Carenna KT 2-Year Scholastic Adventure is Over- A Much Needed Vacation in Malta

A couple of days ago Carenna KT obtained her International Baccalaureate(IB) diploma from United World College in Maastrich, Netherlands ending her 2-years scholastic adventure abroad.  Her Mom Ditas attended this event with beaming pride.  

Carenna taking a well deserved nap in the Amsterdam Airport waiting for a Flight to Malta for a 5 day rest and Vacation along with Mom, Ditas. 

From Malta they will fly home to  Sacramento for a summer rest and preparation for their move to the East Coast ( Washington, DC).  Carenna's 2-years scholarship( International Baccalaureate Diploma) experience at United World College* at Maastrich, Netherlands was filled with ups and downs. There were days when she felt like quitting and crying for being lonely and homesick of Sacramento and the familiar surroundings of home. But she persisted and now victorious and triumphant. Again my congratulations. Hopefully she will be ready for another 4 year college scholarships this Fall at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington, DC.  

Carenna and Mom with Kiko Lenio Graduation Party, Netherlands
 

Here's what Ditas wrote her FB page about Carenna's 2-year Adventure in Europe. 

"Two years ago, amidst a pandemic, this then brave 17 year old girl moved 5,500 miles away on a journey to expand her mind and her world view. I am so impressed with the young woman she has become, at 19 she is more worldly and smarter than I was at her age. The IB was challenging but taught her how to think, she is well prepared for the Elliott School of International Affairs at GWU. Nick Thompson is beaming with pride from heaven. #UWCM #GWU #movingtodc"

This summer, I will have a chance for a 2-week personal bonding with her since Ditas and her are planning to stay with me while their home is being prepared and renovated before its conversion to a rental property while Ditas serves her appointment as Associate Director for Communications, Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce in Washington DC. This SES appointment is Ditas dream job and hopefully will be her most rewarding and challenging job before her second and final retirement from public service. I am so proud of Ditas appointment and work ethic. 

Below are some photos of their 5 days vacation in Malta. In Malta they were able to connect with my Facebook friend, Dave Alan Caruana ( originally from the Island) but now a resident of Marinduque.  Again Thank You Dave for welcoming and making sure Ditas and Carenna had a great time in the island. I hope to meet you in person one day.  

 *United World Colleges (UWC) is an international network of schools and educational programmes with the shared aim of "making education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future." The organization was founded on the principles of German educationalist Kurt Hahn in 1962 to promote intercultural understanding.

Today, UWC consists of 18 schools on four continents. Young people from more than 155 countries are selected through a system of national committees and pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma. UWC runs the world’s largest scholarship programme in international secondary education, with over 80% of students selected by UWC national committees to attend one of the colleges receiving financial support. 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds in 140 countries around the world. The programme provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide. It was developed in the early-to-mid-1960s in Geneva, Switzerland, by a group of international educators.