Mohammad Ali Slayie, Grade 11
​UWCEA (Arusha)

United World Colleges are some of the most diverse places to be. Coming to United World College East Africa for me as a person who has never been out of his country is an experience that always teaches me something and influences me with everything it has.

To be honest, some days may pass with no particular events, but when I try to give myself time to think, I remark on how much I have improved. I got to know cultures that I have never seen or heard of and met people from countries that I have never imagined I would see due to politics that cut connections between my country and the outer world.  I now can say that I have friends from all over the world.  I got to know somebody from Somaliland; I know that it is not recognized by my country and I have never heard about it before. I also made a friendship with many South Americans (Peru, Chile, Argentina, & Brazil) who are from a continent that I always wished to meet somebody from, but at this time I did not get to meet one but many.
Such a fantastic sense comes to me when I see people at my school feeling as if they are at home even though they are from various places, enjoying and celebrating the differences. Here, we learn that we are all related somehow. Everyone is respected with their identity, culture, and beliefs.

Moreover, here you can see the broad knowledge UWC brings to the students. We get together to raise awareness and celebrate international holidays and help society.
Furthermore, I have taken part in the Pamoja walk in which both Arusha & Moshi campuses walked 9 kilometres to meet each other after walking all together 18 Kilometers to represent the 18th school UWC East Africa (the newest UWC). I met many many people, it was so hard to remember the names of all students, since we were more than eighty students having fun together. We danced, played, spent time together and got to know each other. I made many friendships; I got closer to people from my campus while we were walking together like my friend Shaheen who is from Zanzibar, Tanzania. 
From Moshi, I met for the first time my friend Johanna who is the first South Korean I have ever seen in my life. In Pamoja school, local students were so welcoming and happy to host us. Then all of us were divided into groups to make services like helping to build and organize some places. Besides, the nature of Tanzania was charming and breathtaking while passing through numerous villages. It was a wonderful experience when I got to meet so many people.
Personally, I feel that this school is the best school I have been to, since its mission is not only academic but also to provide activities about life, about us, about the world, simply about everything that helps us get better and evolve.

​UWC is a small community with all nationalities. Everyone is welcomed to come regardless of their culture, belief and background, there is always sufficient aid (need-based scholarships) to gather us in a way that is fair and equal for all students.
In conclusion, UWC is the best school because it aims to make education a force to unite cultures, nations and people for peace and a sustainable future.