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About United World College

How many times have I explained UWC in the last few months? Very often.

How hard did I have to pull myself together not to give a half-hour PowerPoint presentation? Very strongly.

How sad I was about it? Very sadly.

How motivated am I to fill this page now? Very much motivated.

But how much am I intimidated by this task because I fear I will do it not good enough? Very much very much.

Ehm. I better start now.

What is United World College?

UWC (United World Colleges) is a global education movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures
for peace and a sustainable future.

UWC

Actually, I should learn this sentence by heart, because it is a good summary of the whole story.

This whole story describes the two years at one of 18 colleges worldwide. It replaces the high school level with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The IB subjects are languages, natural sciences, social sciences and musical/arts subjects. In addition, there is CAS: Creativity, Activity and Service. All students have to do any sport, any creative activity and be engaged in a service project.

Like this, UWC manages to bring the students of all nationalities, cultures and social backgrounds together and is able to live in according to their core values:

International and intercultural understanding
Celebration of difference
Personal responsibility and integrity
Mutual responsibility and respect
Compassion and service
Respect for the environment
A sense of idealism
Personal challenge
Action and personal example

UWC

At the end of this page there is a link list if you want to learn more about UWC and its concept.

So, and what’s the cost of all this fun?

It depends on your National Committee. If you can apply via the German National Committee, the students pay only as much as they or their guardians are able to pay.

The German National Committee assigns 50 scholarships each year, regardless of the finances of the applicants. The selection is based exclusively on the suitability of the applicants. The important thing is your commitment, your motivation and your personality. Finances will not be considered until the proposed college place has been adopted.

So there are just super intelligent people!?

Again, it depends on your National Commitee. For Germany I can say: Wrong. Notes only play a minor role.

German high school students must not have a mark 6 and only one mark 5 on the last end-year certificate. The sum of the grades in the core subjects (Maths, German, English) must not exceed 10. Secondary school students must not have a mark 5 or a mark 6 on the last end-year certificate and not more than 8 as the sum of the grades in the core subjects.

Convinced! How do I applicate?

I applied via the German National Committee (NC). I had to submit a few essays in the online application portal. Before you’re scared: There is a character limit and you will often reach it and curse it again and again.

The questions to answer are something like: If you were an animal, what would you be? Or: About which three topics could you give a short TED talk and why?

It is not about delivering rhetorically perfect essays, but about showing the selectors who you are and what you stand for.

If you convinced the NC with your application, you are invited to a selection weekend. Congratulations! You will meet the other applicants and spend far too short 48 hours with them. There are also individual interviews, group discussions and other nice (really nice!) tasks.

If you want to know more about the selection weekend, write a message! Maybe one day I’ll add a blogpost, as well.

I’m happy to answer to your questions, contact me! Otherwise have a look to those links:

What is UWC?
UWC National Committees
Academic Life
FAQ

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