Home is where I dress up.When I can wear clothes, it makes me feel whole, elegant and has so much history of the great things done by my people. It is moving with confidence and purpose, knowing the action of walking by and standing tall and firm, history is a very important and intriguing part of history. There is always something about the head being held up high in a cultural costume.There is always a feeling of importance and significance to the world. Makes you remember to stand for your people and make a difference. Seeing other people walking by in their costumes is always "Can we slow down time? I need to adore this". A wonderful creation; even though nothing might be said; the clothes tell the story. They carry battle scars to remind us of victory. One that always makes a statement is it is all of us , a community standing strong and together we make a difference, fly and "slay (>-<)"

I have always wanted to do something involving mental health and wellbeing. I have done my shared part for the strings I could pull; in most cases it just ended with online webinars and mental wellbeing book summaries. The wellness buddy program has been an opportunity to learn more about mental health and wellbeing and put everything I have learnt in action. Very much thankful for the training I have had in season 1, which helped me gain insight from people who have experience with the programme and moreover add professional information to it.I am excited to be there for other people and help them find peace of mind through various ways and just being someone who can offer that extra help in stressful situations and hopefully lessen the burden to helping them move forward into the next step of their life with more ease and courage. In simple words I can say I am here so you can vent and talk.

What exactly is a picturesque journey?Well, I may argue that the journey I went through throughout the production of War of the Worlds is it.Meeting a slew of new individuals and getting to know them as fellow cast members, learning to trust them, and developing deep bonds with them has been incredible. Creating something surreal that makes the audience feel like they are a part of it. Furthermore, I had the incredible opportunity to meet and work with successful theatre practitioners. It opened my eyes and showed me how theatre might be used after high school. This instilled a strong desire to perform and create.I'm looking forward to appearing in many more plays and musicals.

Standing on that stage and extending my first ever POI was a step into a new world for me.I enjoy being here because it gives me the feeling of standing among brilliant minds who devote their time to attempting to solve the problems that face our community, extending my ideas and discussing better solutions. I just know that this experience I'm gaining now will be a weapon to protect my community in the near future, and I couldn't be more proud of it.

In terms of service, I encountered some challenges while working with local organizations, but these experiences taught me valuable lessons in optimism and teamwork. I’ve made it a point to reflect at least once a month on the sessions I've participated in, and it’s always a rewarding experience. These reflections allow me to appreciate my growth and set new goals I aspire to achieve throughout my CAS journey at UWC.

Looking ahead, I anticipate challenges in adapting to a new schedule and routine that differs significantly from my more academically focused life back home. Nevertheless, I am eager to learn about different cultures, spend time with my new friends, and navigate the new curriculum.

Through CAS, I plan to keep evidence of my experiences and reflect on my personal growth by taking pictures and writing about the activities I engage in.

The experience I had this year was the perfect definition of "Home away from home " This dance being my last Culturama dance in UWC meant so much to me and I am glad through it I was able to learn more about Timor Leste a country that I didn't even know existed before UWC. I got to participate in the dance with a lot of people from different backgrounds and learn about how their cultures are similar or different from mine.

CAS has also deepened my connection to the UWC mission of making "education a force for peacebuilding." Through my involvement in various activities, I engaged in action for peacebuilding and developed practical skills like advocacy and negotiation. Embracing sustainability has become a fundamental part of my daily life, and I've established habits that I know will stay with me as I move forward.

Of course, there were challenges along the way, particularly in managing my time in a new environment filled with so many opportunities. Balancing CAS responsibilities with my academic commitments was a significant hurdle, but over time, I learned to navigate this balance. This experience has been invaluable, equipping me with the skills to prioritize work-life balance as I transition to the next stage of my life.

Looking ahead, I believe that CAS has broadened my understanding of diversity and cultural knowledge, which will be instrumental as I explore and learn about new cultures in the future.