Paolina

Paolina

I won't necessarily point out what i feel is the most interesting thing we //learnt// so far, but more what we've //done// so far. I really enjoyed annotating and analyzing the mission statements of both the IB and the College. I liked this for two main reasons-- a) it got me familiarized with the programme and the school I will be involved with for the next two years b) it was a good 'wake up' moment - after a summer of not really doing any official literary analysis (of course I think about the themes and literary features of books when I'm reading, but I never actually got to putting my thoughts down on paper), I thought this was a good way to start the course. That is to say, it was a good opening exercise.
 * What is the most interesting thing you have learned since the start of this class?**

I found that I connected better with the UWC values piece than the IB learner profile for several reasons. First of all, I felt that the bullet-point structure of the UWC values made the entire piece more accessible -- they were brief enough to not be boring walls of text, but still long enough to leave me with a sense of understanding. I sometimes feel that bullet-points can leave an audience feeling a bit confused, or they just don't give enough information, but I feel that these were well constructed. Another thing that contributed to my preference of the UWC values piece is their emphasis on the importance of being environmentally friendly citizens. This really made me feel connected -- I am an Environmental Systems & Studies student, so I obviously believe strongly in eco-friendliness.
 * With which points made did you agree most (in relation to the discussion re mission statements / learner profile/ UWC values)?**

There were several reasons that made me feel that I did not agree with -- or just did not like -- the IB learner profile. I feel that, although they did have valid points, they were all phrased so intimidatingly. It made me feel like the people who do IB were near perfect, and after completing the programme they just became practically super-people. I also felt it had a very imposing propaganda-like feel to it, which I did not find attractive at all. Also, the descriptions were so detailed and thorough that it seemed like there was no room for elaboration, and that if you did not fit the exact mold of their words, you would not be a valid candidate for the IB.
 * With which points did you disagree most (in relation to the discussion re mission statements / learner profile / UWC values)?**