Driving Question:

How can I document the Successes of TGS alumni to inspire current and future students while simultaneously creating a TGS legacy?

Product output from this module:

The final product of this Mastery project will be a podcast show that continually releases episodes. In the episodes will be interviews with TGS alumni about where they are at now in life, what role TGS played in that, and how they define success.

Project Summary:

Raf W, a senior from the Netherlands, recognized the paradox of living in a digitally connected society where true connections often remain shallow. Despite over four and a half billion active social media users, many people, including 60 percent of the U.S. population, report feeling lonely. This disconnect between perceived and actual social connectivity is a significant issue, even within innovative communities like Raf’s boarding school, TGS.

Understanding the unique bond shared by TGS students due to their shared experiences and challenges, Raf saw an opportunity to strengthen this community. Inspired by the need to combat global loneliness, Raf took it upon himself to create a more active and supportive environment within TGS.

To address this, Raf launched the “Hindsight Podcast” as part of his Mastery project. This podcast serves as a platform for TGS alumni to share their work experiences, lifestyles, and personal journeys. The goal was to create a framework where knowledge and experiences of past students could benefit current and future students, reinforcing lifelong learning and community bonds.

Over eight months, Raf produced and published four episodes, with another one on the way. The podcast has been well-received, providing comfort and reassurance to current students about the value of their unique experiences. Through these conversations, Raf himself learned that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept but a personal journey defined by individual criteria and fulfillment.

Raf’s “Hindsight Podcast” exemplifies his commitment to making a positive impact on his community. By fostering deeper connections and sharing valuable insights, Raf aims to combat loneliness and strengthen the TGS community in a meaningful way.

Driving Question: How can I create a photo album capturing the true essence of street art in Oaxaca City?

Project Summary: Raf’s personal project is about photography and photo editing. His project aimed to capture the essence of street art in Oaxaca. Due to the fact that Oaxaca has an abundance of incredible street art, Raf felt it was of high importance to capture this beauty using photography and exemplify it using Photoshop. You can see the pictures Raf has taken and edited below, which hopefully provide a sense of Oaxaca’s beauty.

Student Reflection: This project gave me the time to just pause amongst all the craziness in a term. When taking photos, I felt relaxed, and that I was really appreciating Oaxaca for what it was. I learned that if we don’t pay attention to the small details of a given environment, we might miss its beauty.