Pearson Adventures

My two years at Pearson has come to an end. I am truly sorry for not having posted regularly in my last term. Things have simply been too busy, too intense, and I have not dedicated much time to tumblr or the internet overall. However, consider this the last post here at the Pearson Adventures blog, because my adventures at Pearson have come to an end. Now, new adventures wait for me out there in the real world, a world that is much bigger than I could have imagined two years ago.

The end of Pearson was a good one. Perhaps it was the definition of ‘bittersweet’. It was good, but painful. Happy yet sad. In all the tears and goodbyes I saw and felt more love than I have ever experienced before. And thus, in a way, it was beautiful. I truly felt I got the closure I needed. It wasn’t abrupt and traumatic as last year. It was a slow process, a lot of conversations, a lot of thinking, silent appreciation, rituals. It was the closure I needed in order to be able to let go and move on. This summer is not going to be easy. Quite on the contrary, it will be rather painful. For now, I have had a week of vacation where I have ignored all feelings of grief and loss. I have postponed the moment of true realization – that I will not go back to Pearson. I know there is more processing to come, more feelings to be dealt with. But for now, I choose to ignore this (which I might regret later).

The most difficult question I get faced with here back in my hometown in Norway is: “How was it? How have you been doing?” Because what do I answer? It was simoultanously the best and the most difficult two years of my life. I have had the saddest and the happiest moments, the most wonderful and the most painful. It’s such a paradox. However, it is true that they have been the most transformative years of my life. It’s been an adventure. Not easy. But worth it.

And to anyone who’s wondering whether or not you should apply to a UWC -?

           Look to your heart. If there is the tiniest tingle in your heart of desire to know the world in such a way – then I encourage you to APPLY. However, please know that no UWC is a utopia. If you get accepted, come with an open heart and ready to be challenged and transformed. Don’t come with expectations – of anything, neither good nor bad. UWC is what you make it. For some people it’s the best years of their life, and for some people it’s not. And that’s okay. But I truly believe that the experience is what you make it. For me, the challenges and breakdowns were worth it because I told myself everyday to make the most out of the experience. And so I did. Even in the hardest of times, I looked to find light. I searched out the experiences that made me feel fulfilled. Sometimes it could be the simplest things. A campfire. Sharing a mango with a friend. Sunrise conversations. A late night hike. Anything. And thus, these years have been both the most amazing years and the most difficult. But I repeat, if you choose to make the most out of it and know that it all transforms you, then it is worth it. I am a better, more fulfilled and open person now because of Pearson. I have friends all over the world. And I feel possible. I feel capable of making change.

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and sent questions. You are all amazing and I wish you the best. And if you are applying next year: best of luck to you! I might still sometimes answer questions, but not regularly I’m afraid.

Sorry for not posting in a long time. Life here is so busy, and time is precious. I want to make the most out of every moment! However, here are some pictures from my second and last One World performance (the big show that Pearson puts up every year). We did 3 shows (one dress rehearsal and two shows), every time for an audience of nearly 700 people. It was crazy and amazing and beautiful memories. I was in general choir + two dance acts (an Afro-Peruvian dance, and a Caribbean Soca dance).

Answer pt. 2: YOU CAN DO IT!! Do your best in the application process, and in every other aspect of life (that are probably affected by your mind being so focused on getting into UWC) - just survive. That’s what I did. I did my very best on the application process, and as everything else (my life, my mental health, my friendships, my motivation) seemed to sink down into a dark and never ending pit, I survived. And I got into UWC, and as I started my life at Pearson, all those other aspects of my life got renewed and improved with time. Things got better. So don’t give up. Believe in yourself. And here’s my favorite poem to underline things:

Winter break is finally here, and I’ve traveled south to California to visit one of my very close co-years and friends. This term has been amazing but extremely exhausting, and block week (exam week) just raised the stress to new levels. That’s why it’s really great (and important) for us now to just take a break and not think about the IB (at least for a couple of days, you know): I’m really excited about being here in California and the adventures that are ahead. In a few days we are going to San Francisco, and then later on I’m traveling to Los Angeles to visit one of my second years as well. It will be weird not having a traditional Norwegian Christmas, but at the same time exciting to be able to experience something new during the holidays. I’ll try to update the blog! Sorry for being so irregular with my posts lately (third term to blame).