Living their Dream in 2016
The International School of Toulouse is very pleased to announce that four of our students will be travelling on their dream trip in 2016. They are the very first members of our school community to benefit from this incredible opportunity and this is possible because of the support and heartfelt generosity of the Rao family. We are sure that James would have been massively impressed with the quality of our four students. He would be excited by the diversity of places they are going to visit and proud of the great work that that they are about take part in. You can read all about our 2016 adventurers below and be sure to check back regularly for updates on their progress. Well done and good luck to Bernardo, Grace, Patrick & Jonathan.
James Rao - Live Your Dream IST Team
November 2015
James Rao - Live Your Dream IST Team
November 2015
Bernardo - IB Student - The Galapagos 2016
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Hi, I’m Bernardo, from Y12. I am one of the lucky applicants for the funding by the James Rao Foundation for an Eco volunteering conservation project on the Galapagos Island, in Ecuador.
The project is organized by an international organization called Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org). They have different projects all over the world and I have chosen the conservation program in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos Islands are 1000km (621 miles) off Ecuador’s Pacific coast and are home to hundreds of unique species of flora and fauna. This diverse range of wildlife is famous for helping Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution.
To get there, it is a 30-hours journey. I will fly from Toulouse to Madrid, then to Guayaquil, in continental Ecuador, where I will stay overnight. Finally, I will take another flight to the final destination, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. There will be a bus from the organization waiting on the airport to take me to their installations.
The program is offered in two-week periods at different dates during the summer. I have chosen the second period, from July 10th to 23rd. The project will be 16 days long, including trips.
I have always loved animals and I wanted to participate in environmental and conservation activities. In this project, I will work closely with the Galapagos National Park to help protect endangered species, including activities like Giant tortoise breeding, protecting nesting areas or coastal cleaning. I want to help maintaining this natural wealth that is under real threat. I will also participate in an education program in local schools and community centres.
This has been my dream for years and now I have this great opportunity to do it. The project will allow me to have an enriching experience living and working in one of the most species-rich countries on the planet. Getting involved in a real conservation program will give me a great experience, not only in the wildlife conservation but also in helping the local community. I’m looking forward to my project next summer and would like to thanks the Rao family for this incredible opportunity.
The project is organized by an international organization called Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org). They have different projects all over the world and I have chosen the conservation program in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos Islands are 1000km (621 miles) off Ecuador’s Pacific coast and are home to hundreds of unique species of flora and fauna. This diverse range of wildlife is famous for helping Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution.
To get there, it is a 30-hours journey. I will fly from Toulouse to Madrid, then to Guayaquil, in continental Ecuador, where I will stay overnight. Finally, I will take another flight to the final destination, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. There will be a bus from the organization waiting on the airport to take me to their installations.
The program is offered in two-week periods at different dates during the summer. I have chosen the second period, from July 10th to 23rd. The project will be 16 days long, including trips.
I have always loved animals and I wanted to participate in environmental and conservation activities. In this project, I will work closely with the Galapagos National Park to help protect endangered species, including activities like Giant tortoise breeding, protecting nesting areas or coastal cleaning. I want to help maintaining this natural wealth that is under real threat. I will also participate in an education program in local schools and community centres.
This has been my dream for years and now I have this great opportunity to do it. The project will allow me to have an enriching experience living and working in one of the most species-rich countries on the planet. Getting involved in a real conservation program will give me a great experience, not only in the wildlife conservation but also in helping the local community. I’m looking forward to my project next summer and would like to thanks the Rao family for this incredible opportunity.
Bernardo in the Galapagos 2016 Photos
Patrick & Jonathan (Joint) - Jamaica 2016
Part 1 - Patrick - IB Student at IST
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At the height of GCSE season, a whole school assembly was arranged to be after one of my exams. I remember sitting down in the new auditorium for the first time and listening, in disbelief, to an opportunity of a lifetime. The Live Your Dream Foundation was offering IST students funding to “live their dream”. A glance to my left and a synchronised nod with my friend, Jonathan, and we knew we couldn’t afford to let this great opportunity slip away from us.
For the past four years, and I think everyone in the school can vouch for this, I have had the pleasure to stand alongside my best friend, Jonathan Beecham, through thick and thin. Our love of music, our principles and our humour became our glue and he has stood beside me. From shaky moments of confidence in Triple Science classes to irritating (for the teacher) cynicism in English, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by my side. Cliché as it sounds, he balances me and together we are better.
“Music, it has to be music related”
“Well of course”
Or, at least, that’s how I remember the conversation going. After a lot of internet research we finally came across the Jamaica Volunteer Program – to volunteer in Jamaica giving to their community and change our own lives, experiencing the rich, Jamaican culture. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Blagnac to Kingston. Stopovers (maybe even eleven hours’ worth!) in Heathrow and Miami are required. School’s out this year on 30th June and then two sleeps and we jet off on the Saturday.
Whilst there Jonathan and I will take part in educating children about our music in primary schools and orphanages. We will also provide support, help children with their homework and maybe even give a hand to some building maintenance. The point is, we are there to give underprivileged children some light relief. It’s here that I think I will struggle the most. I have had no experience in less developed countries and working in orphanages will be both physically, but more importantly, emotionally draining. On the weekends the program offers us the chance to take part in cultural immersion trips learning about the Jamaican culture and music.
This is a dream trip for me because it incorporates the idea of helping others, experiencing another “world”, which will give me a deeper appreciation of my own incredibly fortunate life, and learning about one of the most loved and globally recognisable music genres ever. I am incredibly grateful for the help of all the teachers involved and the generosity of the Rao family.
For the past four years, and I think everyone in the school can vouch for this, I have had the pleasure to stand alongside my best friend, Jonathan Beecham, through thick and thin. Our love of music, our principles and our humour became our glue and he has stood beside me. From shaky moments of confidence in Triple Science classes to irritating (for the teacher) cynicism in English, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by my side. Cliché as it sounds, he balances me and together we are better.
“Music, it has to be music related”
“Well of course”
Or, at least, that’s how I remember the conversation going. After a lot of internet research we finally came across the Jamaica Volunteer Program – to volunteer in Jamaica giving to their community and change our own lives, experiencing the rich, Jamaican culture. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Blagnac to Kingston. Stopovers (maybe even eleven hours’ worth!) in Heathrow and Miami are required. School’s out this year on 30th June and then two sleeps and we jet off on the Saturday.
Whilst there Jonathan and I will take part in educating children about our music in primary schools and orphanages. We will also provide support, help children with their homework and maybe even give a hand to some building maintenance. The point is, we are there to give underprivileged children some light relief. It’s here that I think I will struggle the most. I have had no experience in less developed countries and working in orphanages will be both physically, but more importantly, emotionally draining. On the weekends the program offers us the chance to take part in cultural immersion trips learning about the Jamaican culture and music.
This is a dream trip for me because it incorporates the idea of helping others, experiencing another “world”, which will give me a deeper appreciation of my own incredibly fortunate life, and learning about one of the most loved and globally recognisable music genres ever. I am incredibly grateful for the help of all the teachers involved and the generosity of the Rao family.
Jamaica Part 2 - Jonathan - IB Student at IST
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Through the “Live Your Dream Foundation”, I will be volunteering in the Caribbean island of Jamaica with my good friend Patrick Ferris. We have known each other for over five years at IST and we have a very strong bond of friendship although we are quite different in personality. To travel to Jamaica we will be taking a number of flights, from Toulouse to London-Heathrow and then Heathrow to Kingston, Jamaica. On our return trip we will travel via Miami. Our adventure will be from the 2nd of July to the 24th of July 2016.
Patrick and I talked through our dreams together and we decided that we both want to help others, giving something to those less fortunate whilst also experiencing a new culture together. We will be volunteering in orphanages, schools and maybe even contribute to some construction work. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is experiencing and understanding the amazing culture of Jamaica. Personally I feel that I may face a fair few physical challenges such as adapting to a tropical climate, different food, jet-lag…etc. But I feel that this trip will also really test my emotional strength. The one that will hit the hardest is probably realising how privileged I am to live a healthy and advantageous lifestyle here in Europe. It may make me rethink how I choose to live my life, to appreciate it a lot more and help me in my decisions as I leave IST.
Patrick and I love music. Music is an important aspect of Jamaica and is deeply rooted in its culture and way of life. I also believe we are both generous in spirit in our activities in and out of school. The volunteer program that we will be part of is the perfect combination for us as we can give something to Jamaica whilst also gaining experiences, skills and knowledge in return. Being able to travel to another part of the world through a school scheme is a very fortunate position to be in.
I would like to thank once again the “James Rao – Live Your Dream Foundation” for giving Patrick and I the opportunity to embark on such a trip. It truly will be an amazing journey where I will get to know myself better whilst making a difference to others. It will give me memories of a lifetime.
Thank You.
Patrick and I talked through our dreams together and we decided that we both want to help others, giving something to those less fortunate whilst also experiencing a new culture together. We will be volunteering in orphanages, schools and maybe even contribute to some construction work. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is experiencing and understanding the amazing culture of Jamaica. Personally I feel that I may face a fair few physical challenges such as adapting to a tropical climate, different food, jet-lag…etc. But I feel that this trip will also really test my emotional strength. The one that will hit the hardest is probably realising how privileged I am to live a healthy and advantageous lifestyle here in Europe. It may make me rethink how I choose to live my life, to appreciate it a lot more and help me in my decisions as I leave IST.
Patrick and I love music. Music is an important aspect of Jamaica and is deeply rooted in its culture and way of life. I also believe we are both generous in spirit in our activities in and out of school. The volunteer program that we will be part of is the perfect combination for us as we can give something to Jamaica whilst also gaining experiences, skills and knowledge in return. Being able to travel to another part of the world through a school scheme is a very fortunate position to be in.
I would like to thank once again the “James Rao – Live Your Dream Foundation” for giving Patrick and I the opportunity to embark on such a trip. It truly will be an amazing journey where I will get to know myself better whilst making a difference to others. It will give me memories of a lifetime.
Thank You.
Patrick & Jonathan in Jamaica 2016 Photos
Grace - IB Student at IST - Brazil 2016
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I am going to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with the charity IVHQ on the Community Development project. I fly to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday 5th of June 2016 and I will be there for four weeks. I chose to go to Brazil as it has been a dream of mine to go for a while. Brazilian culture is very diverse as it is a mix of so many ethnicities, this really interests me and the opportunity to experience it first hand is amazing.
The Community Development project will give me the opportunity to work with a local organization within Rio de Janeiro which includes painting and restoration of local community centres to help establish new community development programmes. I will also be assisting with community garden projects and art programmes. Whilst in Brazil I am also looking forward to seeing and visiting the famous landmarks of Rio de Janeiro, like Christ the Redeemer, Corcovado, Copacabana and Ipanema Beach.
I will be staying in Santa Teresa, a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro famous for its narrow and winding streets. I am really looking forward to getting to stay there as it has become the home for many artists and has one of the oldest street railway lines in the world. I am looking forward most to getting to travel to such a different and diverse place, it will be a completely new experience for me.
My biggest challenge will be being away from and being so far from my family. I am very close with my family and I have never been away from them for so long. I will miss them a great deal but they are very supportive and they will help me to get the most out of this experience. This experience will show me a new culture, one entirely different to my life and I would like to thank James's family for the opportunity to make this happen.
The Community Development project will give me the opportunity to work with a local organization within Rio de Janeiro which includes painting and restoration of local community centres to help establish new community development programmes. I will also be assisting with community garden projects and art programmes. Whilst in Brazil I am also looking forward to seeing and visiting the famous landmarks of Rio de Janeiro, like Christ the Redeemer, Corcovado, Copacabana and Ipanema Beach.
I will be staying in Santa Teresa, a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro famous for its narrow and winding streets. I am really looking forward to getting to stay there as it has become the home for many artists and has one of the oldest street railway lines in the world. I am looking forward most to getting to travel to such a different and diverse place, it will be a completely new experience for me.
My biggest challenge will be being away from and being so far from my family. I am very close with my family and I have never been away from them for so long. I will miss them a great deal but they are very supportive and they will help me to get the most out of this experience. This experience will show me a new culture, one entirely different to my life and I would like to thank James's family for the opportunity to make this happen.