When I was told to write up a two-page summary of my first year in United World College Maastricht, I was taken over by waves and waves of emotions. Having spent a considerate amount of time living in this beautiful madness, I can tell you that every single day has been an adventure and still is. The picture above was taken during the first few days of the year and however, while the sun has taken refuge behind the clouds, the smiles have not disappeared because of stress and deadlines.
your dreams are given birth to and there is always room for change. ‘Bailando’ rings clear from the Mensa (cafeteria) building, second floor. This where shaking hands beside your head is a sign of agreement. Stereotypes are broken and where humor is accompanied after every serious moment. Global issues are acknowledged and discussed and campaigns are carried to bring about a solution. Sunday afternoons are a synonym for studying and Saturday nights are dedicated to exploring the city. Everyday is unpredictable but thrilling. Contentment comes from discussions about life philosophies and existentialism. This is where my other home is.
It seems like yesterday I arrived at the shining campus which looked clean and alive with the air of everyone’s excitement at starting a new year and for us, starting a fresh chapter of our lives, a blank paper, ready to be colored and sprayed with memories and experiences, like the large flags hanging proud from the windows. An English-Indian-German second year living in Belgium opened our taxi door eager to help me out and take my bags, although I insisted I could carry them. He told me, before introductions ‘Don’t worry. I’m here to help.’ That was, in short, a brief idea of the support given here, it’s infinite and ever-present.
Currently, in my first year, I am still growing and getting adjusted to the IB. It takes time to get into the rigor and routine of it and I cannot say that it is easy but with good management of time, it is possible. Seeing the second years stress over their EE’s, IA’s and mocks do have an effect on you, which is why it is best to start assignments early and prioritize activities which is one of the endless lessons I’ve learned. In terms of CAS activities, the list is endless, ranging from African Dance, Bollywood Dance to Public Speaking Club. We hold three main conferences every year: International Peace Conference, TEDx and TOK Conference, all of which are student lead. There is also a sustainability conference happening next year and the regular daily events organized by the students like CandleNight, where we gather to tell stories to each other.
My family and I were stunned, at the enormity of the campus, the flowing moat around it, the three boarding houses standing strong opposite each other; but above all the people. The love between everyone was palpable and I was overwhelmed by the flurry of nationalities and names I was being told. The change-makers of the world, from every corner, compacted here in this small town in the Netherlands. 196 countries. 97 nationalities. 7 continents. 1 school. Same dream and all united under this one umbrella of a stellar education.
However, my favorite is the tradition that is UWC Maastricht only: the String Game. We tie strings around those who mean most to us, someone we want to get to know or around anyone we have something meaningful to say to. Otherwise known as the biggest tear-jerking event in the year.
Welcome to UWC Maastricht, a human version of Utopia.
One World
Welcome to UWC Maastricht. This is where birthdays are celebrated with dirt and mud and uncontrolled laughter in the middle of the moat, be it rainy or sunny, or in the shower after midnight with shaving cream, pasta sauce and various thrown at you. This is where,
The end of my first year is fast approaching, with a few months left and our second years leave in a month. However, we are in our own bubble with active citizens of the world and it is this world of mine that has had the biggest change on me. It is here that discussions of philosophy of life and ethics that prolong the night.
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