Mysummer camp experience was different from what you might expect. I joinedBishop’s Stortford International Summer School at the end of the first week.Not because I didn’t want to be there earlier - I was at UGS BootCamp duringthe first days, so I arrived in England a little late.
Fromthe very first minute, I felt a sense of belonging. Those first moments, liketalking to other students in my house, I will remember for the rest of my life.I understood immediately: this was my place, even though I was “late.”
Thatfirst evening was full of wonderful memories. I remember playing a game wherewe had to complete 15 tasks as quickly as possible. I even saved part of theprose we wrote together:
“Younghouse is the best
Youget along with everyone, whatever
Don’tforget to play
Thatwas all we wanted to say.”
Iwill never forget those words. And after that day full of new emotions came thebest Movie Night I have ever had! I talked with people from Japan, Argentina,Germany, Lithuania, and Hungary. And that was only the first day.
Foran entire evening, we played “Catch the Flag” with every student in the camp.We were divided into four groups and had to steal the flag from the team infront of us. Our team won all three games - 3 out of 3! What an evening toremember!
Thenext days were just as special. Between classes, we went on a trip toCambridge. Oh, how beautiful it was to see all those colleges during the boattrip! I even saw the famous Mathematical Bridge and Newton’s tree. And thenLondon - the National Gallery, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, and Chinatown,where we almost got lost while running with our bubble teas to be on time.
Inclasses, we sang a lot, wrote our own song, represented our home countries, anddeclared our love for the camp. We found the best friends there!
Everysingle day, we had two lessons and two activities - and each lesson lastedabout an hour and a half. The first one was more philosophical: I stillremember how we debated the famous Trolley Problem, trying to decidewhat was “right” and realizing how complex human choices can be. The secondlesson was always more creative, and that’s where the magic happened. Wepainted posters of London, designed flags for our home countries, wrote andperformed our own song, and even filmed short movies on the streets. Thoseclasses were not just lessons - they were experiences that made us think,laugh, and create together.
Oneof the most unforgettable parts was the Drama class. We created anadvertisement for the camp, and our group won - the teacher rewarded us withKrispy Kreme donuts! Another day, we had lessons dressed as clowns, and once weworked with masks in the theatre. These moments were hilarious, creative, andfull of joy - they made me feel free and inspired. The last day was thehardest. Disco, saying goodbye… I had never felt anything like this before. Theonly thing I had was hope - hope to talk to those people again one day. Ibought a flag for everyone to sign, and now it hangs above my bed. Every time Isee it, I remember each person and all the memories we shared.
Oneof the most precious gifts of this camp was the people I met. I now havefriends from Argentina, Germany, and Hungary - and I truly treasure them. Welaughed together, shared stories about our countries, and built memories that Iwill carry with me forever. These friendships showed me how big and yet howclose the world can feel. I am deeply grateful to Svitlo School for giving methis chance, because having friends from so many different places is somethingpriceless.
Iwould like to thank Svitlo School and Bishop’s Stortford College for theseunforgettable moments in my life. I will say it again and again - it wasn’tjust a trip, it was a whole chapter.
