Wassan Nasreddin, Grade 12
UWC Li Po Chun
I remember first hearing about the UWC movement and hoping to attend one of its 18 colleges (17 at the time I applied, though). The idea of living in a completely new place, meeting people from different countries, and having the opportunity to share ideas with passionate people who share my interests, all seemed so thrilling to me. After I was admitted, my excitement grew stronger about all the experiences I’d be having.
However, as there is so much to a UWC experience, I found that staying with a host family was one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences for me. You do not necessarily think about host families when dreaming about attending a UWC, and yet it can contribute significantly to your personal growth.
Being an international student studying at Li Po Chun United World College (LPCUWC) in Hong Kong, who needed a place to stay during the winter holiday, I was invited to spend the 3-week winter break with my local co-year’s family. We spent about one week at my friend’s home in Hong Kong and two weeks in China, exploring three beautiful cities in Yunnan province.
Those three weeks hold so much meaning to me. Not only because I had the chance to visit new places and do new things that I had dreamt of trying before, but also because it taught me a lot about what life in Hong Kong is really like. By staying with my friend’s lovely family, I got to see what a typical day in their lives looks like, visited some of their relatives, and saw for myself how they interact and communicate as a family. I found myself immersed in a beautiful culture, very different from the international community we have at school. Being at LPC taught me a lot about Hong Kong, but I learned so much more about the city by living in one of its homes. It was then that I felt that I developed a better understanding of diversity, and embracing differences, which are at the heart of the UWC values.
Host families can also teach you a lot about kindness and generosity. The fact that they are willing to have you at their home, share their food with you, and take care of you the way your family would, gives you a lot to think about. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for mine, who were not only generous enough to host me but to take me around and help me make amazing memories that I will always cherish. And even now, they still check on me occasionally, showing care and support that is much needed when you’re away from home. My host family’s kindness has helped me, once again, embrace one of the UWC core values which is being compassionate and vowing to provide service to others, as I think helping others myself is one of the best ways through which I can show my gratitude.
A UWC experience has all sorts of learning opportunities. And it can put you in situations you may never expect. It is, therefore, important to make the most of all these opportunities and look for joy or growth in the simplest of details. Staying with a host family was one of the loveliest experiences I’ve ever had - one from which I learned a lot, and have very much enjoyed. It has helped me learn more about Hong Kong and its lovely people and make unforgettable memories, but it has most of all helped me shape a genuine understanding of the UWC values, which I will, hopefully, always live up to.
However, as there is so much to a UWC experience, I found that staying with a host family was one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences for me. You do not necessarily think about host families when dreaming about attending a UWC, and yet it can contribute significantly to your personal growth.
Being an international student studying at Li Po Chun United World College (LPCUWC) in Hong Kong, who needed a place to stay during the winter holiday, I was invited to spend the 3-week winter break with my local co-year’s family. We spent about one week at my friend’s home in Hong Kong and two weeks in China, exploring three beautiful cities in Yunnan province.
Those three weeks hold so much meaning to me. Not only because I had the chance to visit new places and do new things that I had dreamt of trying before, but also because it taught me a lot about what life in Hong Kong is really like. By staying with my friend’s lovely family, I got to see what a typical day in their lives looks like, visited some of their relatives, and saw for myself how they interact and communicate as a family. I found myself immersed in a beautiful culture, very different from the international community we have at school. Being at LPC taught me a lot about Hong Kong, but I learned so much more about the city by living in one of its homes. It was then that I felt that I developed a better understanding of diversity, and embracing differences, which are at the heart of the UWC values.
Host families can also teach you a lot about kindness and generosity. The fact that they are willing to have you at their home, share their food with you, and take care of you the way your family would, gives you a lot to think about. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for mine, who were not only generous enough to host me but to take me around and help me make amazing memories that I will always cherish. And even now, they still check on me occasionally, showing care and support that is much needed when you’re away from home. My host family’s kindness has helped me, once again, embrace one of the UWC core values which is being compassionate and vowing to provide service to others, as I think helping others myself is one of the best ways through which I can show my gratitude.
A UWC experience has all sorts of learning opportunities. And it can put you in situations you may never expect. It is, therefore, important to make the most of all these opportunities and look for joy or growth in the simplest of details. Staying with a host family was one of the loveliest experiences I’ve ever had - one from which I learned a lot, and have very much enjoyed. It has helped me learn more about Hong Kong and its lovely people and make unforgettable memories, but it has most of all helped me shape a genuine understanding of the UWC values, which I will, hopefully, always live up to.
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