Mark Makongoro, Grade 11
UWCEA (Arusha)
UWC isn’t a school; it’s an experience. When they say it’s a “movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures” they are being literal. My year group alone has 80+ people from all over the world. There are literally people from countries you’ve probably never even heard of. UWC also has the nicest and most genuine teachers you’ll ever meet- like my homeroom teacher Mr. Chris who’s addicted to coffee and mc Hammer and always sings na na na na can’t touch this! Or my English teacher Ms. Jessica (who could probably be an A list Hollywood actress), is so descriptive with her teaching that she even goes the extra mile of actually acting it out for the class. All these aspects actually make school fun (yeah, I put fun and school in the same sentence).
Unlike most schools, UWC makes you an all-rounded person. UWC forces you to become more involved (trust me, it’s more fun than it sounds) in many forms, like CAS, where you have to do extracurriculars that broaden thinking not only intellectually but also physically. There are also outdoor pursuits that challenge you physically (like it’s a REAL physical challenge) where you go hiking, mountain biking, camping, etc. There are also some events that students plan by themselves- this allows the students to be more creative. It also helps students become more philanthropic by emphasizing social engagements like picking up trash or planting trees all around. It helps students be good people and think of others who are less fortunate.
UWC breeds a social inclusivity culture that helps people who aren’t very social make friends in a safe, non-judgemental environment. At UWC, you make lots of interesting friends (who could debate with you for hours about the most random topics ever); this helps you learn more about different cultures from all over the world.
UWC gives you a work-life balance that helps you have a social life and a school life. This is all taught (or will be? Tan tan tan Jk) in life skills class (I mean, how many schools will dedicate a whole lesson to teach you about these important skills? Like how not to question you existence in TOK, when you have to question everything (no offense to other teacher but I think Mr. Neil is the best Tok teacher- I mean he is SO hilarious even when he’s not trying to be like when his internet randomly stops working, and he starts telling us about this Ancient time when the internet didn’t exist cough cough the 80’s, it gets us every single time because SPOILER ALERT his classroom has the worst internet connection in the entire school)
UWC opens up lots of opportunities after D2 for university (if you weren’t thinking about it, you’d definitely be now). We have college counselors (Arusha campus coming soon…) like Ms. Ford, who is the most passionate person about the university that I have ever met in my life (yes, Ms, we read the Friday email). They not only care about your academics in class, but they also want you to start thinking about your life after UWC, where you’re going, and what you are going to do to change the world as an alumni of United World Colleges (because we are going to change this world for the better).
Unlike most schools, UWC makes you an all-rounded person. UWC forces you to become more involved (trust me, it’s more fun than it sounds) in many forms, like CAS, where you have to do extracurriculars that broaden thinking not only intellectually but also physically. There are also outdoor pursuits that challenge you physically (like it’s a REAL physical challenge) where you go hiking, mountain biking, camping, etc. There are also some events that students plan by themselves- this allows the students to be more creative. It also helps students become more philanthropic by emphasizing social engagements like picking up trash or planting trees all around. It helps students be good people and think of others who are less fortunate.
UWC breeds a social inclusivity culture that helps people who aren’t very social make friends in a safe, non-judgemental environment. At UWC, you make lots of interesting friends (who could debate with you for hours about the most random topics ever); this helps you learn more about different cultures from all over the world.
UWC gives you a work-life balance that helps you have a social life and a school life. This is all taught (or will be? Tan tan tan Jk) in life skills class (I mean, how many schools will dedicate a whole lesson to teach you about these important skills? Like how not to question you existence in TOK, when you have to question everything (no offense to other teacher but I think Mr. Neil is the best Tok teacher- I mean he is SO hilarious even when he’s not trying to be like when his internet randomly stops working, and he starts telling us about this Ancient time when the internet didn’t exist cough cough the 80’s, it gets us every single time because SPOILER ALERT his classroom has the worst internet connection in the entire school)
UWC opens up lots of opportunities after D2 for university (if you weren’t thinking about it, you’d definitely be now). We have college counselors (Arusha campus coming soon…) like Ms. Ford, who is the most passionate person about the university that I have ever met in my life (yes, Ms, we read the Friday email). They not only care about your academics in class, but they also want you to start thinking about your life after UWC, where you’re going, and what you are going to do to change the world as an alumni of United World Colleges (because we are going to change this world for the better).
www.unitedworldwide.co