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Chesa Urezza Interviews
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For Head of House, Marie-Louise Brown, House Captain Carlotta (M6) and Deputy Captain Carole (IB2), the Chesa Urezza experience has been a mixed one. Leading the girls in the boarding house through a period affected by Covid has been an extra challenge they could have never expected when they joined. As all three reach their final weeks at the Lyceum, it seemed like a good time to catch up and chat about their experiences in the last 18 months and about their plans in the year ahead.
Für die Internatsleiterin Marie-Louise Brown, House Captain Carlotta (M6) und Deputy Captain Carole (IB2) sind die gemachten Erfahrungen in der Chesa Urezza mit gemischten Gefühlen verbunden. Die Mädchen im Internat durch eine von Covid geprägte Zeit zu führen, war eine zusätzliche Herausforderung, mit der sie bei ihrem Eintritt niemals hätten rechnen können. Da alle drei nun ihre letzten Wochen am Lyceum verbringen, schien es ein guter Zeitpunkt zu sein, sich zu treffen und über ihre Erfahrungen der vergangenen Monate sowie ihre Pläne für die Zukunft zu plaudern.
INTERVIEW WITH CARLOTTA AND CAROLE BY MARIELOUISE BROWN
I started by asking the girls to reflect upon their time as captains and how they managed this role in the pandemic.
“It was important to create a community even though we couldn’t do a lot! We really wanted to organise activities where people could bond,” explained Carlotta. Carole went on to say, “We had some cool things planned that we couldn’t do, that was frustrating.”
However, despite the restrictions, the girls had some highlights, which centred on all the extra-curricular and enrichment activities that have led them to make new friends and learn about their peers outside of the classroom. For example, Carole now snowboards thanks to the instructions of a friend in the house. Carlotta told me that having been a day student previously, the
transition to board gave her the chance to mix with many new circles of people so that she really got to have the full school experience. Given how well both girls settled into Urezza and boarding life I asked if they had any tips for girls joining the school or moving up to Urezza next year.
“Be open” and “Talk to everyone!” were the first responses. Carole elaborated by saying, “Get to know as many people as possible, people are here from everywhere, from all over the world, it is super cool. It is obvious you won’t be best friends with everyone but don’t be afraid to talk to everyone so you have a mix of girls that you know.” Carlotta added, “Enjoy the time here while it lasts, it goes so quickly!”
With IB exams starting at the end of April and Matura exams not much later, both girls have now just a few weeks remaining in Urezza and at the Lyceum. I asked them both what their plans are for life beyond the Engadin. Carole is keen to get home to Hong Kong where a warmer climate, beaches and she assures me, a tan awaits her! After this is the serious business of an internship also in Hong Kong before returning to Switzerland in February to study at EHL (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne). Carlotta is looking forward to travelling before having to focus on passing her entry test to study Medicine. After graduation, both girls also said that they are looking forward to joining the Zuoz Club, so they can be part of this impressive network for years to come.
My last question to the Captains was what would be their fondest memories of Chesa Urezza when they are travelling or lying on beaches in the summer and it was clear that their warmest recollections were inextricably linked to the friendships that they have made whilst being here. For Carlotta this ranged from the comfort of the Sunday evening catch-ups with friends to the carefree joy of a water fight! For Carole her best memories lie with the cooking of her friend and snowboarding guide Laura, whose baking skills have become legendary in the house to the extent that her collection of recipes were published in an Urezza cookbook! For both girls, the feeling of family amongst us, supportive through the tricky times and laughing through the fun times, has created the memories that will last a lifetime.
As Head of Urezza I could not have asked for a better group of girls to live with. They have made me laugh to the point of tears and have often fed me naughty treats when I am running on empty dashing through the building! They have struck the perfect balance of being serious about work but not serious about themselves, their open attitude has meant community living has quite simply worked. Carlotta and Carole have been the perfect embodiment of this. Thank you both for making Urezza a joyous home for me and my family.
INTERVIEW WITH MRS. BROWN BY CAROLE AND CARLOTTA
“Live in the moment!”, “Make the most of your time!”
This is what Mrs. Brown advised us when we asked her about any tips for the future. As the house mother of Chesa Urezza she made it possible for us to enjoy our boarding life as much as possible, also considering the COVID-19 pandemic. During the two years she spent in Chesa Urezza she committed herself to the House whilst being head of IB. So much so that she frustrated herself by constantly wanting to do more and better the house for “her girls”.
Mrs. Marie-Louise Brown, her husband Mr. Brown and their two children Theo and Asa came to live in the beautiful Swiss Alps of Zuoz in 2018. Before they came to live in Chesa Urezza they lived in the village. This allowed them to make contacts outside of school before entering the “bubble” - the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, more specifically the apartment on the first floor of Chesa Urezza.
She has been committed to Chesa Urezza and a great house mother and but behind her was also a great team of staff members, who always supported her, which she strongly emphasized during the interview. For the new house mother, she said, that especially in the beginning it is important to listen and observe and to determine what works within the boarding house and what doesn’t? However, you don’t have to control everything, sometimes it’s best to just let things be and let it take its own course. This probably led to the most memorable events within the house. Most importantly you should just enjoy it and get to know the girls. The rest will settle itself with time!
Mrs. Brown and her family even stayed in school during the lockdown in 2020. She enjoyed getting more involved with different areas in school which she normally wouldn’t have, such as working in the garden and the kitchen. This resulted in a feeling of “living as a family”. What she learned from the lockdown and the pandemic overall is the “pleasure in simple things”. Her highlights whilst being head of Chesa Urezza were getting to know and connect with people!
One thing, which she will definitely take from the Lyceum to her new school in England, is the celebration and acceptance of the cultures. She wants to make sure to create the same supporting community and kind atmosphere as we had in Chesa Urezza the past two years!
