Culturama: Diversity, Unity, Dancing

A colourful Mauritian dance

International schools tend to be very complex places, culturally.  On the one hand we have some 100 nationalities, dozens of languages, most students bi- or tri-lingual (or more), all sorts of skin colours and cultures.  On the other hand, there is a very large degree of homogeneity in our student body in terms of affluence and family interests, and often in terms of aspiration and ambitions – families did, after all, choose UWCSEA over many other options.   So we have a great deal in common, though many differences – and we need to understand this if we are to successfully pursue our Mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.  I often think about how we can celebrate unity and diversity at the same time, doing justice to both equally important facets of our community, without misleadingly simple rhetoric such as we are all the same or simply we celebrate diversity.

These ideas were very much in my mind as I watched Culturama last week – our magnificent dance extravaganza celebrating cultural diversity.  Highlights are here.  With some 275 students involved, this is so much more than just an exhibition; it’s a vibrant demonstration of our values:

• This was not just a celebration – it was about learning from and with others.  Koreans  were learning with Mauritians; French were learning with Cambodians; Russians with New Zealanders ; Indians with Hungarians… and so on, and so on.
• It was genuinely student led – from scheduling, to choreography, to costumes, to lighting, programmes, photographers.   One of my colleagues helping backstage said he was completely unnecessary, such was the students’ organisation; that he was reduced to simply applauding the groups as they came off stage.
• The enthusiasm in auditions, and appreciation on the night for the tremendously popular K-Pop, Hip-Hop and Bhangra styles was matched by that for the much with less well-known, gentler styles coming from Hungary, Kazakhstan and Georgia.  
• The rehearsals have been on top on a demanding schedule – Academics; Service; other Arts events (watch our for HS Music and Drama in next two weeks); one of the biggest student conferences in the world, five weeks ago; the biggest ever SEASAC sports tournament two weeks ago.  Our students are learning about priorities, commitments and managing themselves and others; the value of this is vast; and stretches far beyond this event.