Launched on April 12, at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s, it is one of the more recent steps taken by the National Ozone Unit to help the country comply with the Montreal Protocol.

Dr Marissa Gowrie, deputy environmental manager and national ozone officer in the Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development, explained, “Several countries came together in the 1980s and agreed to phase out ozone depleting gases but the gases affect the ozone differently… Trinidad and Tobago signed on in August 1989.” Some of the gases include refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); the fumigant Methyl bromide; Halon, a fire suppressant; and more.

She noted the industry overlapped with many other sectors including tourism; the storage and transport of fish, meats, fruit and vegetables; the industrial sector; the medical sector with respect to operating theatres, the storing of vaccines, and even the morgue.

Gowrie told Sunday Newsday the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) noticed a lack of professionalism and accountability in the industry. The organisation felt it critical to address these issues given the various sectors it services and so approached the ministry.

“For many years ARIA has been voicing that they were seeing a lot of practices they would not endorse. Because of the very rapid changes in technology and refrigerants, a technician needs to be kept abreast, must keep themselves current, and, let’s face it, as a consumer you assume the technician would give you the best technical advice because you don’t know better.” Therefore, the Ministry of Planning, ARIA, the National Training Agency (NTA), and other training schools created a professional certification for the Refrigeration and AC Industry.

A Body of Knowledge was developed as a text of basic technical knowledge a technician is required to know and is available on the NTA website and the National Ozone Unit’s ozone blog. “It was developed in a manner to appreciate that there are people who may have never gone to a formal school to learn the trade. The Body of Knowledge is aligned to what they should know.” When the online exam is written, the technician would get the result immediately.

For people who are not computer literate, the NTA has a system where a proxy would sit with the person and provide assistance. Those who pass are then certified, recognising that “they are at a certain level, and do a certain quality of work.” They are then issued a license that is valid for three years.

“In addition, NTA has developed, and are developing further, something called Skills TNT. If someone comes to you and says, ‘I’m an air conditioning technician,’ you can log on to Skills TNT and see reviews of their work, if it is they are in fact registered, similar to what Ebay has for sellers.

It gives a level of power to the consumer as well as another level of accountability to the sector.” In order to renew the license, the technician is expected to present a portfolio of work done over the previous three years to the NTA, a record of how they have kept themselves current, and reviews from customers.

“There are things that a technician can do to keep current that may not cost him any money but just shows due diligence on the part of the technician given the fact that this is such a dynamic field and will continue to be a dynamic field.” Gowrie said one reason the field was so dynamic was because of the addition of alternative refrigerants, changes in the law, as well as changes in the Montreal Protocol. She noted that in October 2016, Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol stated that one alternative refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), would be phased out because, while it was not damaging to the ozone, it was a green house gas, causing climate change and global warning.

To assist technicians, she said the National Ozone Unit hosted free webinars (online seminar), which they would try to develop on a more regular basis in order to provide free training, as well as keep technicians up-to-date on what was happening in the air conditioning and refrigeration field.

At the top of the list was playing the guitar pan with Panorama winner Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, which performed MX Prime’s runaway Road March winner, Full Extreme.

His involvement with winners continued as he assisted in arranging Five Star Akil’s Different Side of Me for his former primary school, St Margaret’s Anglican of Belmont, which placed first in the Junior Panorama.

The strapping six-footer played the double seconds with Valley Harps, of Petit Valley for the Panorama finals; the three-cello with St Margaret’s Super Stars in their performance of Bacchanal by GB Neutron; and with two single pan bands – Harlem Syncopators and Scorpion Power Boats.

In addition to this heavy pan workload, Larrier, a graduate of Trinity College in Moka, is a second year student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, with an emphasis on the steelband.

“The vibes from playing with different bands, learning different styles of how to play and arrange, will help me,” he said of his attachments to the various bands. He loves classical music, R&B, reggae, jazz and actually “anything, depends on what the engagement calls for”.

Larrier’s love of music goes back to his deceased mother, accompanist at the All Saints Anglican Chapel of Ease, Maraval, who passed away about five years ago. He and his 18-year-old sister Ariel have since been cared for by their aunt, Jacqueline Douglas.

Larrier started music in standard three.

“My mother also played the guitar besides the piano and organ, and both my parents played pan.” However, under the astute guidance and care of his aunt, he has learned to balance academia, pan and travelling to and from their home in Carenage.

As he works towards his degree, Larrier is certain about his love of music but not yet sure where it will take him. However, his overriding wish is “to be the next arranger for All Stars”.

That means 1,000 uneducated and undereducated people, with little or no opportunity for gainful employment, are challenged to make a positive contribution to society and are easy prey for the criminal element.

Through sheer frustration alone, some may even end up on drugs or some other self-destructive pursuit.

Otherwise they become burdens on their families and on the State.

What is in place to help these children? What remedial programmes exist that would address the psychological issues in their lives that led them to give up on school? How many can find their way into Servol, MILAT, MYPART , the Civilian Conservation Corps, YTEPP and other vocational programmes if they still have the motivation for “school” and view these as opportunities to rebuild their lives? My concern is that these students are in the pool from which criminals are recruited, and are forced to “look for money” at their young age, and find themselves locked in the world of gangs. It is often said the criminal element in the society is in the minority; a mere handful of miscreants who now make life hell for the majority.

Our children who drop out of school and are not properly guided, are the ones who become that minority.

It is hardly likely that a child would just suddenly drop out of school, unless there was some emergency.

There are often indicators along the way that all is not well — poor academic performance, poor attendance, behaviour problems, isolation and other signs of depression, hygiene issues, and tardiness.

These are all red flags that, if attended to in time, can more than likely prevent the child opting to end school. Truly, issues in the home contribute to the children’s response in the school, and the current economic hardships can eventually lead to children having to cut school.

However, we must become more proactive and put systems in place to identify the threats to this critical stage in our children’s development. There must be interventions to assist families who may be experiencing such difficulties and help prevent children having to drop out of school.

Continuous psychological assessment for our children from pre-school would help to identify the issues in a timely manner and effect remedial action before it is too late. Our children are our most important resource; we must do more to develop their potential to the fullest.

GARVIN COLE via emai

Ramroop, 33, of the Transit Police Unit based at the Vehicle Management Corporation of TT (VMCOTT) in Portof- Spain, remained warded in a serious condition at hospital up to yesterday.

Police investigators said that at about 8.45 pm on Friday, the off-duty policeman was walking along the Eastern Main Road, Curepe, where the driver of a white Tiida car pulled alongside him.

The driver and another male occupant got out and dragged him into the car, then sped off.

An anonymous caller contacted police who issued an allpoints bulletin.

At about 3.30 am yesterday, officers of the Highway Patrol Unit based in Debe, were on patrol along the north bond lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway where they found Ramroop near the Forres Park flyover.

Police said Ramroop had several injuries to his body and was unconscious.

His hands were bound behind his back with his handcuffs with his feet in a tie strap.

A tie strap was around his neck to secure the plastic bag over his head.

Police said the men also robbed him of $300.

Officers of St Margaret’s Police Station also visited the scene and Ramroop was taken San Fernando General Hospital.

A motive is yet to be established, but police of the Southern Division believe the abductors beat and threw Ramroop from the car, having discovered he is a police officer.

Police also commended the Highway Patrol Unit for their keen observation.

“They were patrolling and saw him on the grass at the roadside.

“They were very observant and should be commended.

The officer (Ramroop) is lucky to be alive. Maybe if he had a personal firearm he could have protected himself,” said an officer.

St Joseph and St Margaret’s police are continuing investigations.

Headlining the show, Smith has a lot of weight on his shoulders but is up to the challenge of representing this country. The 21 year old has been in continuous training for the past six years and is eager to test his skill against his Surinamese opponent.

“Expect a great fight, training camp has been intense thus far, and my coach is ensuring I am fully prepared. I will do TT proud,” said an enthusiastic Smith. Supporting Smith in his aspirations is building contractor company Kee-Chanona Ltd. A representative of the company said that they have seen the potential in Smith and hope to assist on his journey to the top.

The event, promoted by Fine Line Fight Factory, promises to be another exciting card in the Central area. Fine Line will also bring the top two local super middleweights in the ring – Vimal Jagoo and Andell Lakhan – with the national welterweight title on the line. Jagoo and Lakhan have been challenging each other for more than a year, and this match-up promises a lot of fireworks from the first bell.

Rounding out the kickboxing line-up will be up-and-coming talent from several fight gyms throughout TT. Eight bouts are scheduled along with karate demonstrations. The Local Wrestling Association will also make an appearance at the midway stage.

Promoter Bharrath Ramoutar had to postpone the event previously but assured the event will take place on May 20.

“These youths are training daily and diligently, they will not be disappointed again. Sponsorship is hard to obtain but we do have a few who are willing to make this event a reality for the athletes, and we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to them,” he said.

Sponsors on board so far include the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), Chaguanas Auto Supplies, Monisec Security and Bodyguard Services, Toby’s Bar, Fan Zone, V&N Auto Supplies, Evolution Fitness and Francis Townhomes.

Tickets are available at the Fine Line gym, Centre City Mall (both in Chaguanas) and Rough House (St James). For more information contact 772-9640 or 763-1187.

Complaints over these fees have long dogged the banking industry, and the proceedings of the Joint Select Committee on Finance and Legal Affairs – which met on Friday in open session – were a welcome opportunity for stakeholders to give information on their practices and for members of the public to get the information they need to exercise consumer choice.

Unfortunately, according to president of the Banking Association Anya Schnoor, there is no industry-wide standard when it comes to fees and charges. Instead, they are determined by individual banks’ pricing considerations. She said pricing considerations include operating costs and investment in technology, competitive product placement, influencing customer behaviour, and alternate channels available.

“Banks are not price-fixing, and fees and charges are reflective of the cost for providing the services,” she said. But while the lack of collusion is a good thing for a free market, it leaves consumers essentially at sea when it comes to making decisions on how to structure transactions. Individual banks may impose whatever fees they like. While in practice it seems the fees have not often been adjusted (Schnoor said they were adjusted three times over ten years) the fact remains that it is open to any bank to change its fees at a whim and to do so in a manner that does not offer price protection for a consumer.

Still, it is notable that some banks had no increases in fees over the last ten years and that fees have not kept up with inflation rates. Also, online and mobile banking options have remained free, though these come with increased levels of risk for the customer. And the perception of the consumer is that while fees are not rising, the scope of transactions that attract fees is already considerably wide. Very often the complaint is made that there is a fee at the turn of every door.

Still, compared to similar services provided by banks in the region almost all fee categories in TT were lower. Fees and charges represent seven to 11 percent of total revenue of all banks, and the banking sector’s profitability per customer and per account has declined over the last ten years, a fact that is likely to surprise some.

According to Schnoor there were many reasons for the decline in profitability with the main reason being, “tremendous increases in operating costs in all banks over the same period.” The firm also found, she said, that net interest margins in the banking industry are at their lowest levels in over a decade and all loan major categories, current interest rates are lower than they were a decade ago. Deposit rates have declined, directly due to a build-up of liquidity in the sector.

While deposits have grown from $50 billion to now over $110 billion in the last decade, the profitability in the banking industry has marginally increased by just 1.2 percent over the last decade with declines in key metrics such as return on assets and return on equity.

It is therefore likely that increases in banking fees as well as banks’ imposition of these fees on a wide range of transactions reflect the need for them to stay afloat in an economy that has not shown signs of true diversification from the ground up. If we complain about banking fees, we must complain about the structure of our overall economy too.

For now, we welcome this inquiry and look forward to further ventilation of the issues.

As the paper tried to respond to these changes and to create a Catholic sensibility in a society that was trying to harness the forces of secularism with those of a pervasive religiosity, there were some high points.

The popularisation of Biblical scholarship, The Know Your Faith series, the Ask me Another of Archbishop Pantin and subsequent Shepherd’s Corner, as well as the very popular Nick’s Corner were moments when the paper seemed most clearly fulfill its mandate.

The pull outs on various topics catechetical, biblical, theological and liturgical provided quality education in an accessible format. Various constituencies were recognised and catered for, the youth, those with various challenges – the work with the deaf community was a striking example of the Catholic outreach in a good sense.

There have also been attempts to engage discussion on subjects that caught the popular attention – the death penalty, La Divina Pastora and artificial contraception are perennial topics.

And there were aspects of life and behaviour that elicited a courageous and counter-cultural challenge that was often met with ridicule or resignation – the decline of artistry and plain decency that plague our celebration of Carnival, the conduct of national politics, the ethics of the workplace in a time of economic stringency.

But on the whole, deep questioning of the values and habits of our society in the light of the Gospel remains a focus that – with the help of our contributors – needs to be fully explored.

The Church has always provided a beacon and an anchor for society, even when she has been most vociferously challenged.

As we in the Catholic News launch into another period of service, perhaps we could fulfill our mandate to educate, evangelise and share the Gospel more effectively by seeking to make the paper a place where faith searches for understanding, where the violence and hardness of our usual conversations are mellowed by the charity which she brings into all things; where the tolerance that is one of our watchwords can allow for the exercise of authentic liberty as we undertake together a quest for truth. Ad multos annos!

So said Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, yesterday, as he visited the Arouca/Maloney constituency and other areas along the East-West Corridor as part his countrywide tour.

He has already been to nine constituencies and is expected to complete the other 30 in Trinidad in the ensuing months.

Sinanan was accompanied by Planning and Development Minister and Arouca/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis and officials from PURE (Programme For Upgrading Roads Efficiency).

“What we have on the East-West Corridor is a lot more flooding problems now. The reason for that is because of the amount of new developments that taking place. A lot of the developments now are happening on the hillsides and those developments are causing problems downstream,” Sinanan said.

He said the existing infrastructure along the corridor was not built for the increasing number of developments in the region.

Sinanan, who listened to the complaints of residents, said the drainage division of the ministry needed to be more stringent in handling developers, especially in the area of water retention.

“So, what we are looking at now basically, is putting in some retention ponds as we go along because the amount of water coming out and the size of the developments, the infrastructure really was not built for that,” he said.

Sinanan observed that pipes also were running through and under bridges.

“Maybe in the past the water flow may have allowed that. It is just not going to work now,” he said.

“So, it may mean that we have to ask WASA (Water and Sewerage Authority) to come a relocate some pipes and all that so at least we can clear under some of the bridges.” Asked what has been the major issue he has encountered during his visits to constituencies, Sinanan said: “Different areas have different problems. On the East-West Corridor, basically what we saw is flooding.” He said several squatter developments also had sprung up in the D’Abadie/O’Meara constituency “So, you have a lot of people building on the river banks and watercourse banks and I saw a place where there was a commercial building with the foundation in the river just to expand on the land size.” Saying that flooding and road rehabilitation were among the issues plaguing Arouca/Maloney, Sinanan said the assured that the problems will be fixed in the shortest possible time.

“We looking at the jobs and prioritising them to bring the most relief to residents. We are looking at what could be done immediately so we can get it done immediately and then as funding comes available, then you programme the more major projects,” he said.

Sinanan observed some areas had pavements but no roadway.

“I am wondering, no houses and no road but pavement, why are we wasting money in areas like that.

The idea now with the funds flowing in the way that it is, we have to make sure that wherever we spend money, we actually get value for money.”

These were just a few initiatives by ReThink, a personal and organisational transformation centre with the aim of making this world a kinder, happier, gentler place through actions rather than just words.

According to founder of ReThink, Ernie Ross, the four-year-old organisation was a manifestation of Ross Advertising. He said the agency’s philosophy was “intangience” (a trademarked word they created), which was about intangible values and the science of human connection that makes it work.

For example, he explained that on Valentine’s Day, vendors who sell roses are not just selling flowers but a sentiment. Coca Cola too does not just sell carbonated beverages, but the brand satisfies a craving for human connection.

He therefore asks his clients three questions that drives intangience: Who am I? What is my purpose? How would I be remembered? Ross told Sunday Newsday those questions got him to thinking about his own life. As a single father of a 16-year-old daughter, he asked himself whether he was leaving enough for her materially. However, a friend of his told him the important thing was the values he left with her.

“That got me to thinking about what my life, my business was measured by. The manifestation of greater ideals, the things that were important to me, that I was going in my life but not in any structured way, gave birth to rethink. It was my moment of epiphany when I asked myself these three questions.” “We feel we can carry out national, regional, and international transformation by the work we do.

We are part of a massive global movement to shift conscience, and consciousness,” he said.

Ross stressed that he was not a guru of happiness but that he was searching, like everyone else. The only difference is that he has set up an organisation to do it and is encouraging others to do it as well.

ReThink is doing this through various programmes in TT and Guyana.

Random acts of kindness and pay it forward are interlinked. They encourage people to be nice to each other and for the receiver to do something nice in turn. It could be a smile, a hug, an encouraging word, giving someone a bottle of water or an umbrella to a mother with a child.

“It could be anything that you feel you could afford at that point in time to make someone a little happier.

It could be anything that could break the negative pattern that a person could be experiencing… If you do something unusual and unexpected, a random act of kindness, you shift their consciousness. They can’t help but be touched by that.

If you touch a small percentage of people and they touch a small percentage of people, you are beginning the shift.” He urged people not to be discouraged if someone reacts negatively or does not react at all because no one knows an individual’s personal problems or issues.

ReThink also plans to open a Kindness Caf? at its office on Alcazar St, St Clair, where kindness would be the currency. “We feel that we can trade on the idea and ideal that people are going to be touched by compassion and in time, if frequently touched by it, a shift would happen within them. It will eventually become a part of the changes we need here.” Kind Soles is a programme already launched in Guyana. So far, ReThink has distributed approximately 7,000 expandable sandals to primary school students in Guyana. The sandals, produced by The Shoe That Grows, a non-profit organisation in the US, is durable and comfortable, and perfect for quickly-growing children. Ross said ReThink plans to expand the programme to TT and other parts of the region, donating the sandals to anyone who needs it.

Feed the Need for Happiness was a one-off project that ReThink hopes to do again, and possibly make into a permanent programme.

In 2016, ReThink collected good, cooked food from restaurants and supermarkets and distributed it to the needy.

Ross said every day supermarkets threw away rotisserie chicken, pastries, sushi, sandwiches and full meals that were good, but would spoil if left for another day. He said Rethink is willing to get food warmers, coolers, and vans to pick up the food and distribute it to those in need, and further, to make it a national programme.

He noted that France banned supermarkets from dumping or destroying unsold food and that ReThink is trying to make TT the second country to do so. “There is too much need in this country for them to take good food and dump it, especially if we are providing resources for you to remove it from your place of business.” Soon to come will be the Project Happiness programme, which will be part of ReThink’s Happiness Initiative that brought us free doubles and bake and shark on International Happiness Day.

Project Happiness is a registered NGO out of the US that runs in over 80 countries around the world that teaches children emotional resilience. The curriculum is being run in numerous schools in Guyana, was available in 12 schools in TT in 2016, and ReThink is trying to activate it in this country once again.

Ross also hopes to bring a global initiative into the region, one designed to create harmony and understanding among people with varying views. He said the world-tested programmes, endorsed and supported by a renowned learning institute, could transform societies including school and business environments and the national community.

Ross has been doing random acts of kindness on a personal level for a long time. “There’s nothing that makes you more compassionate than having been there. So when you see someone in a similar or worse situation, it does something to you.” He said he came from “humble beginnings” in Guyana and when he came to Trinidad in the 1980s he didn’t know anyone, and went through a difficult financial time.

In addition, he said as a child his mother encouraged him to be selfless and give to others. “Growing up my mom always told me, ‘If you are feeling down, find someone who feels worse. If there is a need in your life, fill someone else’s need. If there is an absence of love or money, give the love or money.’ Fill the need that you find in your life and there is a universal, irrefutable law that would bring it back to you providing you are doing it because you genuinely want to help, not so that you can get something in return.” Therefore, Ross uses his network of influence to bring the good work being done at ReThink to the notice of people who can encourage the change in communities and nationally. To those who believe a lot of money is necessary to have happiness, Ross said while money brings a certain amount of security and comfort, what is ultimately important is health, your relationship with others, and the sense that you are making a difference and serving a greater purpose in the world.

He stressed that a person can be rich but not be happy if the person does not have love, compassion, understanding, and other intangible things that give one’s life meaning.

“One of the biggest things for making people happy is gratitude.

We have so much to be grateful for on the island and in our lives but if we don’t acknowledge it, we won’t feel happy.”

Let alone, be a part of its success in winning a prestigious award for college-based, law advocate groups throughout the United Kingdom.

Under Harper’s stewardship as president, the society won the Best Pro Bono Activities title in LawCareers.

net’s Student Law Society Awards 2017 in March – a feat which cemented the organisation’s status as one of the leading pro bono societies. The society received the award because of the range of opportunities it offered to students.

Harper, 22, is justifiably proud, saying she had always wanted to enjoy a multifaceted experience at university.

The experience, she said, also reinforced the importance of volunteerism in broadening the human experience.

“I think it’s very important to remember that there’s a whole world that exists outside of our individual bubbles. For some that bubble is the local community, for some the country,” she said in a phone interview from London.

“But in giving back, whether it is in a small way or more extensively, we will not fail to enhance our human experience.” Harper, who hails from Manzanilla, a largely agricultural district in east Trinidad, is no stranger to helping others.

At her alma mater, St Augustine Girls High School, she volunteered at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

“That was an eye-opening experience I would not have otherwise had.” Noting that the school’s principal had always stressed the importance of holistic development, Harper said she has since sought wholeheartedly to make volunteerism a part of her life.

“I will always advocate for volunteerism because I believe so much of what is important to our education and personal development is to be learnt outside the confines of academia.” Still, Harper never dreamt she would be a part of London Pro Bono Society, a valued and respected organisation that has positively impacted the lives of students since its inception a decade ago.

“When I left Trinidad I could not have predicted this specific reality. However, I always intended to make the absolute best of my opportunity to study abroad.” Apart from King’s College standing as a prestigious university and in the legal community, consideration of the professional networks available to her by its extra-curricular activities factored heavily in Harper’s choice of university.

“Additionally, academic pursuits have never been my sole focus, and I intended to further diversify my experiences at university.” Founded in 2007, the society targets a diverse range of interest areas, catering to law, nonlaw, undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Backed by its watchwords— for the public good—the society’s activities are intended to directly assist students and the wider community. The society presides over seven initiatives, not the least of which is its human rights project (HRP).

Last year, the HRP hosted an internship fair which allowed organisations to present themselves to students showcasing viable alternatives to corporate opportunities.

The programme also sourced internships to provide student assistance to law firms engaged in pro bono work and human rights non-governmental organisations, while also providing students with meaningful work experience.

Harper said she has interacted with students of varying nationalities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds but has never felt intimidated by them.

“I am certainly proud of my accomplishments when I think of my origins and the way in which I am positively representing my country, and village,” she told Sunday Newsday.

“However, I think what is most striking to me is the fact that at no point have I ever felt less qualified or at a disadvantage as compared with my peers. At a pre-eminent university like King’s, with top talent from around the world, it is fantastic to see that the playing field is completely level.” Harper said an individual’s roots should never prevent them from striving for success.

She recalled that in 2015, as the guest speaker at Manzanilla Government Primary School’s graduation, “the one thing I was sure to emphasise to the graduating class was that I grew up just around the corner, and that all the opportunities I had taken advantage of were equally available to them.” “I think it’s a privilege that I am in a position to demonstrate to children from my community that big aspirations are to be encouraged and with the right amount of dedication and focus, any of them can land leading roles they have dreamed of,” she said of her graduation address.

Harper received a national open scholarship in 2013 but took a year off before starting her law degree in 2014.

She described as “quite inorganic,” her appointment as the society’s vice-president in her second year at the college in 2015.

“Initially, I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to build my CV, which at the end of my first year of university was devoid of any substantive legal experience; aside from the open days and workshops I had attended at firms in the city.” She revealed, though, that after the first year juggling her studies with her desire to explore the UK, “I was a bit startled to hear of some of the extensive legal work experiences of my colleagues.” “In retrospect, I can say my priorities were exactly as they should have been, but at the time, I felt I needed to catch up and felt legal volunteerism was the best route. As it turned out, pro bono came to mean a great deal more to me than a CV-filler. “ Harper deeply appreciates her time at King’s College.

“Life at King’s has certainly lived up to expectations.

I am at a worldclass institution where the quality of instruction and the resources cannot be disputed.

But more importantly, in terms of life experience, throughout my time here I have enjoyed diversity.” Aside from being a member of the college’s Mountaineering Club and Muay Thai Society, Harper also worked as a brand ambassador for Linklaters, one of five Magic Circle law firms, head-quartered in London.

Linklaters allowed her to enjoy musical theatre on the West End, steward the London marathon and travel throughout Europe “which was my main motivation for choosing to study in London.” Harper’s position also enabled her to develop “fantastic links” with the faculty and staff. She has spoken at several open day, undergraduate and postgraduate inductions and welcome ceremonies.

Harper regards herself as a competent multi-tasker.

“The busier I am, the more productive I am able to be; somehow my outputs are markedly higher when I have more on my plate. It has really been a matter of making realistic to-do lists and seeking to accomplish as much as I can in a day. I generally do not let unique opportunities pass me by so I find it hard to say no with regards to some of the requests that come my way.” On occasion, though, Harper has found it necessary to delegate responsibilities within the society. Despite her experiences, Harper has no immediate plans to continue her education at King’s and is exploring her options.

She also has not decided on a career.

“In terms of my future profession, the answer is a bit more amorphous as I still have not entirely decided what I would like to do for the rest of my life. When I was younger, I would readily say I intended to be a lawyer, but as for now, I am more interested in broadening my horizons.” Harper is intent on returning home and into the arms of her family, later this year.

Please note, consult with your healthcare provider prior to performing any exercise.