The year is 2014. It’s February, and soon time for all the 10th graders in Norway to choose where and what they want to study the next three years. I had already decided I wanted to spend the next year at the local school and choose general studies. The reason behind this was because I was utterly determined to go on an exchange year, preferably to USA. And the only way I would be allowed to do this was if I first studied a year of general studies and then came back after my exchange year to finish school, take my exams, get my diploma etc. etc. General studies was my only option if I wanted to go out and discover a new country for a year, and so that’s what I chose.
An exchange year had always been my dream. I wanted to challenge myself, travel far away and stay there for a year, learn to speak fluent English, live with a host family, discover a completely new culture and have the experiences of my life. I couldn't think about anything else, and spent 60% of my time imagining what it would be like.
But then came a day that would challenge my desires and choices and twist my thoughts around forever. I said yes to a meeting with my academic adviser. Short version of our conversation:
"So, you’re taking an exchange year?”
- “Yes, I’m taking an exchange year to USA, and travelling with the organization AFS.”
“Have you ever heard about something called UWC?”
- “No ... ?”
“Well, I definitely think it’s something for you. They are international boarding schools around the world. There’s even one here in Sogn og Fjordane [my county]. You should check out their website.”
- “Oh, okay then.”
So I checked out the website -
- and so in a few days I went from firmly determined as to what I wanted, to wildly confused (and that’s putting it mild). I have to say I had quite a few emotional outbursts of frustration during that time. The more I read about UWC the more I wanted it, but that meant letting go of my USA-exchange-year-dream which I had had almost since kindergarten! It was a torn and complicated state of mind I was in.
A couple of months later I was a different person. Now UWC was all I wanted, and I was willing to give up my secure exchange year dream (nearly everyone can have an exchange year these days) and follow the high-risk dream of a United World College, where only 40 people got accepted each year. I hoped, I wished, I prayed, I dreamed I would get accepted into a school - any school, just as long as I got in. My life was suddenly filled with insecurity. For years I had thought I knew where I was going and what I was going to do. Now I didn’t even know if I’d be accepted, and least of all which continent I’d land on for two years if I got in.Truth to be told I was a wreck.
Random picture of beautiful RCN only 2 hours away from my home. Photo: me. Yes, I’ve been there! It’s amazing.
November came and I started my long awaited application. It consisted of some easy parts such as basic information about myself, a passport photo, my grades, and me and my parents’ signatures, and then there were the more difficult parts. I had to list “5 activities outside of school that you feel are reflective of who you are” (*posh British voice*), if there were any specific colleges I wished to go to (I listed UWC-USA and Pearson), and I needed a health “certificate" and two references from one current and one previous teacher. Then finally, the monster that almost killed my brain and mental health, an “Essay of no more than 750 words where you inform us of your background, your personality, what engages you and why you would like to attend a United World College”. I shudder just to think about it. 750 words is nothing. Really, nothing. But I know I shouldn’t complain. Compared to other countries (as I’ve heard), the UWC application process in Norway is quite simple.
Anyway, write it I did, and sent it all in a week before the deadline 1st of February. The wait that followed was horrid. 27th of February I got a letter saying I was called for an interview in Oslo. Only 65 applicants were called for interviews, so now my chances were fairly better! First I was in ecstasy, but then the nerves started creeping up my neck, and the week before my interview (9th of March) I felt more dead inside than alive. This 20 minute long interview would decide my future, perhaps where my whole life was headed, and it was more important to me than anything. For a while I thought it would never come. But then the 9th of March happened before I knew it. I went to my interview and talked to 5 other people, and when I got out? It was like someone had let all the air out of a balloon ready to burst. It was horrible. I couldn’t think of anything but all the stupid things I’d said and all I had prepared but not gotten an opportunity to say. I can, with a hand on my heart, say that the two weeks that followed after the interview were undoubtedly the worst weeks of my life. It was scary how far I actually fell into dark thoughts and extreme worries. But I won’t go into detail about that.
HOWEVER. Plot twist. The 20th of March, the day of the very rare solar eclipse just saying, I got the most awaited and scary letter of my life. And I opened it. And i read it. And BABOOM. It was like everything I’d prayed and wished for for over a year suddenly fell into place, with the small words printed on white paper: UWC Pearson College, Canada.
I had ended in Canada! I was going to Canada! The feelings I had were indescribable, the tears were heavy of joy, and the screams were, well, loud. I couldn’t believe it. Still can’t believe it. It’s the start of my very own adventure. My life is going to change. I am going to change. Nothing will ever be the same again. And I have never been more grateful and happy in my life. To sum it all up, this is how I felt when I got the letter (and it’s how I’ll feel flying to Canada):
... why won’t this gif load ...
And that’s the road so far. I’m counting the days. Before I know it, I’ll be half the world around, working for peace, making a difference, learning, understanding, reflecting, feeling, living a completely new life with amazing people from all around the world. Is this for real? God, I hope so.
(Thank you for your kind words Marie-Claude! I can’t wait to hear your story too! And to actually meet you in August. I can’t believe it’s happening, but it is! So excited :D )
