CAMPUS AS CLASSROOM

Aiden Wasserman ’24

The opportunity to participate in the 2022 Round Square International Conference in Oxford was an experience that I will never forget. What was most impactful to me were the connections that were formed between delegates and the sense of community that was felt. This picture is from the second day of the conference in Oxford. We were all still a little jet lagged and tired but ready to learn and connect with the other delegates. We all got ready and headed to the Oxford Theatre, an expansive theater hidden away from the rest of Oxford in a small corner entrance. Entering the theater was magical—lights shining from the stage, the chattering noise of hundreds of delegates talking, and the red velvet seats. Pictured here is our delegation right before the start of a keynote speaker’s presentation. As you can see, there are no boundaries between countries, schools, cultures, or delegates—we are all equal in this bigger-than-life space. In the photo, we are sitting next to a South African school, and one of their delegates is in the bottom left corner of the picture.

This picture is significant because it shows a snapshot of an experience that was incredibly special during the conference. Talking to other delegates was my favorite part of the conference. Being able to understand another person’s culture, even if it was just through stories, is a rewarding experience. Meeting these new people has broadened my view of the world and left me with new experiences and stories that I’ll never forget. I have learned new things about sustainability and internationalism from these people, and I will definitely apply these practices in my own life. I met many new people in that theater and formed relationships I’m sure will continue into the future.

Kylie

Oh ’24

In this photograph, I was with a few students from Hackley and with others from such countries as Chile, South Africa, and Switzerland. We are pictured in front of St. David’s Cathedral in Wales on our last day at the Round Square International Conference, and we had just concluded a scavenger hunt that had us exploring various parts of St. David’s. The scavenger hunt led us to this breathtaking site. The cathedral was hidden away, so it was a complete surprise when we turned the corner and saw the expansive landscape that captured the beauty of Wales and of the conference as a whole.

This photo represents, for me, the essence of the conference and its lasting impact. The combined opportunities of getting to see extraordinary landmarks and cities, while meeting people from so many parts of the world, provided me with the most unique learning experience.

Part of this stemmed from leaders passionately speaking about their views on sustainability, leaving me feeling both inspired and motivated. And while the speakers were incredibly influential, I found the most inspiration and value from the lessons learned through simply spending time with fellow delegates, and sharing parts of our lives and opening up to one another. All the interactions we shared—including the ones during meals, costeering, yoga, card games, and watching the sunset—taught me more than I could have imagined and will certainly stay with me throughout my life.

Although my time at the conference lasted less than a week, the friendships I created during my time in Oxford and Wales are some of the most meaningful connections I have ever formed. It was truly a privilege and an unforgettable opportunity to be part of such an incredible undertaking where dozens of countries, cultures, and perspectives were brought together.