Youth Talk: Kurt Mañalac

Kurt Mañalac is in Grade 8 at Concordia International School Shanghai. He has found that extreme adventure seeking has led to trying lots of new things.

I started to try different things after the first time I went rock climbing. I felt so exhilarated after I accomplished that. Then I started to seek adventure-filled and riskier things. Don't worry, my mom ensures it is 100 per cent safe! This thrill for adventure has really helped me in Shanghai for the last four years. I moved here in 5th grade, and everything was way different than what I was used to. The cuisines are different, the people react differently to you, the rules on how you act are different and communicating in the streets was a bit of a struggle. I had to grow and adapt.

At school, I joined Master Chef (a class where we learn new cooking techniques and compete in teams) because I wanted to cook and be prepared for the future. I became a Middle School Ambassador because I wanted to help people and participate in events. I got to meet other students outside Concordia and we became really good friends.

Soccer is one of my favourite things. I play right mid-fielder on the middle school team. I have been playing soccer for more than five years, and I started doing so because I love running and using my feet instead of my hands. I run short distances fast – after that I get tired. I guess my hands are most productive when I play the piano and make movies on my computer, which we do quite a lot in class.

Outside of school, I love extreme adventure because these activities keep me alive. It’s like having fun, but with more risks. I go on awesome vacations, like wild river rafting, 850-meter zip line, rappelling and a lot more. Someday, I want to try skydiving or maybe bungee-jumping! I also like to perform. I’m joining a play in middle school this year, but as a backstage helper because I’m interested in the technology. Back in my home country, the Philippines, I act in short films for my cousin who is a Fine Arts student. I feel that the different exciting things that I like to do have helped me adjust well, take risks and prepare me for the bigger challenges in life.