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The train of life
When I started my studies three years ago, I couldn’t predict all the things that would happen during those years, but losing someone was the most unpredictable. One week before starting my studies in Bordeaux, I enjoyed my time in my new flat with my best friends. We were here for a few days. I…
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When lost means found
Have you ever felt this strong longing for the people and places you call “home” when they are too far away and seem out of reach? Have you ever experienced this deep yearning to explore the far-away and unknown when you feel stuck in your routines and a change of scenery seems like the only…
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Good things (don’t) last
Have you ever wondered why we hold on so tightly to the things and people in our lives? We tend to think that if something is good, it’s supposed to last forever. But what if that’s just a story we tell ourselves? Our society magically puts an equal sign between quality and longevity, but I’m…
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Thinking in shortcuts
It’s late at night. Rain is pouring. You know you have to catch the next bus, or else you’ll be standing soaking wet for the next hour. You see two ways: one that goes through a dark alley and another along a busy street. Without thinking much, you choose the busy street because it feels…
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ESC for beginners: pickles in one hand, life lessons in the other
Chapter 1 Even before I finally finished packing for one year abroad (which felt like cramming a circus into a shoebox), I was already imagining what I’d write in this first report. I had been reading all the other articles from volunteers, thinking of what I’d say when it was finally my turn. Now that…
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The zoology of festivals
Going to Dojran’s D-Festival for the first time is a life-long memory that one cannot forget easily. Amongst all the activities that you can enjoy during a festival, I wonder if you ever tried one of our favourites. If your secret wish was to become a wildlife reporter, you here have a chance to realise…
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Game Theory
Game theory is a field that mathematically studies strategic situations in which individuals’ decisions depend on the choices of others. Since ancient times, people have been interested in games such as chess and backgammon, and more recently, sports such as football, basketball and tennis have entered our lives. Game theory helps us understand and model…
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The Weight of Silence
In this complex global world, our collective journey towards destigmatizing mental health, despite our efforts, often feels like we’re stuck in a cycle of two steps forward, one step back. As we navigate this difficult path, we encounter numerous challenges that threaten to obstruct our noble efforts. We find ourselves at a crossroads. On one…
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Why should we all slow-travel?
In recent years, the increase in tourism has been huge. The part of the global population which has the resources for taking time off and traveling has also increased. And more, people travel farther and for a shorter duration. Destinations and tourist tours are more standardized: some world-famous places welcome millions of visitors per year,…
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The Origins of the Indo-European languages
French sounds romantic, German aggressive, Italian passionate – we associate a lot with languages. Our mother tongue is part of our culture, our childhood and our customs. Language shapes our identity, it influences our way of thinking. It creates community and a sense of belonging. Even within the same language, dialects and slang reveal your…
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Planting and cutting down our biggest life support
Trees are the symbols of nature and life. We all know that they give us our oxygen and are nice to look at. There is one day where we come together, appreciate the living creatures, and give some of them a new home: Arbor Day. On the other 364 days, humans are busy deforesting the…
VOICES 