Miraculously came across this great website, it includes an awesome article by the Times Colonist - http://www.victorialodging.com/rooms/pearson-college-accommodations
"Pearson College of the Pacific Accommodation
Bed and Breakfast and vacation rental accommodations near Pearson College of the Pacific in Metchosin 35 minutes from downtown Victoria. Birds of a Feather accommodations in Colwood is situated on the waterfront half way between downtown Victoria and the College. The B&B is ideal for family or friends visiting students or faculty for short periods. Stays of 1 week or more can be arranged in our Vacation Rental offerings.
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Some fascinating facts about Pearson:
Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is located just outside Victoria, British Columbia. It’s campus is located in Metchosin on the beautiful west coast surrounded by the B.C. forest with canoeing, kayaking, scuba-diving, hiking, available right on campus to students. The campus facilities also include a complete library, computer labs, a lecture theatre, an indoor swimming pool, an observatory, and much more. Pearson is home to 200 outstanding students from around the world each year. These students and many of the staff of Pearson reside on campus in dorm houses. Students share a comfortable room with 3 others and each house has complete washroom, shower and laundry, facilities, a mini kitchen, and a common room.
WE HAVE ONE OF 10 UNITED WORLD COLLEGES
- Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific was established in 1974, the second of 10 United World Colleges established around the globe.
- The college was built two years after Pearson’s death.
- Each student in the two-year program is covered by a $32,000 annual scholarship for tuition, board and other costs.
- The scholarships are funded by a $50-million endowment, but the college must also raise $2 million each year to cover the shortfall.
- In honour of the 50th anniversary of Pearson winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the college is providing scholarships to students in countries in conflict, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the U.S., Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland.
- Students are coming from countries never represented before, including East Timor, El Salvador, Haiti, Yemen and Angola. ➤ Every student in Canada can apply to attend Pearson College for the two-year program that begins with Grade 12.
- Former Pearson student Peter Sands, now CEO of the Standard Chartered Bank, has spearheaded a campaign to eradicate blindness in the world. The bank has committed to pay for 10-million operations to save people’s vision.
- Top U.S. colleges and universities court Pearson (and other United World College) graduates and typically offer full scholarships paid for by American philanthropist Shelby Davis.
PEACE THROUGH FRIENDSHIP
Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific brings the world’s students togetherBY SANDRA MCCULLOCH Times Colonist staff December 16, 2007 (reprinted with permission)Fifty years ago, Lester B. Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for defusing an international dispute over the Suez canal.
The Metchosin college that bears the former prime minister’s name is celebrating the Nobel anniversary by fostering friendship between young people from all over the world, sowing seeds of peace for the future.
The college’s current focus, with the help of non-governmental organizations, is to bring together students from war-torn countries or those who live in refugee camps and have no country to call home.
“I think Mr. Pearson would be extremely proud of what we are doing and what the students are endeavouring to do,” said David Hawley, director of Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, on the shores of Pedder Bay. “Across Canada there could be no more important example of Canada at its best than this college.”
Hawley is a boyish 49-year-old dressed casually this day in a sweater, black jeans and Blundstone boots. He speaks enthusiastically about the college and its direction.
“Our hope is that when they are in positions of power and leadership, they will have a much deeper and richer understanding of each other and respect for each other and we hope not try to resolve conflicts and problems through violent means.”
The students and staff are on a firstname basis, which can be an adjustment for teenagers coming from countries where calling an adult by a first name is considered disrespectful.
Fifty of the 200 students at Pearson College are Canadian, while the others come from 100 countries all over the world.
The $32,000-a-year cost for tuition and board is covered by scholarships, and sometimes the college even picks up the tab for students who can’t afford to fly here, or to buy a coat to wear once they get off the plane, since they come from all socio-economic backgrounds. The college is funded through contributions from governments and charitable donations, as well as the earnings of an endowment fund, according to its website.
Students, typically 16- to 17-year-olds, are supposed to have completed the equivalent of 11 years of Canadian schooling, attaining “first-class standing” in over half their subjects, before they arrive at the college. They also need a working knowledge of English.
The teens are housed in shared accommodations, in groups of four students where each individual represents a different continent and speaks a different language.
“I’m used to managing my life alone but this is the first time I’ve been far from everything I’ve ever known,” said Luisa Daniela Marin, 17, from Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
She came in September and adapted quickly: “Now I feel I’ve grown a lot as a person and I really love this place.
“It’s incredible how many things you can learn from everybody.”
Marin’s roommates are from Canada, Yemen and Germany. Not only are there cultural differences, there are religious differences as well.
Marin is Catholic while the student from Yemen is Muslim.
“When we have differences about God, each of us has to be flexible. In the end, it’s the same God. Many of our values are based on the same thing.”
Marin has joined the Yemeni girl in learning about Muslim worship and there are plans for both of them to go to a Catholic service to see and appreciate the differences.
It’s all about respect, said Marin, who says she came to Canada for an education so she can return armed with knowledge to improve the lives of her family and friends in El Salvador.
“I need the tools first,” said Marin. “I can’t change the world but I can change my reality and help people who have been in the same situation that I have been in.”
Victor Alvarez, 19, from Nicaragua calls his time at the college “a golden opportunity … because Canada is a very good example of peace — you can walk safely on the street.
“To be living with 200 different people from 100 different countries, it’s unique. It couldn’t happen anywhere else.”
Mathematics teacher Andrew Spray has seen the college grow and develop during his 33-year career there.
“There are not many places where you can find students from 100 countries. You get to know a pretty high percentage of those people pretty well.
“I often find reasons to get in touch with alumni from many years ago and it doesn’t take any time at all to re-establish the relationships.”
Usually half the students from each class travel from around the world to attend reunions.
© Copyright 2007 Times Colonist (Victoria) "
BC students (PC years 35 and 36) at RaceRocks, taken by Mark Kelsey. Spring 2010.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Overview of Pearson College
If you have never heard of Pearson College or United World Colleges, here is a little overview for ya - all from Pearson's handy dandy website.
" What is Pearson College?
Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is a unique two year pre-university school for two hundred students selected from around the world based solely on their personal merit, potential and demonstrated commitment to engage actively in creating a better world. All students attend on a full scholarship and live together while studying the International Baccalaureate program and pursuing explicitly the mission of the United World Colleges to make education a "force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. "
Aaaand some stats:
"General Description
Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific stands as a memorial to the life and work of the late Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Lester B. Pearson. The College promotes the cause of international understanding by creating an environment in which students from many countries and cultures are brought together to study and to serve the community.
Aims
The aims of Pearson College: To provide an education, in the total sense, which will produce involved, active, educated citizens, whose attitudes of understanding and service will be a force against bigotry and hatred between peoples. To provide a practical demonstration that international education works and that it can build bridges of understanding between peoples.
Location
Pearson College is located on the west coast of Canada on the shores of Pedder Bay, 29 km west of the city of Victoria, British Columbia. Clustered on the wooded shores of the bay, the cedar buildings on the College campus provide an ideal environment for the purpose, aims and philosophy of the institution.
Please click for Directions to Pearson College.
The Full Scholarship Policy
Lester B. Pearson felt strongly that Pearson College should "be open to all students with ability, regardless of financial means, religious belief or race." The Full Scholarship Policy was formally established by the Board of Trustees at the very beginning as one of the basic tenets of the College. As a result, all students are selected in open competition in their home countries and all students attend the College on full scholarship. Students selected are awarded a scholarship that covers their tuition, room and board. The value of this scholarship is over $30,000 per annum.
Residential Information
The constant intellectual and social exchange between students and staff of totally different cultural backgrounds is an important aspect of the education at Pearson College. The five student residences and other facilities are designed to create a comfortable environment for students to engage in discussions and share their varied international backgrounds. In each two-storey residence there are approximately 40 students, with female students living on one floor and male students on the other floor. There are four or five students in each room. College policy ensures that students share rooms with students of nationalities other than their own. A member of the faculty and their family live in an attached apartment and play an integral part in the life of each residence. The residences each have a common room or living room for use by the students. In the interest of the health of students, staff and faculty, smoking is prohibited on campus. British Columbia law and College policy prohibit students from possessing or using alcohol or illicit drugs.
Religious and Spiritual Practice
Our students are from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. Students are encouraged to deepen their sense of spiritual values through inter-faith occasions, special programs on the religions of the world and opportunities to worship in the surrounding communities. A new, largely student-built Spiritual Centre was opened in April 2005 and offers a peaceful location for reflection and religious practice.
The College Calendar
The first term of the College year commences at the beginning of September and ends in mid-December. In late October, the students leave campus for five days to pursue individual projects. All students leave the campus for a three-week winter holiday in December and classes then resume in early January. The second term (January-May) is interrupted only by a week in early March and a long weekend in April. The school year ends in late May following the International Baccalaureate examinations. Specific dates will be provided to students upon selection. It is essential that students respect these dates.
Financial Support
Pearson College is a not-for-profit corporation constituted under the Federal laws of Canada. It is a registered charity. The College is also supported by donations to the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation.
Operating Funds
The operating funds for the College come entirely from charitable donations. Pearson College students all attend on full scholarship. Their families do not pay fees. Support for the operation of the College and our scholarships comes from governments, foundations, corporations, individuals and our graduates. Each year, Pearson College conducts a fundraising campaign to support the operation of the College and to ensure that the students who attend may do so regardless of the economic circumstances of their family. The Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation makes a significant contribution to the College from the earnings of the endowment fund managed by the Foundation.
Endowment Fund
Over the years, an endowment fund has been established to secure the full scholarship policy at Pearson College in perpetuity. Donations to the endowment fund come from governments, foundations, companies and individuals. These tax-deductible donations are received by the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation, which invests the capital and manages the endowment fund. Each year the trustees of the Foundation determine the level of support the endowment fund will provide for the full scholarship program.
Ways To Donate
Pearson College is in continual need of financial support to maintain our programs and ambitious full scholarship policy. Donations for the annual operating fund may be made direct to the College. Pearson College is registered as a charitable institution with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, under registration number 11901-8042-RR-0001. Donations to the endowment fund may be made direct to the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation. The Foundation is registered as a charitable foundation with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, under registration number 86702-6312-RR0001. Donations to both Pearson College and the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation are deductible from income tax under the appropriate Canadian laws. Tax receipts are issued for all donations. "
-http://www.pearsoncollege.ca
" What is Pearson College?
Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is a unique two year pre-university school for two hundred students selected from around the world based solely on their personal merit, potential and demonstrated commitment to engage actively in creating a better world. All students attend on a full scholarship and live together while studying the International Baccalaureate program and pursuing explicitly the mission of the United World Colleges to make education a "force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. "
Aaaand some stats:
"General Description
Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific stands as a memorial to the life and work of the late Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Lester B. Pearson. The College promotes the cause of international understanding by creating an environment in which students from many countries and cultures are brought together to study and to serve the community.
Aims
The aims of Pearson College: To provide an education, in the total sense, which will produce involved, active, educated citizens, whose attitudes of understanding and service will be a force against bigotry and hatred between peoples. To provide a practical demonstration that international education works and that it can build bridges of understanding between peoples.
Location
Pearson College is located on the west coast of Canada on the shores of Pedder Bay, 29 km west of the city of Victoria, British Columbia. Clustered on the wooded shores of the bay, the cedar buildings on the College campus provide an ideal environment for the purpose, aims and philosophy of the institution.
Please click for Directions to Pearson College.
The Full Scholarship Policy
Lester B. Pearson felt strongly that Pearson College should "be open to all students with ability, regardless of financial means, religious belief or race." The Full Scholarship Policy was formally established by the Board of Trustees at the very beginning as one of the basic tenets of the College. As a result, all students are selected in open competition in their home countries and all students attend the College on full scholarship. Students selected are awarded a scholarship that covers their tuition, room and board. The value of this scholarship is over $30,000 per annum.
Residential Information
The constant intellectual and social exchange between students and staff of totally different cultural backgrounds is an important aspect of the education at Pearson College. The five student residences and other facilities are designed to create a comfortable environment for students to engage in discussions and share their varied international backgrounds. In each two-storey residence there are approximately 40 students, with female students living on one floor and male students on the other floor. There are four or five students in each room. College policy ensures that students share rooms with students of nationalities other than their own. A member of the faculty and their family live in an attached apartment and play an integral part in the life of each residence. The residences each have a common room or living room for use by the students. In the interest of the health of students, staff and faculty, smoking is prohibited on campus. British Columbia law and College policy prohibit students from possessing or using alcohol or illicit drugs.
Religious and Spiritual Practice
Our students are from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. Students are encouraged to deepen their sense of spiritual values through inter-faith occasions, special programs on the religions of the world and opportunities to worship in the surrounding communities. A new, largely student-built Spiritual Centre was opened in April 2005 and offers a peaceful location for reflection and religious practice.
The College Calendar
The first term of the College year commences at the beginning of September and ends in mid-December. In late October, the students leave campus for five days to pursue individual projects. All students leave the campus for a three-week winter holiday in December and classes then resume in early January. The second term (January-May) is interrupted only by a week in early March and a long weekend in April. The school year ends in late May following the International Baccalaureate examinations. Specific dates will be provided to students upon selection. It is essential that students respect these dates.
Financial Support
Pearson College is a not-for-profit corporation constituted under the Federal laws of Canada. It is a registered charity. The College is also supported by donations to the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation.
Operating Funds
The operating funds for the College come entirely from charitable donations. Pearson College students all attend on full scholarship. Their families do not pay fees. Support for the operation of the College and our scholarships comes from governments, foundations, corporations, individuals and our graduates. Each year, Pearson College conducts a fundraising campaign to support the operation of the College and to ensure that the students who attend may do so regardless of the economic circumstances of their family. The Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation makes a significant contribution to the College from the earnings of the endowment fund managed by the Foundation.
Endowment Fund
Over the years, an endowment fund has been established to secure the full scholarship policy at Pearson College in perpetuity. Donations to the endowment fund come from governments, foundations, companies and individuals. These tax-deductible donations are received by the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation, which invests the capital and manages the endowment fund. Each year the trustees of the Foundation determine the level of support the endowment fund will provide for the full scholarship program.
Ways To Donate
Pearson College is in continual need of financial support to maintain our programs and ambitious full scholarship policy. Donations for the annual operating fund may be made direct to the College. Pearson College is registered as a charitable institution with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, under registration number 11901-8042-RR-0001. Donations to the endowment fund may be made direct to the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation. The Foundation is registered as a charitable foundation with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, under registration number 86702-6312-RR0001. Donations to both Pearson College and the Pearson College of the Pacific Foundation are deductible from income tax under the appropriate Canadian laws. Tax receipts are issued for all donations. "
-http://www.pearsoncollege.ca
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Embarking - The Intro
Where to start? Because as Semisonic says in their beautiful song, "Closing Time,"
'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end'
Well I guess everything began about 3 years to when I first heard about Pearson College. I was at a Model UN conference eating lunch and chatting with three students who were studying at Pearson. Little did I know, that conversation would set my life on a different course.
They were outspoken, humourous, and bright and from 3 very different places - Rwanda, Jordan, and Nepal. I remember them telling me, "APPLY EMMY! APPLY! It's the most amazing place! You must apply!"
That night I checked out the website (which is http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/) and the more I read, the more I fell in love. I was in awe....it sounded like the ideal school for me- a place where likeminded people from across the globe could come to learn and live together. 200 students from 100 different countries and EVERY student was on full scholarship (worth $66, 000)? The mandates of the school matched my own - understanding each other to create more peace in the world. And from that day forward, I knew I wanted to attend. Everything fell into place as the experiences I had in the following years all led me toward Pearson.
After a gruelling application and an INTENSE interview, fate came into play. This past May, the dream became reality. I received an acceptance letter to begin at Pearson Aug 31 2009. I am beyond excited!!!!
This blog is here to share the United World College experience with you, I have a feeling these next 2 years are going to be exceedingly eye-opening and amazing! I'm hoping this blog will make you feel like you're here with me along for the ride.
If you have never heard of United World Colleges (http://www.uwc.org/) this is what Nelson Mandela says about the organization:
"The striking thing about UWC is that they embrace the entire world across all divides of race, history, culture, wealth, religion, economic status and political belief: they are unique and they are conscious of their responsibilities.”
-Nelson Mandela, Honorary President
---
'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end'
Well I guess everything began about 3 years to when I first heard about Pearson College. I was at a Model UN conference eating lunch and chatting with three students who were studying at Pearson. Little did I know, that conversation would set my life on a different course.
They were outspoken, humourous, and bright and from 3 very different places - Rwanda, Jordan, and Nepal. I remember them telling me, "APPLY EMMY! APPLY! It's the most amazing place! You must apply!"
That night I checked out the website (which is http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/) and the more I read, the more I fell in love. I was in awe....it sounded like the ideal school for me- a place where likeminded people from across the globe could come to learn and live together. 200 students from 100 different countries and EVERY student was on full scholarship (worth $66, 000)? The mandates of the school matched my own - understanding each other to create more peace in the world. And from that day forward, I knew I wanted to attend. Everything fell into place as the experiences I had in the following years all led me toward Pearson.
After a gruelling application and an INTENSE interview, fate came into play. This past May, the dream became reality. I received an acceptance letter to begin at Pearson Aug 31 2009. I am beyond excited!!!!
This blog is here to share the United World College experience with you, I have a feeling these next 2 years are going to be exceedingly eye-opening and amazing! I'm hoping this blog will make you feel like you're here with me along for the ride.
If you have never heard of United World Colleges (http://www.uwc.org/) this is what Nelson Mandela says about the organization:
"The striking thing about UWC is that they embrace the entire world across all divides of race, history, culture, wealth, religion, economic status and political belief: they are unique and they are conscious of their responsibilities.”
-Nelson Mandela, Honorary President
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