Winter Term Reflections

Hazel Tseng:

The winter term in Switzerland is the time to ski. As the place I lived before (Taiwan) doesn’t snow, this is my first year of learning to ski. At the beginning of the lesson, I got really nervous because I’d only skied twice in my life before coming here, and it was so many years ago that I basically forgot everything. Skiing is a really challenging sport for me, as it requires energy, skills, and most importantly for me, not being afraid of falling. I’m a careful person because I want to avoid mistakes that might get myself into trouble when doing everything, so when it comes to skiing, most of the time I’m traumatized by almost everything: going a bit too fast, seeing a huge, deep slope, watching other people crashing into an icy surface and getting injured, and more.

Immersed (when skiing)

Glints (the snow)

Exasperated (with myself)

Seize (the pole)

Trudge (through the snow)

Cower (behind others)

Maria Retana Harb:

My winter term was very exciting! I had a lot of fun and I can't believe it is already over. I would like to talk to you about my Top 5 moments and then I'll do a small (but general) description about this term.

Top 5:

1. I used to have a skiing group that was VERY fun. There was a girl that used to fall at least 5 times each lesson. I enjoyed skiing behind her so much because I pretty much had a VIP ticket to her great skiing skills (and also because she needed a hand every time she fell).

P.S: We make jokes about this all the time and I do not intend any type of harm with this content. (She is aware I am writing this.)

2. Last weeks of skiing: I changed my skiing group to a higher one and I skied on so many new slopes, I also got to work on my skills and I really think I progressed a lot. Yesterday was a really good day since the snow is way better now.

3. Getting to meet new people: Last term I kept my "friend circle" very closed. This term I finally opened up and started talking to new people. I think that there is also a very big difference because I wasn't as new as I was in the first term (obviously) and since I'm not going to be here next year I started enjoying the little things and now I don't want the school year to be over. This also brings me to my 4th point...

4. The expedition: Mostly no one was excited about this, whereas I on the other was really excited. I had a lot of fun and we laughed A LOT. We played music while skiing, took a lot of pictures and did some fun exercises/games like skiing on one ski, doing "360" while skiing down the mountain, etc. (The food was not very good though.)

5. Snowboarding: I was so excited to try snowboarding. Some people make it look really easy but it took me a while to get the hang of it. I had a lot of fun during lessons but the best thing is that I also went snowboarding on the weekends (with lessons of course) and I got to meet new people thanks to that.

These 3 months have been some of the best months in my life. I've really enjoyed it and I realised that enjoying the little things can make a really big difference in your life. I've also learned to appreciate what you have and be thankful for everything (even the bad things).

Muñeca Quitapena - The Worry Dolls

A trouble shared is a trouble halved!

Muñeca quitapena - worry dolls

Post an anonymous letter about a worry you have in the Peak Perspectives letter box outside the cafeteria and the muñeca quitapena - worry dolls - will do their best to reply with helpful advice, especially for you.

Here is our first letter:

“Dear worry dolls,

I need your help. I have been having trouble with a friend of mine. We had a small argument because she wouldn't leave me alone and I needed my personal space. We didn't speak to each other for weeks and she kept ignoring me. One day out of the blue she started acting like nothing had happened. It confused me.

I was still mad at her actions from the previous weeks.

Every time I see her she comes running towards me and hugs me which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable as I feel that our relationship has become more and more distant. I have tried to slowly move away from her but it hasn't worked. I'm scared to confront her as I don't want to hurt her but if I don't tell her someday it will end up hurting me.

I'm not sure who I should talk to. I have tried to explain my problem to my best friend and she has been very helpful but there isn't much she can do. My mum is busy most of the time so I can't find the right moment to talk to her about my situation. This has been hard on me as I mostly keep it to myself.

I used to have a decent relationship with my friend but it has always been a bit rocky and something felt a bit off. We were never the best of friends but we got along as we had many friends in common. There was a point where we became great friends but that fell apart very quickly. Our friendship has never been stable as we have our differences.

I feel like she has affected my mood as she is always negative. It affects me everyday as when she is down she brings all the people around her down too. She also puts pressure on me which I don't feel is right but as I'm too scared to confront her I stay quiet. This has not been good for my mental health as it makes it worse. What do you believe I should do? I need your help.

Sincerely, Friendship Wreck”

Dear Friendship Wreck,

We understand your situation. Here are some questions, which might help you : if she was less needy, would you possibly want to be friends with her ? Do you think it could eventually be a good friendship if you’re honest with each other?

From the things we've heard from you, we think you should tell her gently again that you’re the kind of person who often needs a bit of personal space. Try to say it in a nice way and leave open the possibility that you could be friends again. Ask your other friends to be nice to her too.

Maybe she hasn’t made many friends at school yet? Maybe she feels alone, can see that you are a nice person and just really needs a friend? Of course, her actions are a bit awkward and annoying, but maybe she is acting desperate because she craves some friendship and attention. Hopefully, if you are kind (but maintain a little distance) and you encourage your other friends to be kind to her too, her confidence may grow and she may feel able to be more relaxed and authentic and less needy. She may even make other friends, which would be ideal for everyone.

Being at an international boarding school can be tough: being far from family and old friends; people coming and going all the time… but it can also help you get to know yourself, know your own limits and empathise with other people who are quite different from you.

We think you are very brave for sharing this problem with us and you sound like a really good person.

Good luck,

The Worry Dolls.