By Elena Modesti, Climate Activist team October 2024
If you are thinking about joining CICD, or you have already taken that decision, you might be building up some expectations in your mind. Naturally, I did too, when I decided to join. And that is why here I will share with you my thoughts and expectations – compared to what I found here at CICD, so that some of your questions might find answers and bring you closer to this experience.
What will the atmosphere and nature be like?
When I started imagining what the place would be like, my primary thought went to what kind of atmosphere I would find at the College, hoping that it would be immersed in nature and full of animals, wild or not… and that is exactly what I found. CICD is located in the picturesque English countryside, which allows you to take lots of scenic walks and follow nice bike routes. The place itself has many open spaces within; the calm and quiet of its surroundings make it the perfect place for reflection and contemplation, something I definitely sought after the turmoil of university life, without exclusion of more dynamic activities.
What kind of people are here?
Quite obviously, my second thought went to the kind of people that I would meet, since I wasn’t sure that it would be easy to feel at ease and make friends. But on the contrary, I found a happy and cheerful environment, where I was able to fit just fine and where I was welcomed as soon as I arrived. A big part of this openness, I realised, derives from the many international cultures that coexist at the college, because everyone has a different background and is proud and happy to share it and learn more about the others.
What are the rooms and common areas like?
Meanwhile, on what concerns the accommodation, I knew that the buildings where the rooms are located would need some repairing work, as they are quite old, but I honestly did not expect that much work. It is true that everything works and all the necessities are provided, but the first impression did in fact leave me a bit doubtful. Nevertheless, my fears disappeared with the passing of time, where I saw for myself that the building were indeed being tidied constantly and worked just fine, even if their old appearance may have suggested otherwise. Yes, some things might require some wit from your part in order to use them, but that helps with getting a grasp on how things can be in the real world – and it helps to improve your solving problem skills.
What is important here is to understand that the College is run by the people for the people, who are working autonomously to bring it back to its full potential. Since things are run by students, teachers and volunteers alike, mostly without outside help, they take time to be fixed and that time might not always be available between lessons and other activities.
Organisation and responsibility: Everyone is the College
On this note, CICD and its people are very organised, something I did not imagine even though I believed there was some kind of planning for sure. Each person has something different to clean every week and there are cooking turns too, while there are also some responsibilities areas assigned to the students (like accommodation management, health and safety, …). Nothing is left out and everyone has an active part in keeping the common areas clean and ready to use; everyone is responsible for the College structure, everyone is the College, all sharing and showing the underlying sense of community.
Will I learn enough at “Another kind of School”?
Then, when it comes to the school and the schooling structure, I did not think it would be similar to the one I was used to, characterised by a hierarchy and a definite program. However, this is “another kind of school”, as you will find out if you join CICD. This challenges the common unidirectional relationship between teacher and student by proposing a more equal level between the two and whose program can be discussed, redefined and redirected also by us students. On the fact that there is a lot to learn reality matched my imagination in toto, with both a theoretical part and hands on practical actions, just like I was told when I first investigated the programme.
Some of the expectations I had before I came were not completely “mine”, but became my own due to some peer pressure. When I spoke about the experience I was going to make and the place where I would be staying, many of my friends and relatives were doubtful and sceptic about the conditions I would live in, worried that many commodities that we had at home would not be present. Now, although these concerns made sense – and even I, at some point before leaving, wondered if I had to be as worried –what really matters is the spirit to adapt! As I have said above, there is everything that you need at CICD, but sometimes things will not be like at home and some patience, understanding, and effort will be needed.
At the end, it is best to not fantasize about a life perfect in every aspect here at CICD but be realistic and accept that reality might be a bit harsher, especially if it’s your first experience abroad (not my case, but I have been there!). What is truly important is leaving home with the idea that there will be some challenges that need to be faced, but that they are not the end of the world and that help will always be provided if needed here at CICD, as I have seen for myself.
