NEWS

Candle Flame Organized by Rethink ICU

Update: May 25, 2023

Organized by the student-run Rethink ICU, a Candle Flame event was held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Physical Education Center. Under a welcoming atmosphere, approximately 120 participants, including freshmen to seniors, took part in the event where they gathered around a candle and engaged in dialogue on the theme of "My Life at ICU".

The event opened spectacularly with a first-ever collaborative performance between the cheerleading club, ICU Angels, and the Latin American music and batucada society, ICU Lambs. This was followed by a non-verbal activity where participants communicated in a group without speaking. Next, in the midst of the lighted candles, the ICU a cappella club, Unbrand, gave a magical performance. After sharing the rules of dialogue, such as not negating the opinions and values of the other person, participants then proceeded to engage in dialogue centered around issues which included a letter mentioning the loneliness which can be felt at ICU. Finally, participants were encouraged to write "a message to yourself, strolling along the campus one month from now" on a small piece of paper and place it inside an envelope before leaving the event.

Comments from participants included, "I was able to acknowledge myself." "Accepting that there was no need to be perfect was a relief." The event provided a place for participants to engage in dialogue, free from rightfulness and norms, where anxieties and loneliness could be mutually alleviated through an expanding circle of dialogue.