And where are they now? Here is a brief update about the participants of the trip and a comment from each as they were asked to reflect on their incredible experience 35 years on. Monica Lugato (UWCSEA 1976–1978), Italian scholar. Monica is a Professor of International Law at the School of Law, and Coordinator of the International Program in Law at Lumsa University, Rome, having achieved her PhD at the University of Rome La Sapienza. “The trip was a most amazing and enriching experience in all respects— what we saw, the people we met, the day-by-day getting along of the group, the constant challenge of being in unknown places, facing unknown languages and cultures. It had a deep impact on the shaping of my personality, my vision of life, my personal heritage— who I am. The interesting thing is that I have just come to realise that recently.” Nicolai Foong (UWCSEA 1971–1978) studied economics at Stanford and medicine at the University of Chicago and UCLA in California. He is an obstetrician/ gynaecologist in California with two private practices. In addition, he has also been the pro bono medical director of the Los Angeles Chinatown Free Clinic since 1998. Nicolai further volunteers his time each year to travel with a group of doctors to other parts of the world to lecture at local hospitals.
Paul says, “We were incredibly lucky to do the trip when we did—before Afghanistan was invaded by the Russians in 1980 and before the Shah of Iran was toppled in 1979. Either of these events would have made our passage difficult, if not impossible. The thing that stays in my mind most is traversing the Khyber Pass, something you would be unable to safely do today. It was the most rugged but breathtakingly beautiful landscape I have ever seen. It was the sort of trip that you would only think of when you are 18 and indestructible. It was a fantastic experience.” Hans Kleppa (UWCSEA 1977–1979) pursued pilot training in the Royal Norwegian Air Force. He currently works on the ground for Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) and has his own consultancy, Kleppa and Co, that recently project-managed Scandinavia’s largest marina expansion project. With a number of patents to his name, he was a driving force in the development of a new IT system for check-in and gate/ boarding control systems for SAS. Hans lives with his girlfriend outside Oslo and volunteers as a Common Law judge in the Appeals courts. About the trip, Hans says, “It is incredible how people across different countries seem kind and generous, regardless of their often modest or poor lot in life. Poverty was often rampant and often it was sad to see how religion and tradition both ‘usefully guide’ and ‘uselessly repress’ so many poor people. However, to personally ‘smell,’ experience and see up close, everyday lives that we otherwise
fly over at 30,000 feet, was awesome. And the biggest lesson learned? Basic education, more respect for the needs of the poor and a much better spread of the world’s wealth with healthy capitalism bridled by healthy socialism, seem so important for greater world congeniality.” Giorgio Conti (UWCSEA 1972–1974) was one of the first Italian scholarship students at UWCSEA. After leaving, he pursued European Studies at Lancaster University and is now CEO of Eurolib Srl, an Italian services company that works primarily with scientific research centres, hospitals, schools and universities. He has been involved with Libya over the years, most recently there to help with the repair of the hospitals, supplying equipment and technicians. Giorgio says, “I was invited on the Overland trip while I was the alumni representative on the International Board of Directors. I accepted whole-heartedly this opportunity. It gave me more reason to try and get a feeling of a region of the world that I had never visited. I cannot but be grateful to UWCSEA for the experiences it gave me which have helped in my work, especially in countries such as Nigeria and Libya.” Tony Dilley taught biology at UWCSEA from 1976 to 1981 and was Head of Biology at the time of the Overland trip. After the trip, he returned to Singapore and in 1981 married and returned to the UK. He read for a further degree at Balliol College, Oxford and set up an Oxfordbased educational trekking company taking trips to the Western Himalayas. After being Science Department Chair at Jakarta International School from ’84 to ’91 he returned again to the UK where he is now retired and writing. Recalling the experience of 35 years ago he says, “I was recruited at the last minute when the school required that a teacher accompany the group. This is the 35th anniversary of the first serious adventure undertaken by any UWC! The trip turned out to be more difficult than ever expected. Had we known then … !”
OneºNorth June 2013 9
About the trip, Nic says, “I volunteered to go because I was always an avid traveller, and did not want to miss an opportunity of a lifetime—which it was. I am so glad that I made the trip. It was a life-changing experience. It allowed me the rare opportunity to learn about the life and cultures of countries that are no longer safely available to young tourists; places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. The trip instilled in me an everlasting interest in global affairs. I can only hope that in this new, turbulent world, my two sons will be able to have a wonderful experience similar to the one I had.”
Paul Cummins (UWCSEA 1976–1978), Australian scholar. Paul went on to obtain a B.Ec.(Hons) at Australian National University (ANU) and worked for 25 years in the banking industry. His last role was to set up and run the compliance department for the Bank of China in Australia. Interestingly, his job on the trip was to look after the group’s finances! Since retiring, Paul has continued to do consultancy work. He has been together with his partner, Kevin, for over 20 years.