Debre Birhan, ETHIOPIA – In what some might call the middle of nowhere – Debre Birhan, Ethiopia – is a college preparatory boarding school that I’ve called home for the past three years.
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If I could use one phrase to describe my school, it would be a “mini-world in a plastic bubble.”
Here, we have everything a student could need: a beautiful library, a spacious cafeteria, lively dorms, quiet classrooms and even a design lab.
Even with all these facilities, one can’t help but wonder if attending a boarding school like this creates some kind of disconnect with the outside world.
After all, there is only so much you can do and experience when you are trapped at school all year, right? I disagree.
Every morning, I wake up in my bed and see the same dormmates in the same old room, but every time, it looks a bit different. Their expressions are a bit more sleep deprived, or more rested than the day before.
The dorm is either spotless or looking like absolute chaos.
There is either tight tension in the air for an upcoming test or presentation or a lazy calm on a Sunday morning. Although the differences are miniscule, I still feel as though every day is a completely different day than the last, with an equal chance of going well or badly.
If I haven’t woken up too late, I head to the cafeteria to get breakfast. The cafeteria is the best place to talk to someone you’ve never crossed paths with before, and strike up a conversation on a topic that would seem strange elsewhere.
At my school, we have a house system called “Gojos.”
Gojos are what we like to call our second families away from home. I know, corny, but when you’re away from your real family for so long, sometimes it really does feel like you have a second one here.
My Gojo is called the Golden Black Lions, named after an indigenous Ethiopian animal. Our color – a bright yellow – shows just how bubbly and inviting our Gojo is.
At meal times, students and advisors mostly sit with their Gojos. The cafeteria is buzzing with a dull roar while we eat. Conversations jump from complaints about classes to some wild conspiracy theory we heard about.
Needless to say, you can always find yourself either listening in to a conversation happening beside you or arguing with a Gojo member on whether the grandfather theory – the idea that time travel could undo your existence – is real or not.
After breakfast, it’s straight to classes. Every classroom is almost a replica of the next, except there is a distinct feature, and that’s the decorations. Nothing too pronounced though; it could be a student’s project, a painting hung on the wall, books lining the shelves, anything.
By mid-afternoon, classes are finally over. Students walk back to the dorms, either to rest or get ready to drag themselves to the next activities of the day: service, clubs and sports.
Services and clubs are where students get to choose something from a wide array of activities and dedicate themselves to it. It cultivates lifelong passions—some of which we might pursue as careers and others we will keep as hobbies.
As much as we love to complain about the grueling 45 minutes which is sports time, I honestly think I would forget what it is like to walk and run long distances without it. Though body coordination has never been my strong suit, I learned how to properly kick a football and decently serve a volleyball.
The library is where I like to go when I want to find a new book or just skim through the shelves, looking at covers and reading descriptions.
It is easy to lose track of time in our small but cozy library. There are all the book genres – general fiction, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, historical fiction, non-fiction, poetry and even a few study books.
On most days, you can see students walk to the track right after dinner. Sunsets in Debre Birhan are truly works of art.
Every day, the sky takes on an unpredictable look. Hues of pink, orange, purple and blue come together to make breathtaking views. For a few minutes, everything slows down and you feel like you can finally relax, chat with your friends and enjoy the moment while it lasts.
My boarding school is where I have developed self-discipline, discovered interests, forged friendships and made unforgettable memories.
At first, it is easy to get caught up in the busy schedule and the competitive spirit, but as the years go by, you start to find comfort in the familiar faces and new struggles you face.
It keeps you from becoming complacent, all the while creating an environment where you feel a part of a community and at home.
Lelna Mengesha is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
