Tag Archive for: Student Life

Author: Hyabiel Daniel  | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24

As the winter break draws to a close, the halls of HQ are once again bustling with the energy of students returning to their classrooms. After a week of late mornings, and cosy moments spent with family and friends, it’s time for the familiar routine of textbooks, assignments, and the hum of classroom discussions. Excitement and chatter fill the air as friends reconnect, sharing stories of what they have been up to. Lecturers welcome their students with warm smiles, ready to embark on a new semester of learning and growth. The classrooms, once quiet and empty, are now vibrant with the promise of new knowledge and experiences. As backpacks are unpacked and the rustle of pages turning begins, there’s a collective sense of anticipation for the challenges and triumphs that the upcoming academic journey will bring. The winter break may be over, but the joy of reuniting with friends and the prospect of new units make the return to class an exciting beginning to the rest of the school year.

Hyabiel Daniel is a first-year Living Education Student. She is from London, United Kingdom, and typically attends the Seven Oaks Congregation. She enjoys studying social sciences and also loves spending time reading books, baking, and spending time with loved ones.

Author: Hyabiel Daniel | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24

This week during the Men’s life roles class the students were put to the test by applying what they covered in their previous life roles lessons. This Wednesday instead of the usual lecture, the men went out into a practical outdoor setting. 

Trail maps replaced notebooks as the students awaited a day filled with healthy competition, bonding – and life lessons. The Reedy Creek Park was where this event took place. The 10 young men were split into two teams, setting the stage for a friendly yet challenging orienteering competition. 

The students had to race against time. They were equipped with maps, which helped them navigate the twisty trails, searching for hidden markers scattered throughout the nature reserve. The ticking clock added a sense of excitement as well as an element of energy. 

 Navigating a map isn’t just about figuring out and reading symbols, it’s like learning how to navigate through the ups and downs of life. The boys were introduced to the skills of reading maps. It’s more than just about trails; it taught them how to plan, be forward-thinking, and have the ability to adapt to different situations.

The competition wasn’t just about individual achievement, but instead about teamwork. It was a lesson in cooperation, communication, and trust. This was yet another perfect time to foster bonds that extended beyond mere challenges, which echoed the importance of a collective effort in real-world scenarios. 

As the one-hour timer wound down, the competition came to an end. The students left Reedy Creek Park equipped with newfound knowledge. This was an experience that enabled the boys to learn new things beyond the classroom

Hyabiel Daniel is a first-year Living Education Student. She is from London, United Kingdom, and typically attends the Seven Oaks Congregation. She enjoys studying social sciences and also loves spending time reading books, baking, and spending time with loved ones.

Author: Hyabiel Daniel | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24

On a sunny Sunday, the Charlotte congregation’s annual fall picnic took place at Cane Creek Park. The day was filled with laughter, bright smiles, and the warmth of friendship. Each family brought homemade dishes, adding to the feeling of unity at the event.

The dedicated LE students also joined in, ready for a fun-filled day and the chance to make new friends. This was a welcome break from their usual routine of studying! The picnic kicked off at 9:30 in the morning and ran until late evening. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, there was plenty of food to go around.

Lunchtime brought a wave of togetherness. Everyone shared stories over their meals, creating a comfortable and connected atmosphere.

At 13:00, when lunch ended, everyone split up to take part in different activities. Volleyball was a favorite among the crowd. The kids, full of energy, claimed the nearby playground, while some chose a peaceful walk on the beautiful nature trail.

As the sun started setting, the activities slowly wrapped up. Everyone left with joy in their hearts and stronger connections with one another. It was certainly a day that will be remembered fondly.

Hyabiel Daniel is a first-year Living Education Student. She is from London, United Kingdom, and typically attends the Seven Oaks Congregation. She enjoys studying social sciences and also loves spending time reading books, baking, and spending time with loved ones.

Author: Hyabiel Daniel  | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2023-24

Living Education Program: A Thrilling Start to a Journey of Connections

The first two weeks of the Living Education Program have been a whirlwind of introductions, orientations, and building connections. New friendships are forming, and the campus is buzzing with the excitement of fresh beginnings. Students have been busy settling into the different classes,  adjusting to the rhythm of their daily routines, and setting the tone for the coming months. Lectures, workshops, and team-building activities have paved the way for a strong sense of community, setting the stage for what promises to be an enriching journey.

Dorm Life: A Challenge and Classroom for Life Skills

There are 22 students this year, 11 girls and 11 boys. Dorm life will surely be a challenge for the students. However, this can also be a learning experience as this is the majority of the students’ first time being independent from their family. Sharing a house with non-family members can teach essential life skills like conflict resolution, responsibility, financial literacy, management, and effective communication skills. They also develop social and cultural sensitivity, and gain practical household skills, while building a network of friendships and gaining a deeper appreciation for home life.

As students transition into the core phase of the program, the campus has become a hub of curiosity and intellectual stimulation. Their unique perspectives and enthusiasm will and have already begun to enrich the classroom experience. The innovative curriculum spans various disciplines, encouraging students to think critically, connect ideas, and approach problem-solving from multiple Biblical angles. But the Living Education Program isn’t confined to traditional classroom settings. With regular field trips, guest lectures, and interactive projects, students are constantly reminded that learning is a dynamic and interconnected experience.

In-Work Study Program: Real-World Experience

One of the highlights of the Living Education Program is undoubtedly the in-work study program, which has now kicked off. Students have seamlessly integrated into professional environments. Headquarters is buzz with conversations about real-world challenges and solutions. This phase is about more than just work experience; it’s about cultivating a sense of responsibility, time management, and adaptability.

As students, we are excited about the opportunities for growth and learning that lie ahead. These upcoming semesters will be memorable and transformational for everyone.

Hyabiel Daniel is a first year Living Education Student. She is from London, United Kingdom, and typically attends the Seven Oaks Congregation. She enjoys studying social sciences and also loves spending time reading books, baking and spending time with loved ones. Hyabiel currently works as a writer and manages the Facebook page for the Living Education department. 

Author: Kaleb Johnson | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2022-23

Estimated reading time: 2 min.

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Living Education hosted the second annual Disc Golf Tournament, featuring fantastic food and lots of fun. 

This year, Church families and young adults came out bright and early on a sunny Sunday morning. The Living Education students led the disc golf tournament by organizing teams, helping people to navigate the course, and tallying the final scores. After the tournament, everyone enjoyed a lunch of potato salad, coleslaw, freshly grilled corn on the cob, and chicken legs and thighs.

Disc Golf: A Team Sport?

The disc golf tournament was a team-based event, and the teams were selected in an interesting way. Two Living Education students led each team, making six teams altogether, and then the participants chose which students’ team to join. Thus, the students were encouraged to come up with a fun team name and theme to draw as many people as possible. 

As the game progressed, students tallied their score by recording the number of throws it took each person to get the disc into the basket. Like in regular golf, a low score is a good score. To help their team members navigate the sometimes-confusing disc-golf trail, the students arrived an hour early and walked through the trails. Also, rather than use all 18 holes, the tournament was limited to the first six holes. Each team would start on a hole, and then rotate around, allowing for continuous play. 

All the teams were done after about two hours, and the Director—Mr. Jonathan McNair—announced the winners. The first award was actually a surprise—the award for the team that hit the most trees. That award was won by team 2—Ellie and Kezia’s team—who managed to hit a tree-mendous 60 trees (for context, my team hit 15 trees total). The team with the lowest average score was team 6—Nathan’s team—which scored 28. Par for the six holes was 20, so this team was only eight points over (for context, my team scored 31, and the highest scored 45). Team 6 received their spectacular award of free Living Education pens for all and a single Living Education mug—to be divided amongst the winners, of course. 

An Impeckable Lunch

After announcing the awards, Mr. McNair unveiled the food. During the tournament, he had been was grilling on his charcoal smoker, preparing some egg-straordinary chicken and a-maizing corn on the cob. All of the guests and students flocked through the food line and corn-sumed the provisions. Then, the activity wrapped up, kindly giving the students a free afternoon to do homework. The second annual disc golf tournament was a fantastic event, a total hole-in-one! We look forward to hosting the third annual disc golf tournament next year. 

Just before this, the Living Education students adventured the trails for an exciting mountain biking activity. Read about that here: The Wheel Deal.

Kaleb Johnson is a student in the Living Education-Charlotte Program. He graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the spring of 2022. In addition, Kaleb enjoys writing, video-making, trying new activities (anything and everything), playing chess, and debating (it’s not arguing!) with people. He currently works in the Living Education department producing written content & videos and helping with a variety of other projects.