday while my sister and all my friends are at school. This in between stage is full of eager anticipation and a definate lost feeling. I've began to pack or at least consider packing. The trick is going to be not bringing too much stuff. I'll be sharing a small dorm room with three other people and won't have much room for extra possesions! If anyone has any recommendations for necesary items I may not think about, I'd love to hear your advice!

More blogs and pictures coming! Stay tuned...

Waiting, waiting, waiting,
Malia