Holi: AIS Spirit Embraces the Festival of Spring
After we celebrated Holi, the Indian festival of spring, I walked away feeling nostalgic and inspired by our AIS community. I have wonderful memories of playing Holi in India with my friends from daybreak to sunset. I also remember the bonfire we would gather around after the celebrations, all of us soaked in dyes of many colors, to think about the day.
Even though the celebration at AIS lasted for a very short while, it evoked a swirling maze of thoughts. As I stood among many familiar faces, I looked at the diverse group of people, both adults and children, gathered around to participate in and appreciate a tradition that was new to them. I wondered if I would do the same if this tradition was new to me. Yes, the answer is yes!
It seems that at AIS the IB learner profile is intrinsically integrated into each and every one of us, both adult and child. In the crowd I saw open-minded risk takers, inquirers, and learners. I also reiterated to myself what I have believed for a long time now, and that is: what makes our AIS community delightful is our individuality, not similarities. Being unique forces us out of our comfort zone which in turn creates a zone that we all share—a community comfort zone. The rarity and individuality of each of us is woven into the fabric of AIS and all that which makes us a diverse yet a united community. We are all bound by it. With these thoughts, until next year and (we hope) on a warmer day, I look forward to playing Holi again.