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Secondary school abroad
Global education movement now available in Ireland.
The United World Colleges is a global education movement which aims to bring together young people from all over the world, regardless of their ability to pay. There are 10 United World Colleges around the world, where international students aged 16-19 live, study and participate in community activities together.
The United World Colleges Ireland has the respected peacemaker and Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume as its patron. The UWC Ireland committee selects and sends 2-4 Irish students to its colleges each year. Irish students in the past have gone to Atlantic College in Wales, Adriatic College in Italy, Armand Hammer College in New Mexico, U.S.A, Pearson College in Canada, and Li Po Chun College in Hong Kong.
SpunOut.ie had a lovely chat with an Irish UWC student currently studying in Costa Rica:
What made you decide to give UWC a go?
When I first heard about UWC as a movement, aiming to use education as a force to unite people from all over the world, it immediately appealed to me. I always wanted to travel and to learn about other cultures and I took it as an amazing opportunity to do so. It seemed these schools were not just places where you would go to sit in lessons but instead they offered a much better rounded education, between the challenging yet rewarding International Baccalaureate program and the emphasis on extra-curricular programmes in the areas of creativity, action and service. The thought of spending two years living in a community of similarly enthusiastic and idealistic young people somewhere that could be as far away as the other side of the world sounded like it would be an exciting and unique experience.
How's the experience been for you so far?
So far, it has been a very positive experience for me at UWC Costa Rica. Over the past few months I have come to know so many amazing people from every corner of the globe. You gain a unique insight into their lives, what it may be like to grow up in their country. I have learned things that I never would have known otherwise, about others and about myself. Living in such an international community has given me a stronger sense of cultural identity but has also encouraged me to think more critically about the world around me.
I have also had the opportunity to travel around some of Costa Rica with the school. So not only have I experienced living in a close-knit international community, but I have also had the chance to learn about Costa Rica itself and what life is like for local people and outside the college in general. I also hope to be part of a service project that is going to Nicaragua in a few weeks time, which should be another great learning experience.
What would you tell other young people who have never heard of UWC or who like the sound of the programme?
UWC is very special and I cannot imagine that there are many other organisations geared at secondary school students that offer the same kind of life-changing experience.
It is a big commitment, but you really do get back what you put in to the school. There is always something to do here, whether it is academic or extra-curricular work, so you will never be bored. Life here is very hectic however so be prepared for it, especially if you are the kind of person who likes to burn the candle at both ends. It is not uncommon to find people in a heated discussion that does not end until the early hours of the morning and there are so many after school programmes to choose from you could easily be busy from 7am to 9pm between classes, social outings and whatever extra-curricular activities you decide to choose from, whether it is mountain biking, belly dancing, photography or whatever else you may be interested in (there is a lot to choose from!).
If you like the sound of the programme, I would definitely recommend applying. It was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made!
