A message from the team:

Hello everyone! We hope you have had a great month, and we hope that you enjoy this issue of the newsletter! The theme for this month is the ocean, so we hope you appreciate our ocean-themed graphics. We hope you enjoy the articles!

- The FIS Newsletter Team

CULTURE

POLITICS/LAW

ENTERTAINMENT

CULTURE

In the beginning

Pirates have been the scourge of the seven seas since ancient times; we find reports on ancient clay tablets from Pharaoh Akhenaten's rule in 1350 BC mentioning shipping attacks in North Africa, and documented mentions of ocean raiders called the “Sea people” in 14th century BC attacking  Aegean and Mediterranean ships. Greek merchants trading with ports in Phoenicia and Anatolia would often make casual comments implying piracy, and there are multiple works of fiction (such as the Aethiopica by Heliodorus of Emesa in 3rd century AD and Homer’s the Iliad and the Odyssey in the 8th Century BC) that make consistent references to acts of piracy. The first recorded use of the actual word as we know it was by Roman historian Polybius, as he mentioned “peirato” in around 140 BC. 

Basic. Probably the most insulting thing you could call a 14 year old girl. I would know. I use it all the time. But the thing that I never got is why people care. Why is it a bad thing to follow the crowd? Why does it matter if I shop at the same stores, or own the same top or listen to the same overplayed artist? It's truly a blatant display of this sort of 'modern day' misogyny. No matter what you do, you're hated for it. You're either a 'pick me' or 'boring'. You're either 'not like other girls' or you're basic. Most women spend their entire lives trying to 'not be like other girls', in the hopes that if their 'special' or 'unique' society might like them more, and men might hate them less. And the worst thing is that nowadays the only people that care are women. The very same people that are the victims, are also the aggressors. We tear each other down in the hopes that it might help build ourselves up when really all we're doing is making the world worse and making our own lives harder. Women are shamed for not wanting to fit into society's standards and in response they shame the women that do. It just ends up with everyone hating themselves and everyone else. It's completely counterintuitive, destructive and - unfortunately - inevitable. 

Pointing out the obvious isn't going to fix the world and all of its issues but I hope maybe this will be your reminder to just let people do what makes them happy. And then leave them alone. I'm going to leave you with the wise words of some random underpaid and uncredited Hollywood writer: "Men hate women. Women hate women. It's the one thing everyone can agree on."

 School is an important part of our lives. After all, this is where we spend most of our time. That being said, in addition to studying, we also live. Sooner or later, all students grow tired of endless assignments and tasks. Today we will dive into the main features and differences of the school year in different countries.

First of all, did you know that in Estonia students only have 175 days of school per year on average, while China has a massive difference of 245 days in secondary schools? Well, I didn’t. 

Estonia not only has 175 days of school per year, but it also has an average of 11.5 weeks off for summer break. Personally, this sounds very desirable to me, especially if we compare it with Hong Kong -  Local schools here only get 6 weeks off! They also have only 6 hours of school every day on average! After this research, I am really jealous of Estonian kids.

China has the highest average amount of school days worldwide for primary school students, and the secondary school lasts 245 on average under the current system. During summer break, students often go to summer school or prepare for admission tests. Its typical school day is a crazy schedule from 7:30 am to 5 pm. The school day for high schoolers even starts at 7:00 a.m. and can be extended until 9 pm or later.

While South Korea may be an interesting country to visit, going to school there is not very fun. The outstanding quality and rigour of the Korean education system are well known, but students' study hours are extremely long. High school students often spend 12 or even 15 hours a day studying, including time spent studying in classrooms, "self-study" courses, and assignments etc. After school, many Korean high school students go to "cram schools" to study, which by law can last until 10 p.m. On top of that, they have a minimum 220-day attendance requirement for all three levels. To put it in perspective, schools in Hong Kong have 190 days on average. 

Finally, you may be wondering whether France is the country with the fewest days of schooling per year. Surprisingly, our school year typically consists of approximately 144 to 183 instructional days, depending on grade level. But we are still lucky enough to have an average of 162 days in school. However, this is still a longer school day on average compared to other countries. 

It’s interesting to find out how the number of school days varies significantly around the world due to diverse educational systems, cultural practices, and national police. While some countries prioritise longer school days and hours, others emphasise a balanced approach that includes shorter school days and longer breaks to promote student well-being and encourage ECAs. 

SCIENCE/WELLBEING/THE ENVIRONMENT

The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the most magical wonders in the world. Extending for over 2,300 kilometres along the northeastern coast of Australia, it is the largest coral reef in the world. In fact, it is so large and prominent that it can be seen from outer space! The reef serves as a home for over 9,000 species, including sharks, turtles, and a large variety of beautiful fish of all colours and species. However, the number of corals is starting to depreciate very rapidly.

 The primary threat is coral bleaching, which occurs when corals are under stress. The heat stress that comes from a rise in water temperatures and increased UV radiation causes the coral to expel the microscopic algae (called zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, leading to their losing their colour and giving them a skeleton-like ppearance. These algae were vital in absorbing nutrients from photosynthesis, so by losing them, corals are at a higher risk of starvation and disease.

 In spite of that, there are a number of scientists from every corner of the world who are trying to discover innovative ways of preserving the coral in the reef. It seems as though scientists believe that we may be too late to remedy the issue of global warming and are beginning to search for alternative solutions. For example, a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota was the first to attempt to freeze coral larvae from the Great Barrier Reef in the hopes of reintroducing them to the environment later on, perhaps when the water conditions were better.

 The Great Barrier Reef certainly is a beauty—it is one of the seven wonders of the world after all! That being said, at the rate at which the issue of global warming is worsening, it may not appear this large and exquisite for much longer. We can only hope that scientists and climate researchers find a way to preserve this incredible habitat.

Sources:

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-barrier-reef/

https://wwf.org.au/what-we-do/oceans/great-barrier-reef/

https://www.barrierreef.org/the-reef/threats/coral-bleaching

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/19/scientists-pioneer-game-changing-freezing-technique-that-could-save-the-great-barrier-reef#:~:text=Scientists%20hope%20to%20save%20the,coral%20bleaching%20and%20invasive%20species.

Axolotls, scientifically known as Ambystoma mexicanum, are fascinating amphibians native to Mexico. Not only do their distinctive abilities of regeneration captivate many, but so do their abilities to change their skin pigmentation. The Axolotl is legendary for being inhibited by Xolotl, the Aztec god of fire and lightning, disguised as a salamander in order to avoid being sacrificed. Currently, these beloved creatures are labeled as a critically endangered species as their populations continue to decline. 

An axolotl’s lifespan

In captivity, the influence of diet, genetics and water quality determines the longevity of these creatures’ lives. Typically, this can range from 10 to 15 years; on rare occasions, some even live up to be over 20 years old if taken care of properly. Contrastingly, Axolotls in the wild tend to live for shorter periods of time as a result of multiple challenging factors: habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing. 

Appearance

One of the most distinguishing features that set Axolotls apart from other creatures are their frilly external gill stalks on the side of their heads which aid them with underwater breathing. Adults grow up to 23 to 30 cm long, allowing their long, slender bodies, binded to a flat tail to propel themselves through waters effortlessly. Additionally, 2 miniscule legs positioned on each side of their bodies allows them to take advantage of a side to side motion, which is highly efficient for moving through the water. Despite their many strong swimming adaptations, Axolotls prefer inhibiting slow-moving or still waters. Furthermore, Axolotls are capable of Metachrosis: a process which allows them to change the intensity and pattern of their skin colouration by redistributing the pigments in their skin. This can occur as a response to multiple stimuli- stress, injury, light, or temperature.  

Regeneration

A unique trait of the species is their ability to regrow almost all parts of their bodies because of their cell reprogramming capabilities. This phenomenon leaves scientists curious, yet hopeful that these studies can help improve treatments for severe injuries and help unleash regeneration potential for humans. Having said that the Axolotl and humans shared a common ancestor in the distant past, it would make sense that we may have a similar regenerative capacity in our genetic codes. 

How do we prevent the Axolotls from going extinct?

If this continuous pathway of human development in Xochimilco were to increase, it is definite that the Axolotl will go extinct within the next 10 years. Firstly, by donating to reliable fundraisers, we can support people who clean up wetlands where the Axolotls live, or those who keep multiple as pets. Surprisingly enough, by making Axolotls available to pet owners capable of taking care of them, you can increase their chances of survival as less than 1,000 remain in the wild. Finally, recycling and avoiding plastic containers are the best ways to prevent pollution. The quality of air is substantial to these species as they breathe through their skin and gills, making this extremely impactful towards their health. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl

POLITICS/LAW

It is no secret that we are in the midst of an international climate crisis. While it may be true that a significant amount of global superpowers are aware of the urgency of this crisis and the extent of the damage we have dealt to our world, our approach to climate change is still a controversial topic. We find ourselves asking - is it too late? Have we passed the tipping point of no return? This, coupled with a sad reality where certain global powers and many private firms place heavy emphasis on economic growth, and thus are not willing to make take action, has led many island nations to announce their own plans, aiming to adapt to the effects of climate change in the short term, rather than investing their resources into long-term solutions which mitigate the effects of this crisis.

Contrastingly, many global powers put greater emphasis on the necessity of long-term, sustainable change. Comparatively developed countries, such as the UK and China, have emphasised goals of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality through investment into green alternatives, exclusively establishing themselves as global leaders in the fight against climate change. However, given the isolated nature of island nations and their arguable insignificance on the global stage, these aforementioned countries may not see it in their interests to fund or invest in its local mitigation effects, since it ultimately may not be strategically or economically beneficial to them.

Tuvalu is facing sea level rises four times greater than the global average. They have recently announced its efforts to recreate itself in the Metaverse. This decision was ultimately made in an attempt to protect their culture and heritage in light of the worsening rising sea levels and climate change. This is significant as it emphasises their preference to adapt rather than to mitigate. This marks a major tipping point in combating the crisis of rising sea levels, suggesting that Tuvalu believes that it is too late to make a significant change, and thus prioritizes adaptation to its impacts rather than the mitigation of such. The foreign minister of Tuvalu even stated “The last thing we want is that countries in the Pacific are used against each other or used as pawns.”

Specifically, while Tuvalu has continued to upkeep and expand its numerous renewable energy and mangrove-planting projects, reducing carbon emissions and holding the line against the effects of rising sea levels respectively, it has still turned to adapting to the seemingly inevitable effects of climate change. 

We should take the situation in Tuvalu as a serious warning - if a country is so genuinely concerned that they may become submerged soon, something must be done. In coming years, we may see other Island Nations turn to similar solutions to preserve their country, especially if they are in jeopardy of losing their homes.

Get ready for some random knowledge!

GERMANY

• Sunday is a quiet day

• No piano tuning after midnight

• Do NOT wash your car at home

• Pillows are considered a highly passive weapon

• Gender of the child/person should be very clear from the person’s first name

FRANCE

• You are legally allowed to marry your first cousin

• You must always have hay at home

• You don’t have to be alive to get married (marriage to dead people is legal)

• It is illegal to disinherit your own kids

• You are allowed to steal from your family

BRAZIL

• Hunting is strictly forbidden in Brazil since 1967

• Wearing a helmet inside premises is illegal

• Using any technology inside a bank agency is illegal

ITALY

• Pigeon and kebab-lovers must stay hungry for a long time

• Eating on the streets is forbidden in Florence

• No noisy slippers/sandal/flip-flops

INDIA

• Women can’t work at night in factories

• Suicide is legal but an attempt is not

• Public display of affection is not allowed

• Pimping ( drug distribution ) is illegal but prostitution is not

SINGAPORE

• E-cigarettes are prohibited

• No playing musical instruments in public

• No connecting to someone else’s WiFi

• No importing, selling or eating chewing gum

• No drinking after 10:30 pm sharp

• No feeding pigeons

DUBAI

• PDA is prohibited in public places

• Drinking or keeping alcohol with you in a public place is prohibited

• Swearing in public is illegal

• Eating, Drinking or smoking is prohibited in the month of Ramadan

These are just some of the crazy rules in just a few countries. 

STAY WAITING FOR THE NEXT NEWSPAPER! Don’t forget to tell your friends about these interesting but random facts.

Sources:

https://travel.earth/22-unusual-laws-to-keep-in-mind-when-you-travel/

https://www.farandwide.com/s/weird-laws-world-4961c1ede8d749bf

Contrary to popular belief, networking in law school is more than simply putting new case files in your file cabinet or adding more professional contacts into your phone. It is a skill for connecting with other like-minded specialists in the sector and establishing a larger network for your own benefit. Regardless of its significance, networking is rarely introduced in schools. This means that people who are interested in this skill just have to be naturally good at socialising or are social extroverts. This article aims to inform readers regarding the matter of networking for lawyers and its role in the field of law. 

What is networking? Networking is the act of communicating and engaging with different people for mutual advantage. If you're experiencing difficulties with your work, your network could potentially be able to provide support. Struggling to catch big clients? No worries; your friend’s older sister just divorced their husband. Court time! Furthermore, you'll also be able to share your knowledge and skills with friends, which will further strengthen your bonds. But don't get me wrong: you don't have to be friends with someone just because of their connections and capabilities, but it is always smart to consider these paths of friendship. Nevertheless, in any professional area, including law, your reputation holds just as much power as your abilities. In simple terms, you have to put forth an intentional effort to portray yourself appropriately to the appropriate individuals. 

“Networking is personal marketing," says Christine Comaford. (American serial entrepreneur) “If people know you and trust you, they're far more likely to work with you.”

Despite the fact that it can be achieved to have a successful life without being deliberate about developing professional relationships at every opportunity, it is typically far more challenging to come across opportunities that are most suitable for you and are perceived as an ideal match for individuals deciding on hiring options in the future. Individuals and firms in charge of recruiting fresh faces for the team often keep a network of their own at heart as they weigh their preferred decisions, so maintaining such connections may be highly advantageous and useful. Moreover, networking is extremely crucial in the legal profession, since it helps corporations and individuals get representation in court. In addition, it helps law students to locate their ideal internship or job. It can also help you access essential insights into the industry or possibly discover an experienced mentor who will assist you in reaching the highest levels of the law profession.

Sources: 

https://www.lawstudies.com/articles/the-importance-of-networking-at-law-school https://smontgomeryconsulting.com/blog/why-does-your-law-school-alumni-network-matter https://www.pinterest.com/pin/lawstudent-lawschool-lawschoolvisionboard-darkacadamia-lightacadmia-in-2023--327496204168145477/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/171840542025891474/ 

SPORTS

Michael Fred Phelps II is a former American competitive swimmer and is known as the most decorated Olympian to date, winning a total of 28 Olympic medals (more than 161 countries, with 23 of those medals being gold). He announced his retirement from swimming on the 12th of August, 2016. 

Born in 1985 in Maryland to one Michael Fred Phelps and Deborah Sue Phelps, Michael Phelps was the youngest of 3 siblings. He began to swim at the tender age of 7, partly due to his and his sisters’ love for swimming as a sport, but also due to needing an outlet for his energy. Although he couldn’t sit through class without fidgeting, he was able to swim for up to 3 hours in the pool after school and was eventually diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9. 

By the age of 10, Phelps was a nationally ranked swimmer, holding the national record for the 100 metre butterfly in his age category. Soon after, he began to train at the North Atlantic Baltimore Aquatic Club under the strict supervision of coach Bob Bowman. Phelps recalls that “Bob and I didn’t seem like a good match at all. I was the goofball; he was the taskmaster”. Despite this, he has said that "training with Bob is the smartest thing I've ever done ... I'm not going to swim for anyone else." 

Phelps qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics at 15 years old, making him the youngest male (since Ralph Flanagan in 1932) to make the US Olympics swim team in 68 years. Although he won no medals, he made the finals. In the 2001 World Championships Trials, he broke the world record in the 200-metre butterfly and became the youngest male to ever set a world record in swimming. At the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Phelps broke his own world record in the 200-metre butterfly, marking his beginning as a world champion. 

His streak of success continued, and at the 2003 Nationals, Phelps became the first American swimmer to win 3 different races in 3 different strokes at a national level. At the 2003 World Aquatics Championships, he also won four gold medals, two silver medals, and broke five world records. Phelps also broke his first world record once more on July 22 in the semi-finals for the 200-metre butterfly, becoming the first man ever to swim under 1:54.00.

Following numerous medals, awards and world records, Phelps announced his retirement prior to the 2012 Olympics in London, becoming the first male swimmer to win the same individual event at three consecutive Olympics. However, this retirement was short lived, with him returning to the competitive swimming scene in 2014. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Michael Phelps would go on to astonish in winning another 5 gold medals at the age of 31, “well beyond the typical peak for male swimmers”. Following his unique performance at Rio de Janeiro, Phelps retired once more from competitive swimming, choosing instead to focus on his family and soon to be born son. Over the span of his career, he set 39 world records, and to this day, 4 of them still stand.

ENTERTAINMENT

SUMMER

The shimmering waters reflect the almost identical coloured sky. Brilliant shades of blue ranging from a deep, dark azure to a pale, soft cerulean. The ocean is never silent, not even at night. It’s always accompanied by the sound of mirth from people swimming in the water or chatting idly on the shore, the waves crashing into rocks - sometimes violently, sometimes gently - and birds shrieking when humans shoo them away from their bags of chips.  

There’s not just blue though…there’s golden too. The aureate grains of sand cover people’s hands and feet, finding its ways into drinks and sandwiches and getting into eyes. The yellow sunlight shines bright from the sky, making the ocean light up like a mirrorball. A blue canvas covered with golden sequins and glitter. 

AUTUMN

The ocean is blue. Not just because of the colour, but also because of how melancholic it is. It almost seems like it’s in low-spirits. The waves lap against the shore lazily and lifelessly. People have begun to abandon beaches. The sun starts to no longer glare its vivid beams down onto the sand and water. Life is slowly leaving the shores and waters.

Beautiful leaves of gold, orange, amber and yellow paint the ocean and sand with rare colour. The decaying and shrivelling leaves scattering themselves on the ground, drowning in the seas and flowing in the wind. 

WINTER

It’s gloomy. The skies are grey and sad, the clouds drift aimlessly like wanderers and the sun plays hide and seek with the Earth. It appears rarely, people catch glimpses of yellowish daylight before it vanishes in mere seconds. 

Lonely people will sometimes roam the shores, clutching their scarves tightly around their necks and tugging their beanies down to cover their ears. Sand trickles into their boots as they take slow, hopeless steps across the shore. Racked with shivers whenever cold water splashes against their skin or seeps into their socks.

SPRING

Life returns! It comes back slowly…The sun begins to show its face and flowers begin to bloom. Flowers of different shades float gently from their places in trees and bushes, down onto the sand and into the ocean. Petals of opalescent hues crowd the sand. 

The flowers come back first, and then the people. It starts with late-afternoon walks, when bellies are full of lunch and warmth begins to envelope people like a blanket. Elderly couples walk with linked arms, going back and forth until they get tired and seek refuge on a bench. Teenagers shout and laugh amongst each other, sharing gossip and throwing frisbees at each other. Children run into the wet sand and parents chase after them breathlessly.

The ocean’s waves begin to sound happy again.

He walks by me everyday now. 

I hear the loud bark of his terrier, his girlfriend’s nasal voice. I see him yawning, a cup of instant coffee in hand, stumbling over dirty laundry.

He’s not a morning person. 

Look, I’m not stalking this guy. At least not by choice.

A fly buzzes around the warm room, lazily landing on the door of my cage. It tickles as it moves, soft and light. I could touch it, the quivering gossamer of its wings. Except I can’t. All I would feel would be frigid, empty air.

I am inside a mirror. And here’s how it works. 

One, you can’t break the glass. I’ve tried. 

Two, the inside of the mirror is…complicated. The space surrounding me is just a copy of whatever it sees. The unpleasant sofa - here with me. The same goes for his plants, his dog, even him. When the real fly touches the mirror, an identical copy of it crawls around on my side of the mirror.

These copies aren’t real. I can’t interact with them, and they disappear when they leave the mirror’s range of sight. Sometimes it’s hard to find the mirror that separates the two worlds, but when I do, I beat on it until my hands bleed.

And yet they don’t. That’s another thing, I can’t bleed.

I can’t talk, breathe, eat or feel. There is something in me that knows this isn’t right. I am alive, it’s my nature. It screams out, clawing. I can almost feel it - but I can’t. I don’t know what I look like, sometimes I can’t even see at all. 

All I see and feel is cold, hard glass. Laughing.

The fly is buzzing. I can hear here and on the real side. I wish the guy had a carnivorous plant - anything to stop that infernal taunting of life.

I don’t know how I got here.

It lands on my surface again, tip tapping. 

I don’t know my name.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz-

My hand whips out and I release a wordless scream. I touch nothing. It wanders away, clueless. I can’t cry. I can’t do anything but pretend that I’m real, that I can feel.

Raw pain - building inside me, twisting and morphing into something real.

The guy enters.

I find the mirror, and I beat it. I smash and punch and pound and batter.

I let loose. I am giving my all.

Please. Please.

When the mirror creaks, I stop in exhausted surprise. The guy’s head swivels, and he and his mirror copy approach the mirror, two perfect images coming together.

When they touch my surface, I shiver. Please.

He almost seems to see me. He gives the glass a knock.

Then he walks away.

No.

NO NONONONONONONONO

no. 

I cling to the malicious glass, and I feel pain for the first time. The mirror is breaking, not on the real side, on mine. Its shards embed themselves into my skin, slicing at me. The reality of the mirror begins to distort and disappear, as it loses its connection to the outside.

No more dogs or ugly sofas.

It makes me laugh. 

I crack it more, feeling blood trickle down my wrists. The last pieces of it disintegrate and I can finally breathe as we die, together.

But we all know that a mirror never dies. 

There is a woman in your mirror.

I’m begging you. Just look. 

I am right there.