To celebrate the changing of the seasons and the commemoration of time, Berlin offered many opportunities to take a break from studying. At the end of October Berlin celebrated its 775th birthday with “fire poetry” in the streets. Combining medieval traditions with new age practices, the streets were alive with people and flames. The lights
CategoryCampus Life
Interview with Lars
Last year, the European College of Liberal Arts (presently ECLA of Bard) became one of the satellite academic institutions of Bard College, located in the Hudson River Valley of New York state. The new leadership of the college aims to expand the student body and administration. As a result, the current physical structure is also
Berliner Philharmoniker’s Left Shoulder
The Korean conductor and pianist Myung-Wung Chung whom we were supposed to see conducting at the Berliner Pilharmoniker on the 19th of October was replaced by the young Kristjan Järvi. This last minute change reminded me of a somewhat funny legend that dwells among the members of this orchestra. Whenever a new conductor is invited
Bard to Berlin
After a year of living a “choose your own adventure” lifestyle (highlights include but are not limited to: learning the proper way to slaughter a chicken in the south of France, running from a wild boar, catching a swarm of honeybees in the 19th district of Paris, and the serendipitous meeting of a member of
Coming Home
I completed the Academy Year programme at the European College of Liberal Arts (ECLA) in the summer of 2011. This fall, I returned to ECLA for the BA program. During the whole recent year, I worked with a theatre group and also taught theatre skills back home in Pakistan. Working in the theatre industry required
Christmas Celebration at ECLA
On December 4th the whole ECLA community gathered for the traditional Christmas celebration, which included a performance of the ECLA choir and a festive dinner. Already in the days prior to the celebration, Christmas trees and colorful decorations had made their way into each of the buildings on the campus, including the cafeteria and student
Christmas Baking
It’s that time of the year again—the time of pomegranates, peanuts, and these tiny baby oranges that seem to have a thousand different names, which has so far led to quite a few heated lunch break discussions. December has started, and what would have been a better way to begin it than with a Christmas
Biodiversity Unleashed or the New ECLA Pets
It was then that the fox appeared. “Good morning,” said the fox. […] “Who are you?” asked the little prince, and added, “You are very pretty to look at.” “I am a fox,” said the fox. Come and play with me,” proposed the little prince. “I am so unhappy.” “I cannot play with you,” the