Kwagala Ndawula, Grade 9
UWCEA Moshi

UWC can mean a lot to different people whether it’s about thUWCEA e community, diversity, environment or education. Starting out as a student in the Middle Years Program I noticed that my community was small and not a diverse compared to diploma, many of the students came from Tanzania and Uganda so there were not many differences or exposure to new cultures which is why I think it took me a long time to understand what UWC is truly about.The first time I started to grasp on what UWC is was when my older brother told me a story of an encounter he had with someone during orientation; it was about race and how that person hadn’t seen a black person until they turned thirteen, this came as a huge surprise and prompted me to ask more questions and have conversations with people who come from different backgrounds was shocked by all the conversations I had and how UWC exposed people to the outside world and brought about change in their habits, mindsets and overall lives.

Although I was not able to experience it, it made me understand that UWC isn’t just a place of study or opportunity, it’s an environment that opens us up to new ideas and perspectives on life. It is also a  place that sparks certain changes to everyone that’s a part of it. Being able to express our cultures and learning how to live through conversations, arguments and experiences builds up a community that is not only open, inclusive and diverse but is also about family and friendship.