Impact Report 2021-2022

IMPACT REPORT

BoardofTrusteesmeetingoncampus.October,2022.

Weknowthatleadershiptakesmanyforms.It celebratesandprotectsdiversityinanyofits aspects,issues,environments,andspacesdiversityofpeople,theircontextsandabilities, andwheretheyarefrom,butalsoofnature, climates,foods,professionalteams,etc.

Sustainableleadershipnecessarilypasses throughafairorganizationalstructure.This isabasicprinciple,afundamentalvaluefor achievingpeacefulcoexistenceandprogressin anycommunity.Socialjusticeconsistsof sustainingethicalprocesseswherethereis noinsecurityandequalopportunities areguaranteed.

Leadershipalsomeansworkingwithand forourcommunities,creatingsafespaces forlistening,inclusivityandworkingto empowerothers.

AMessagefrom Mauricio&Susan

OurwarmestgreetingstoourUWCCostaRica communityofstudents,families,alumni,friends,and colleaguesspreadworldwide.Inthesetimesofsuch globaldisruption,itisaffirmingthatwearestill deeplyconnectedacrosseverycontinent.

ThisImpactReportisacelebrationofour15yearsas UWCCostaRica.Itwasayeartolookbacktohonor, enjoy,learnfromtheseexperiencesandchallenges, andappreciatewhatwehaveaccomplished, especiallyaswelaunchournewSustainability Framework,ourcompassforthefutureof thisCollege.

Thiscomingyearwewillgraduateour14th generationofextraordinarilydiverseglobal teenagers.Theyallcameheretostretchtheircomfort zones,hearts,andmindstodiscovertheirplaceinthe worldthroughafreshwiderlens.Theyhaveinspired usovertheyears,andtheystilldo.Seeinghowour 1,200+alumniarebringingtheirtalentsandpassions wherevertheirpathsleadthemgivesusgreathope andenergizesusforward.

Wearedeeplycommittedtocontinuingtobuildon theuniqueroleofUWCCostaRicaastheonlyUWCin LatinAmericaandTheCaribbean.Throughthe

incrediblegenerosityofthevanOtterloofamily,the GriegFoundation,ShelbyDavis’“DaretoDream” scholars’program,andProgramadeAcceso Educativo(PAE),wehavebeenabletosignificantly expandourscholarshipprogramgivingmoreteens theUWCCostaRicaeducationalexperience.Itis openingupsomanyopportunitiestheyhadn’t thoughtpossible,andthey,inturn,invigorateour internationalcommunity.

OfficeTitleChange

ThelaunchofourSustainabilityFramework,anda newStrategicPlan,laysthegroundforthenextfive yearsoftheCollege.Theseguidingstrategies,aresult ofmonthsofcommunityengagementandinput, energizeandpurposelydriveusclosertoournew UWCCostaRicacampus.Thisimportanttransition andshiftintoasustainabilityculturebeginnow.And weareexcitedtohaveyoujoinusonthisjourney.

UWCfounderandeducatorKurtHahnoncesaid, “Thereismoreinyouthanyouknow.”Whilehewas sayingthistoyoungteenagers,itistrueofallofus. ThankyouforallyoubringtothemissionofUWC CostaRicaandaspartnersforourfragileplanet.We aregratefultobesharingthesetimeswithyou. Withgratitude,

Chair,BoardofTrustees MauricioViales HeadofCollege

SusanMullins

ExecutiveBoard

AlonsoVenegas,AntonioGalván,AurelioRamos USA‘91,DarleneFisher,DerekBlackman,Dr.Angel Perez,ElkeRuge,LaurieS.Frank,Leonor TannahauserBlum,MichaelSternUSA’89,Renata Villers,RicardoAguirreAC‘87,RosemaryEngels, andTracyRobinson.

Wehopeyouenjoythisreportanditsinteractive featuresandbecomefamiliarwithourSustainability Framework,theprinciples,andtheactionlines.Write tous,andtellushowyoucanapplytheseprinciples inyoureverydaylife;remember,you,too,areapartof ourcommunity.

WecapturedaseriesofUWCCostaRicaMoments throughouttheyear,demonstratingtheeducational model’suniqueness.Wearealsoproudtolaunchthe UWCCostaRicaStories,aseriesofalumnistories highlightingtheirapplicationtoscalepositive impact.Enjoythesestoriesthroughtheinteractive featuresofthisReport.

YouwillfindthesetypesofQRcodesalongthe document.Whetheryouarereadingphysically,or virtually,youcanaccessadditionalinformationby clickingorscanningthecodewithyourphone.

15YearsofImpact

HONOR

WehonoredtheCollege’salumni,staff members,boardmembers,donors,friends,and familieswhohavemadeitpossibleto accomplishthis15-yearmilestone.Proudly,we finishedtheacademicyearwiththegraduation of76studentsfromtheClassof2022who joinedtheworldwidealumninetwork.

Weshared thestory ofthebeginningofthe Collegeanditslegacy,thanked theeducators whohavebeenwithusformorethan15years, andcheeredforthemorethan 1,200alumni whohelpedusgrowintowhowearetodayand makeusproudofwheretheirlivesare takingthem.Wealsohonored themembers whogaveustheirtimeandpassionformaking usastronger,successfulCollege,andwe remembered allthepeople whoarenolonger withusbutwillforeverstayinourhearts.

CELEBRATE

WecelebratedwhatUWCstandsforon UWC Day andthecapacityofthe2ndyearstudents toquestionwheretheirknowledgecomes fromatthefirst TOKExhibition.

Wewanttothankeveryoneinvolvedduring ouryear-longcelebration,especiallyall educatorsandstudentswhoactivelyplanned andparticipatedineachcelebration,including theexcitingandemotional on-campus celebration inMarch.Ourspecialguest,Faith Abiodun,ExecutiveDirectorofUWC International,said, “Thejoyfulatmosphere createdbystudents,facultyandstaff, managementteam,boardmembersand

volunteers,wasjustwonderful.(...)Iwasstruck bytheownershipthateachofthem demonstrated.Itwasexcellenceinpractice, andIknowthatthesameappliesateachofour schoolsandcolleges.”

AstheUWCmissionsays,wemakeeducationa forcetounitepeople,nations,andculturesfor peaceandasustainablefuture.These15years werejustthebeginning.Allthatwehave accomplishedisthroughthesupport, dedication,andenergyofourverylarge “village”ofalumni,students,families,the Board,advocates,andcommittededucators andstafffromallcornersoftheglobe.

GETEXCITED FORTHEFUTURE

Wearecommittedtoworkingtowardsa sustainablecampus.Withthepublicationof the SustainabilityFramework,wewill highlightandpushallpossibleeffortsthisyear towardthesegoals.Staytunedtoour newslettersandsocialmediachannels,where wewillsharetipsandbestpracticesyoucan implement.Weofficiallylaunchedour StrategicPlan andcontinueworkingonthe NewCampusproject.

WiththepublicationofanewImpactReport, werenewourdedicationtosupportour communityonourpersonalandcollective journeyofgrowthanddiscovery.Theseare challengingtimesintheworld.Neverhasthe needbeengreaterfornurturingandeducating youngpeopletopreparetobeethical, compassionateleadersonthesmallestand largeststages.Weareonthisjourneytogether.

Clickorscantowatch allofthe#uwcmoments

ModelUnitedNations

ThroughauniquevirtualsessionofModelUnitedNations, studentsandguestshighschoolsfromCostaRicaengaged inhealthydebatestofurtherunderstandworldissues,diving deepinknowledgetoproposewaystosolvethem.Haveyou everwonderhowcanayoungpersonchangetheworld?

ArtExhibition

Artisaformofexpression.Artisanever-evolvingconcept. Artbringsjoyandnewmeaning,anewlight,colorintoour world.Perspectives,backgroundsandideascometogether inahubofinterculturalcommunication.What’syour meaningofart?

#IMPACT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

EQUITY

Thesustainabilityframeworkonwhichthe Collegeisbasedalignswiththe17sustainable developmentgoalsoftheUNandconsidersit necessarytohighlightgoalNo.5: Achieve genderequalityandempowerallwomen andgirls.

TheCollegehasagreatcommitmenttofemale empowerment.Thisisaverydifferentreality fromtheLatinAmericanandCaribbeanregion which, accordingtoUNICEF,isthemost unequalintheworld.AttheCollege,wehave morepersonswhoidentifyaswomen(54%) thanmen(46%)onourstaff,andtherearemore womenontheManagementTeam,aswellas withintheBoardofTrustees.

TheCollegehasnodifferentiationinestimating aposition’ssalarywhenitcomestogender.

Thatiswhythisyearwewanttocelebratethe effortthattheCollegemakesinofferingasafe spaceforeachwomaninourcommunity.Thank youallforbeingpartofthisorganizational cultureofrespectandequity.

Sustainability ActionOverview

SustainabilityforUWCCostaRicaisunderstoodasamindset andethicalguidelineforbalanceandwell-being;embracing theconceptofreciprocity,itmeansunderstanding ourselvesaspartofaninterconnectedanddiverse communityoflife,whereeachofouractionsaffects somethingelse.Weaskourselves:howcanwecreatea cultureofsustainabilityfortheUWCCostaRica?

Keymilestonesareorganizedbyactionlines,asper theSustainabilityFramework.

Mappingtoidentifykeyspaces forimplementationthrough existingstructuresand calendarsindifferentaction areasoftheCollege.

Simultaneouslypilotingand implementingsustainability activitiesthroughthese structures.

Co-CurricularProgram: Sustainability-relatedCAS actionsandstudent-led activitiesandprojects (includingAgentsofChange projects).

CommunityActionWeek: “Sustainabilityand Interconnectedness”focusing onsustainablefoodsystems, biodiversity,andconservation. 1week,SanIsidro.

AcademicProgram: BiologyClass:Carboncycleand Forestmanagement.LinktoSan Isidro’sconstructionandthe possibilityofbuildingwith woodandutilizingnon-native cypressintheproperty.

ResidentialProgram: WorkwiththeWellnessteam forend-of-yearcampsustainabilitycommitments byresidency

OutreachProgram: Developmentof360 SustainabilityExperience (Programwithexternal consultantCarineGibert), linkedtotheSustainability philosophyoftheCollege.

Buildawarenessandmake visiblepatternsof consumption,useandwaste

SustainabilityCASactionsand discussions-VisitRecyclable WasteSeparationPlantin SantaAna

Executionofthe15th Anniversary,andGraduation eventsusedlocalproductsand providers

Follow-uptoadherenceto sustainability recommendationsfordesign, planning,andconstructionof newcampus(technologies, materials,sustainability certifications,etc.)andidentify educationalopportunities.

Alignandintegrate SustainabilityFramework intothenewStrategicPlan Sustainabilitydeterminedas keyforStrategicPlan20222027:StrategicLine1“Transitiontoacultureof sustainability”

LaunchofSustainability Framework-during15th Anniversarycelebration

Workwithfoodsystemsand organicproduce

Organicproduceorchardmakingbiofertilizerswith microorganismsintheforest.

CollaborationwiththeMinistry ofAgriculture(MAG).

Alliancesandcommunity engagement

MinisteriodeAgriculturay Ganadería(MAG)|Centro AgrícolaCantonalSanIsidro, ColectivoAgrícoladeZurquí| CorredorBiológicoParáToyopán|Environmental OfficeMunicipalidadSanta Ana&SanIsidro|Ministeriode Ambiente-SistemaNacional deÁreadeConservación (SINAC)|ProParques|UWC Movement

Coordinationofthe communitymappingof SanIsidro(culturalmapping)

StrategicPlansession. December,2021.

TheFutureofUWCCostaRica

OnDecember2021,theUWCCostaRicacommunity cametogetherfortheStrategicPlanningevent. Students,alumni,educators,boardmembers,and friendsfromdifferentpartsoftheworldcame togethertocontinueenvisioningthefutureofthe Collegeandmakeaplantoaccomplishour community’sprojects.InAugust2022,thenew StrategicPlanwaslaunchedandcameintoeffect!

Howwewillgetthere?

ThroughthefiveStrategicLines:AStrategicLineisa specificpaththatwillleadoureffortstoreachthe 2027vision.Theyrepresentthedifferenttopicsthat willguideouractionsandresources.

Weareaworldreferenceinsustainabilitybyourmeasurableimpact,attractinghighly committedstudents,educators,andotherstakeholderstoouruniquelocation.Wehave achievedorganizationalmaturity,reflectedbyefficientplanningandaccountability, integratedpoliciesandprocedures,improveddecision-making,andfinancialstability.Our educationalmodelreflectsourvaluesandisanexampleoftheimpactthatweaimtoseein theworld,particularlyinthewell-beingofourstudentsandeducators.

15Years

InspiringImpact

September9markedtheofficialstartofayearthathonored ourstory,celebratedthepresent,andgotusallexcited aboutthefutureofUWCCostaRica.Overthepast15years, wehavegrownimmensely,andthisisjustthebeginning.

“EducatorsandleadersofUWCCostaRica:yourunique positiontofostersafeandhealthyenvironmentsforevery personatthecollegetothriveandbecomethebestversion ofthemselvesisanenormoustask.Icongratulateyouand celebrateyou.Noneoftheaccomplishmentsinthelast15 yearscouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutyour dedicationandvocation.

FriendsandsupportersofUWCCostaRica:Ihavewitnessed withpridethiscollege’sexponentialgrowthandvision.Your partnerships,knowledge,andsupporthavebeenof immensevaluetotheschoolonthisjourney.Ourheartfelt thankstoyouandcongratulations!”-HerMajestyQueen Noor,PresidentofUWC,addressingtheUWCCostaRica communityatthe15thAnniversarycelebration.

Detailofmuraloncampus. CommunityActionWeek.February,2022.

Finances

Beingawareofourcultureofconsumerism andwaste,itsdevastatingimpactonthe environment,andourroleinpropagating ithighlightsthechangesneededinour everydayhabitsandpatternsifweareto obtainSustainability.

Framingouractionswithinvaluesthat promoteaSustainableculture,westriveto makedifferentchoicesandactaccording tothosevalues.Thus,awarenessisthefirst steptowardconsciouschange.

FinancialReport Strategy&Governance

Siteofthefuturenew UWCCostaRicacampus.March,2022.

Astheworldresumedmore“normal”activitiesatthe College,wecarefullyforecastedtoenroll195 students(187enrolledasofOctober2021).Even thoughthefinalstudentpopulationwas179 students,theCollegeresponsiblymanagedits expenseswithoutsacrificingthecareandsafetyof thestudents.

WiththeBoardofTrustees’support,theCollege continueditspreventiveandrestorative maintenanceoncampus.Withover$185,000of infrastructuralinvestment,hereisasummaryof someofthemajorimprovementsrealizedoncampus duringthe2021-2022academicyear.

•Totalreplacementoftheroofsinstudents’and staffresidences

•Hotwatertankreplacementineachresidence (andupgradesinshowers).

•ACafeteriamake-over!Anewsetoftables,chairs, andcozyseats.

•Overallcampuschairreplacement:morethan 500chairswerepurchasedforcommunity events,theamphitheater,thelibrary,the terraces,andtheresidences.

Student-ledHolicelebration. May,2022.

Students

Despitealowerstudentenrollmentduetothe pandemic,westillhad62nationalitiesrepresented oncampusthankstothesupportofourimmigration andadmissionsteam,whohelpedstudents overcometravelchallengesduringtheglobal pandemic.TheUWCmovementfacesahighgender imbalancerisk,andUWCCostaRicaisno exception,withmorefemaleapplicationsand enrollmentnumbers.

ThisyearwecelebratethesigningofaMemorandum ofUnderstanding(MOU)betweentheCostaRica

NationalCommitteeandUWCCostaRicato strengthentherelationshipbetweenour organizationsandalignourvision.Bysupporting thehiringcostsforapart-timecoordinatorto supporttheNationalCommittee,wehavealready seenimprovedresults,likemoreCostaRican studentsbeingnominatedtotheUWCmovement— from18in2020to21in2021—andwithhigher financialcontributions.

Graduation Classof2022

TheClassof2022 hadthegreatpleasureof celebratingtheirGraduation,forthefirsttime,offcampusattheCostaRicanConventionCenter.Over 400people,includingarecordnumberof42families whotraveledfromallovertheworld,werewelcomed byanoutstandingperformancebytheaerialsilkCAS team.Duringthistwo-hourceremony,morethan 1,500peopleconnectedduringthelivestream.

“Classof2022:Itwillbeunfairtorememberyousimply asthegenerationofthepandemic.Youhave demonstratedthatyouaremuchmorethanthat.You havedefinedyourlegacyforUWCCostaRicaandthe cominggenerationsas“proactivethinking,creativity, community,resilience,growth,sorority,andcollective healing.”Youdescribeyourselvesas“TheUnited Generation.”Morethananyothergeneration,you genuinelyhavebecomeveryUnited.Ihaveseenyou developsolidskillstoovercomechallengingand uncertainsituationsandmaturefasterthanevenmany ofusdidwhenwewereyourage.”

–MauricioViales,HeadofCollege.Graduationaddress

TheEducatorAward recognizesthethree educationalcomponentsofUWCCostaRica’s distinctiveEducationalModel:Co-curricular, Academic,andResidential.Second-yearstudents selectedtwoeducatorswhodemonstratedaspecial connectionandsupporttotheclassof2022andwho

alsohadthepleasureofbeingthemastersofthe ceremony.LeilaMata(FormerResidentialLife Director)andStevenJohanson(FuturePathwaysand UniversityCounselor)weretherecipientsofthis award.

“Butterflies,asymbolofourUWCCostaRicaalumni,are aperfectexampleofatransformationalprocess showingafascinatingandprofoundchange,startingas acaterpillar,becomingapupa,andfinallybecomingan adultbutterflywhentheyarereadytoflyandlive independently.Finally,theybecomeadultbutterflies, contributinggreatlytotheregionalecosystem, flutteringandtransferringpollenfromoneflowerto another.Theysaytheflutterofthebutterflieswingshave animpactveryfaraway–andsowillyou.”

–MauricioViales,HeadofCollege.Graduationaddress.

Camilla,Kobe,andElla,deliveredthestudent speechesastheytooktheaudiencethrougha recountoftheirtwo-yearexperience.

“Ihavelearnedsomanythingsinsuchlittletime.Ihave learnedthemeaningofcompanionship,ofhowtobe compassionateforsomeoneyoucherish.Ihavelearned themeaningofforgiveness,toreflectonpastmistakes, andgrowfrompreviouserrors.Ihavelearnedthe importanceofvaluingoneself,andvaluinghowothers treatme.”–Kobe’22

Students:Graduation

Finances

“Thecyclethatweclosetodaybeganinuncertainty.Not onlydidwecreateourfirstconnectionsfromadistance, butwithinaphysicalspacethatseparatedus,wefaced theenormoustaskofrethinkingthewaywe communicatewitheachother.Weprobablyliveinavery differentUWCfrompreviousyears,butatthesametime thisscenariomadeusrethinknewpossibilitiesofliving andbeingUWC.”–Camilla’22

“Wehavebeengiventhegreatestgiftofopportunity.But evenmoreso,wehavebeengiventhecouragetoturn thatopportunityintoreality.Dispersedarrivalsand onlineclassesduringourfirstsemestergaveusthe opportunitytoslowlyunravelallthepieceswhichmade upourgeneration.Wekeptourheartsopenin anticipationofthenextarrivalandadditiontoournew home.Wemadethebestofit,andwiththat,IbelieveI canspeakonbehalfofthewholegeneration,thisisour home,anditsabsencefromourliveswillnotbeaneasy feattoovercome.”–Ella’22

Students:Graduation

FuturePathwaysOffice!

Changeof OfficeName

Duringindividualstudentmeetingsandon-campus residencevisits,UniversityCounselorsnoticedthat manystudentsfeelmoreuncertainabouttheirpostUWCplans.Everyyear,moreandmorestudents consideranon-traditionalpathway,gapyear,orshort diplomacourseandnotjustastraightCollege/ Universitypathway.BeginningwiththeClassof2023, theUniversityCounselingOfficebecomesthenew FuturePathwaysOffice.

Thischangeinnameopensthedoorformore approachableandpersonalizedconversationsand allowsstudentstoexplorewheretheyareintheir post-UWCplanningprocess.TheFuturePathways andUniversityCounselorshavebeenholistically guidingstudentsnotjustforUniversity/College applicationsbutotheroptions,inlinewithworking towardsnewacademicandeducationalimaginaries ofasustainablefuture.Thisprovidesstudentswitha spectrumofpossibilitiesandmakesthemfeelbetter supportedinfiguringouttheirfuture.

Outcomes

14first-generationgraduates, thosewhowillbethe firstintheirfamilytoattenduniversity,received scholarshipstocoverthefullcostofattendancein theUnitedStates;thevalueofthesescholarships rangesfrom$47,000to$94,000peryearperstudent.

26studentsaccepted fullcostofattendance scholarshipstoattenduniversityintheUnitedStates.

19%ofgraduates plantopursueanincrediblearray ofgapyearexperiences,rangingfromnational servicetoeducationinternshipstoSemesteratSea andGlobalCitizenYeartoimmediateplacementin theworkforce,amongotherthings.

University Matriculation

Asia

NewYorkUniversityAbuDhabi

Yale-Nus

Canada McGillUniversity QueensUniversity TheUniversityofBritishColumbia UniversitatdeMontreal UniversityofToronto UniversityofWaterloo WesternUniversity

Europe AmsterdamUniversityCollege AmsterdamUniversityofApplied Sciences

CatholicUniversityofLouvain CentralEuropeanUniversity

CollegeUniversitairedeSciencesPo DelftUniversityofTechnology ÉcolehôtelièredeLausanne

ErasmusUniversityCollege ErasmusUniversityRotterdam

ESADEBusinessSchool

ESCPBusinessSchool

GroningenUniversity

JohnCabotUniversity LeidenUniversity ParisCollegeofArt

Polimoda-theFashionSchool

PublicUniversityofNavarra

20% ofstudents

81% ofgraduates

2019-2022

TechnicalUniversityofDelft TilburgUniversity UniversityCollegeRoosevelt UniversityCollegeUtrecht UniversityofAmsterdam UniversityofMaastricht VrijeUniversiteitAmsterdam

Caribbean UniversityoftheWestIndies

UnitedStates AmherstCollege BarnardCollege BatesCollege BenningtonCollege BowdoinCollege BrandeisUniversity BrownUniversity CarletonCollege CaseWesternReserveUniversity ClaremontMcKennaCollege ClarkUniversity ColbyCollege

ColgateUniversity CollegeoftheAtlantic ColoradoCollege

ConcordiaCollegeAtMoorhead CornellUniversity DrexelUniversity EarlhamCollege EmersonCollege

FordhamUniversity

FranklinandMarshallCollege FurmanUniversity GeorgetownUniversity GettysburgCollege GrinnellCollege HamiltonCollege HarvardUniversity JohnsHopkinsUniversity KalamazooCollege LakeForestCollege Lewis&ClarkCollege LutherCollege MacalesterCollege MethodistUniversity MiddleburyCollege MinervaUniversity MountHolyokeCollege NewYorkUniversity NorthwesternUniversity OberlinCollege OccidentalCollege OklahomaUniversity PitzerCollege PrincetonUniversity QueensUnive RhodesCollege

RinglingCollegeofArtandDesign RochesterInstituteofTechnology SkidmoreCollege SmithCollege SouthernMethodistUniversity StLawrenceUniversity StOlafCollege St.JohnsCollege StanfordUniversity TheCollegeofIdaho

TheNewSchool

TrinityCollege TuftsUniversity UniversityofAmherst UniversityofCalifornia-Berkeley UniversityofCalifornia-Los Angeles UniversityofCalifornia-Santa Barbara UniversityofChicago UniversityofFlorida UniversityofNorthCarolinaAt ChapelHill UniversityofOklahoma UniversityofPennsylvania UniversityofRichmond UniversityofRochester UniversityofSouthFlorida UniversityofWisconsin-Madison VanderbiltUniversity WakeForestUniversity WartburgCollege WellesleyCollege WesleyanUniversity WheatonCollege WhitmanCollege WorcesterPolytechnicInstitute

UnitedKingdom

King’sCollegeLondon,University ofLondon

RoyalVeterinaryCollege, UniversityofLondon

SOASUniversityofLondon TheUniversityofEdinburgh UniversityArtsCollege,London UniversityofBrighton UniversityofGlasgow UniversityofNottingham

Detailofmuraloncampus. CommunityActionWeek.February,2022.

Educational Model& Programs

Weknowthattoachievetruesustainabilitywe needtochangeourperceptionoftheworld andeducationisthewaytodothis.Weseethis astransformativethinkingandeducationfor thefuture,constructionandsharingof knowledge,preservationofmemory,accessto informationforall,learningbydoingin differentcontextsandlearningfromand innature.

Weareaimingtobuildnewparadigms, educationalandcultural,thatfocusoncreating bridgesandhighlightinterconnections betweenknowledgeareastogenerate cooperativeactionsandvisions.Thisimplies implementingcurriculaandprogramsbased onacultureofsustainabilityandleadingtothe riseofalternativecurrentsofthought.

YearbookPhotoshoots. May,2022.

ResidentialLife

TutorGroups

Madeofoneeducatorand10-11students,itisoneof thekeysupportnetworksavailabletostudentsat UWCCostaRicaastheybuildstrongrelationships withtheirtutorandtheirpeerswhilegainingnew perspectivesoutsidetheirusualsocialgroups. Meetingweekly,theyalternatebetweengroupand individualsettings,withthetutorsfacilitating activities,discussions,andgamesfromtheannual tutorprogram.Tutorsfollowuponthestudents’ integralwell-beingandensuretheyhavethesupport neededonlineoroncampus.In2021-2022the programwasvitalforthestudents’outingsasthey organizedmanyoff-campusleisureactivitiesthat allowedstudentstogettoknowSantaAna.

Orientation

OurFirstNonBinaryResidence

Thisyear,wecelebratehavinganon-binaryresidence oncampus!Afteryearsofworkingontheproposal alongsidestudentsandeducatorsandcreating strategiesforfamilies,educators,andstudentstofeel included,Malpaís—previouslyaboys’residence— becameanon-binaryresidence.Notallstudents livinginthisresidenceidentifyasnon-binary,but everystudentandtheirfamilychosetobepartof Malpaís.Aswecelebratereachingthismilestone,we startedourplannedprogramtoensureotherspaces oncampusarealsonon-binary(restroomsespecially) andtoprovideeducationandtohelpourstudents andadultcommunitytobetterunderstandand practiceinclusion.

Thefirstfewweeksofouracademicyearare designedtohelpstudentsunderstandandgetready fortheirnewhomeandtheCollege’ssystems. ResidentialLife,Co-CurricularandAcademics developtrainingsandsessionstohelpstudentsfrom theverypractical—likechoosingtheirsubjectsand co-curricularactivitiesorlearninghowtoaccess studentservicesandsupportsystems—tobuilding communitybygettingtoknowtheirresidence, roommates,tutorgroupandpeers.Butorientation startsbeforestudentsarriveoncampus.Startingin May,wehostonlineworkshopswithourincoming class—bothstudentsandfamilies—sotheycanmeet eachotherandsupportthemwiththeadmissions paperwork,andtheemotionalpreparationfortheir newexperience.

v

WellnessProgram &TransitionProgram

TheWellnessProgramaimstotrainstudentsandstaff inwell-being,self-care,andhealthyhabitsasalife competencewhileatUWCCostaRica.In2021-2022 theprogramincludedmanyactivitiesandprograms designedtoreachWellnessgoalssuchaslearningto liveinamulticulturalsetting,conflicttransformation, teamwork,preparingforthenextstagesin life,inclusion,andmanymore.Someofour highlightsincluded:

DessertNights

18workshopsdedicatedtotopicslikeanxiety,time management,homesickness,healthyhabits, InterculturalCommunication,andmanymore,also reinforcedduring Re-ChargeWeek inOctober.

First-YearCamp

ResidenceAssistant(RA)

Program

Apeersupportprogramwheretwostudentsare chosenbytheirpeersperresidence.Thesestudents receivementalhealthfirstaidtrainingandmeet everyotherweekwithaWellnesscounselortofollow uponconcerns,keeptrainingupdated,share feedbackabouttheCollege’sWellnessstrategies,and supporteachother.Thisyear,60studentsappliedfor our16RApositions.

ComprehensiveSexuality Training

•Broadenedourfocusfromconcentrating exclusivelyonconsenttoincludingtopicssuchas powerdynamicsoncampus,typesof boundaries,safeandunsaferelationships, andmore.

•MaggieBryce’13—asexologistexpertin workingwithyouthonsexualandreproductive health—visitedcampusforaweekinOctoberto deliveraseriesofintegralworkshopsfor students.Shecollaboratedwithfellowalumni RonanKaras’14whohasbeensupportingthese topicsaswellasinclusionpoliciesinourCollege aswellasinotherUWCs.

AdditionalHighlights:

•ActivitiesduringRe-ChargeweekinOctober

•Broughtanexperttoprovide InclusionTraining foreducatorsandstudentsduringorientation.

TransitionProgram

InalliancewiththeAlumniEngagementProgram andtheFuturePathwaysOffice,theprogram providesactivitiestohelpstudentsandfamiliesturn thechallengesoftransitiontimesintoopportunities: entrancetoUWCCostaRica,becomingasecondyear,andtransitiontotheirnextstageinlifeas alumni.Throughtheprogram,studentsandfamilies gainknowledge,tools,skills,andsupportnetworks tonotonlycopewithchangebuttransformitintoan opportunityforpersonalgrowthanddevelopment.

•VirtualprogramwhereClassof2021alumnigive advicetotheClassof2022tomakethemostout oftheirsecondyear.

•Time-managementworkshopofferedbyAvthar Sewarathan‘14.

•In2021-2022welaunchedourFarewellCamp.An off-campusweekendexperienceforsecond-year studentsfocusedonpreparingthemfortheir transitionasUWCCostaRicaalumni.Throughout theweekendstudentsnotonlygettimeand spacetostartsayinggoodbyetotheirfriendsand theirUWCexperience.Theyarealsogiventools tohelpthemthroughthistransitionsuchas managinggriefanduncertainty,resilience,and self-reflection.

•HonoringSophie’sLife:TheTransitionProgram honoredtheLifeofSophieSpooner‘09.

Counseling

Fourpsychologistsworkasemotionalcounselorsin theWellnessProgram,providingemotionalsupport tostudentsoncampus.Supportedbyexternal psychologistsandpsychiatrists80students benefitedfromtheseservicesoncampus.

CostaRica’s

IndependenceDay

OneofthemostcolorfulandsymboliceventsinCostaRica aretheparadesandfestivitiestocommemorateour country’sIndependenceDay.OnSeptember15th,thousands ofpeoplegatherthroughoutthecountrytocelebratewith lotsofmusic,artanddanceperformances,commemorating notonlyCostaRica,butallofLatinAmerica.

UWCDay

September21isthedaywecelebrateworldwideUWCDay! Thisyear,theglobalcommunityofalums,students, educators,NCmembers,friends,andfamilieswereinvitedto cometogether,reflectonandactuponthisyear’stheme: “ReimagineTomorrow.”

TheSASSY(StudentAcademicSuccessSystemfor Youth)programlookstoidentifypossiblecandidates’ academicandemotionalbackgroundsinorderto devisestrategiestosupportfuturestudentsand definethestepsneededforthemtoprepareforthe UWCCostaRicaexperience.SASSYsupported10 candidatesalongwiththeirNationalCommittees andrespectiveSOSVillagesin2021-2022.

SevenSOSVillagesfromLatinAmericasubmitted possiblecandidates,decidedtheywerenotready, andwithdrew.OnlySOSVillagesfromNepal remainedthroughtheprocesswiththreecandidates.

Throughouttheyear,theprogramofferedthe followingservicestosupportstudentswiththeir academicneeds:

•Weeklyandbiweeklymeetingsinbothgroup andindividualsettingsforanystudentwho neededacademicsupport—fromevaluationsto supportwithorganizationalskills.

•Follow-upsessionsforteachersandthewellness teamtosupportthestudents.

Onefull-timeteacherofferedEnglishclassesasa secondlanguageto20+studentswhileother studentswerereferredforspecificlanguageneeds.

AgentsofChangeCamp. October,2021.

Co-Curricular

TheCo-curriculardepartmentdevelopsa philosophicalframeworkofdecolonialism,equity, anddiversitythroughalltheeducationalexperiences offeredtotheUWCCostaRicacommunity.Withthe consolidationofatrackingsystemtoevaluatethe impactoftheprogramthroughoutthestudents’two years,thedepartmentfocusesonqualityover quantity;theconsolidationofasolidCommunity

Actionprogram(CommunityActionWeekandthe firstCommunityActionWeekend);andthe adaptationoftheprogramtowardsadecolonialism, diversity,andinclusionmindset.Theseaimswere accomplishedthroughleadershipbasedon empathy,equity,clearpurpose,andintention reflectedinthedesignoftheeducationalexperience.

TOTALCAS EXPERIENCE HOURS 15,904

isaprogramthatprovidesstudentswiththe opportunitytolearnaboutsocial,cultural,andhistoricalaspectsofCostaRicaandits provinceswhiletheyvisitimportantplaces,interactwithlocalpeople,andcontribute totheireconomy.Duetopandemicrestrictions,onlyfouroutingshappenedlastyear. StudentscoulddiscovertheprovincesofCartago,Puntarenas,andSanJosé.Looking ahead,studentscansignupforatleastoneoftheeightoutingsscheduledforthenext schoolyear!

The

CommunityActionisacoreprogramoftheCo-CurricularDepartmentandisonethe CASpillars(Creativity,Action,Service).InFebruary2022,11projects(doublethe numberfromlastyear!)enabled202studentsandeducatorstoengagein4,567hours ofpositivesocialimpactonandoffcampus—animportantspacetodevelopandfoster allianceswithexternalcommunitiesandorganizations,justasweusedtodobefore thepandemic.

Week-longstudent-ledthematicweekswereorganizedthroughouttheyear.AfroCaribbeanWeek,AsianWeek,MediterraneanWeek,SouthAmericanWeek,Women’s Week,andQueerWeekwereorganizedusingthemethodologyofExperienceDesign. Theentirecommunitywasinvitedtolearnbyexperiencinganddeconstructing importantissuesofeachofthecommunitiesrepresented.

TheAgentsofChangeCampcamebackin2021toofferourstudentsinspiringexperiencesto motivatethemtodeliverpositivesocialimpact.Inthis2-dayon-campusevent,studentscould choosebetweenthepathsofsocialentrepreneurship,STEM,andactivism/advocacytoideate projectstomakeachange.AsuccessstoryfromthecampistheSustainableMenstruation project,developedbyastudentandsupportedbytheCollege.Withanapprovedbudgetof $2,500,everymenstruatingfirstyearwasprovidedwitheitheramenstrualcuporasetoftwo reusablepadstocreateawarenessofsustainableperiodproducts.

GettingtoKnowCostaRica

Classof2022Yearbookphoto:Biologyclass. May,2022.

Academics

EnglishALanguage&Literature(SL/HL)

EnglishALiterature(SL/HL)

SpanishALanguage&Literature(SL/HL)

LanguageALiteratureself-taught(SL)

Individuals&Society

Economics(SL/HL)

Environmental SystemsandSocieties* (SL)

GlobalPolitics(SL/HL)

History*(SL/HL) Psychology(SL/HL); SocialandCultural Anthropology(SL/HL)

NOTE:OurHistoryinEnglishwillonlybeofferedinSL.

SampleofTopics,ResearchQuestions, andStudents’Rationale

Biology

Topic:TheeffectofGammafrequencies BinauralBeatsonWorkingMemoryinpeople withADHD

ResearchQuestion: TowhatextentdoBinauralBeats audiosignalsinGammafrequenciesimproveWorking Memorycapacityinthephonologicalloopsystemof peoplewithattention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder?

Student’srationaleandreflection: “Duringthesummer,Ivisited thescienceinstituteandlookedintotheactinproteinchiral structureincells.However,Ifoundmyselfmorehighlyconnected andmotivatedtoinvestigatetheneurobiologyofADHDasIwas diagnosedmyself.IcameacrossBinauralBeatsonline,andafter researching,Idecidedtofocusonit.Ifoundseveralfactors relatedtoADHD,BinauralBeats,andMemorythatIwouldliketo focuson.LookingbackatwritingmyEE,Ilearnedalotaboutthe neurobiologyofADHDandthedifferentscientificresearch approaches(structure,dataanalysis,etc.).Iunderstoodthe importanceoffindingdifferentnon-drugmethodsforpeople withADHD.Oneofthethingsthatwentwellinmyresearchwas thememorytestandsoundIchosethatfitmyresearchquestion. Iamdelightedtohelpandinfluenceseveralpeople'sstudy methods.Inthefuture,Iwillreconsiderincreasingthe samplesize.Thisessaymademegrowasalearnerandperson.It gavemehighmotivationtopromoteADHDtreatmentsandan understandingofmycapabilities.”

Mathematics

Topic:Amathematicalapproachtocalculate thevalueofPi

ResearchQuestion: “Howarewetofindtheinfinitevalue ofPiandthedifferentwaysconvergingtheinfiniteseries whilecalculatingPi?

Studentsrationaleandreflection: ”MyEEisaboutfindingthe valueofpithroughdifferenttermslikeinfinitetermsaswellas throughthemoderntimepseudocodeandalgorithms.Iam interestedinfindingoutwhypihasaninfinitevalueandtheways tofindthisvalueeasily.Moreover,Iwouldliketoknowhowpi affectsthedifferentcalculationsinmathematics.Mymaingoalin myeeistofindouttheeasiestwaystocalculatepithroughpast solutionsdonebymanymathematiciansandtheimprovements thataredonetothosesolutionsbymodernmathematicians...”

GlobalPolitics

Topic:TheeffectivenessofMorocco’s migrationstrategiesininfluencingSpain's positiontowardtheconflictinWesternSahara

ResearchQuestion: “TowhatextentwasMorocco’s migratorystrategytoinfluenceSpain’spositiontowards theWesternSaharaeffectiveconsideringdomesticand internationalreactions?”

Student’sreflectionaftercompletionoftheessay: “AsIfinished myEEprocessIfeltgenuinelysatisfiedandproudofmywork.In IBGlobalPolitics,conceptsandtheoriesareoftensimplifiedfor educationalpurposes,nonetheless,havingtheopportunityto divesodeepintoarelativelysimpleeventgavemeawholenew perspectiveofinternationalrelationsanditsdynamics.Indeed,I wasabletoobservehowthemultipleactors,motivations, underlyingcausesandhumanbehaviorsresultintrulycomplex eventsandconflicts.Thishelpedmetogrowasalearnerby broadeningmyscopewhentryingtounderstandissuesofa globalcomplexnature.”

EnglishA

Topic:AnExplorationofFeministCriticismin AliceWalker’sTheColorPurple

ResearchQuestion: “HowdoesAliceWalker’sdefianceof traditionalliterarystructuresandconventionsinTheColor Purplesubvertcommonarchetypesofthefemalefigure andexperience?”

Studentsrationaleforthetopicchoice: “Duetomyinterestin literature,IchosetoconductmyEEwithinGroup1.While contemplatingaliterarywork,Iconsideredavarietybefore selectingAliceWalker’sTheColorPurple.AroundthetimethatI madethisselection,Ibecamemorefamiliarwiththe contemporaryterm,usedinliteraryandfilmanalysis,knownas thefemalegaze.Theconnectioninmymindbetweenthenovel anditspresentationofthefemalegazewasevident.Reflecting onthisprocess,IhaverealizedthatproducingmyEEwasakey steppingstoneformuchoftheotherprojectsIwasinvolvedin afterwards.Forme,Walker’sdepictionofthehumanconditionis onethatcaninsomewaysberelatable,andsimultaneously foreign,butitisthroughreadingthroughthislensthattheworld becomesmoreapparent.”

ToKExhibition (‘22cohort)

InSeptember2021,15studentsfrombothTheoryofKnowledge andTeoríadelConocimientopreparedtheirdisplaysforourfirst everexhibitionevent,alignedwiththenewcurriculumforthe course.Thisisamandatoryassessmentforstudents,whocomplete theessentialworkattheendoftheirfirstyearatUWCCostaRica, andwewerequitehonoredthatfromthe‘22cohort,these particularstudentswerewillingtoshowcasetheirexemplary displaysofknowledgetobenefittheunderstandingofthenext cohort.ThisisawholeCollegeeventtocelebratetheacademic achievementsofourstudentsandthenewknowledgetheyhave gainedthroughthisrigorouscourseaswellasconnectionsmadeto theirothersubjectsandlifeexperiences.

Thestudentschoosefrom35differentprompts,allpresenting challengingknowledgequestionstowhichtheyneedtorespond withtheuseofthreereallifeobjects.Studentswhochooseobjects thataremoremeaningfultothemselvesusuallyfindgreater applicationsofthedrivingquestion:HowdoesToKmanifestitselfin theworldaroundus?DespitesomebarriersremainingfromCOVID, wewerethrilledtohavethiseventinpersoninandaroundthe socialcenteratourCollege,welcomingalladultsandstudentsto comeobservethesignificantworkourstudentshadpreparedand theirbeautifuldisplaysofknowledge!

Clickorscan towatchthisyear’s ToKExhibitionrecap

DuetotheCOVID-19emergency,ourjointprograms andrentalshadtobecanceled,butweworkedon developingthebusinessmodelforthefuture Sustainability&InnovationCenterlocatedinournew campusofSanIsidrodeHeredia.

Sustainability&Innovation CenterbyUWCCostaRica

Wewillbuildaninnovationcenterforlearningthat offersauniqueinfrastructurewithroomandboardin CostaRica,immersedinnatureandonly25minutes awayfromtheairport.

•Here,guestswilllearnandexplorethrough innovativemethodologiesandcollaborationto generatepositivesocialimpact.Allthiswhile sharingspacewithyoungpeople,educators, companies,andexpertsfromaroundtheworld andinteractingwiththelocalcommunity.

•ThestartingpointofthedesignoftheOutreach andInnovationbusinessmodelisourthreelongtermobjectives.

Long-termObjectives

ExpandtheimpactofourCollege,makingtheUWC missionandeducationaccessibletomoreyouth andeducatorsinCostaRica,LatinAmerica,and theCaribbean.

Jointheleadershipofaneducationalrevolutionand becomeahome,heart,andcenterofeducational innovationandsocialtransformationinCostaRica, LatinAmerica,andtheCaribbean.

Contributetothefinancialsustainabilityofthe College,creatingnewsocialbusinessmodelsforthe NewCampusandstrengtheningexistingonesthat supportthesustainabilityofourmission.

Products&Services

Wecreatedacatalogofproductsandservicesasa collectionofbusinessopportunitiestocontributeto thefinancialsustainabilityoftheCollegewhile expandingourimpactandjoiningtheleadershipof theeducationalrevolution.

Thefollowingproductsandservicesarereadytobe implementedatdifferentphases,accordingtothe businessdevelopmenttimeline,andcanbe implementedcurrentlyintheSantaAnacampusand scaledwiththenewSustainability&Innovation CenterinSanIsidro.

•Studyabroadprograms

•ImpactRentals

•360°SustainabilityExperiences

•UWCEvents

•HubforEducators

Wehopeyouwilljoinusinournewcampusaswe continuetodesignandbuildanewhubfor educationalinnovationandsocialtransformation.

NewCampusScheme

Detailofmuraloncampus. CommunityActionWeek.February,2022.

Alumni

TwoyearsatUWCCostaRicaarethebeginning oftheUWCjourney.EverygenerationofUWC CostaRicaisnurturedtobecometheirbest selves,empoweredtobeagentsofpositive change,andsupportedbythegenerosityofa communityofgiving.

Eachofour1,200+alumniiscalledtousethe knowledge,skills,tools,relationships,and experiencestheygainedatUWCCostaRicato finduniquewaystolivetheUWCmissionto transformsocietythrougheducationby makingapositivedifferenceinthemselves, theirfamilies,andtheircommunitiesthrough care,integrity,andtheirvisionandidealismfor amoreequitableandsustainablefuture.

OurUWC4Lifeprogramkeepsouralumni communityconnectedwithUWCCostaRicato continuouslysupportandinspireoneanother.It facilitatestheactionsofreciprocitythroughwhich ouralumnigiveforwardtheirTime,Talent,and TreasureinsupportofthecontinuityofUWCCosta Ricaandinthespiritofreciprocityandkinshipthat bondsgenerationspast,present,andfuture.

ThousandsofpeopleinvesttheirTime,Talent,and Treasurebecausetheybelieveinourmissionto makeeducationaforcetouniteandineach student’spotentialasagentsofpositivechange.

Bigorsmall,eachcontributionsecuresthelongtermsustainabilityofUWCRica.

RinaSakata‘14from HongKong

Rinaistheco-presidentofSTEMLink,a teamofgraduatestudentspromoting communicationbetweenbudding researchersandthepublictoincreasethe understanding,interest,andparticipation ofSTEM.

YoniVeldhuis‘17 fromtheNetherlands Wasavolunteerforournewresearch program,monitoringthefaunaatour newSanIsidrocampusbyputtingup cameratrapsthatweusetodocument theanimalsthatwillbecomeournew neighbors.

FrancescaBiondiMorra‘16 fromCostaRica,Italy, &theUS

Donors

UkraineScholarshipFund

AstheUkrainianinvasionbegan,theconflictandits repercussionsbecameverypersonaltotheUWC CostaRicacommunity.Insolidarity,westoodwith thethreestudentsandtheirfamiliesastheir circumstancesradicallychanged.Thestudents’ familiesweresogratefulgiventheescalationofwar inUkraine.Theywererelievedthattheirstudents weresafeinCostaRicaandcouldrealizetheirdreams ofthisuniqueeducationalandlifeexperience.

Andsowerewe.

LedbyourBoardofTrustees,theUWCCostaRica communitycametogethertoraise$59,173in4 monthstonotonlyturnapartialscholarshipintoa fullonebutalsohelpsupplementthescholarshipof twootherstudentsfromUkraineandonestudent fromBelarus.

“IamsogratefulthatyouhelpedmetobeapartofUWCCostaRica.Itis aplacethatmakesmysoullive,feelandenjoyapeacefullife.Awide rangeofpeoplehereinfluencemyworldview,andtheIBprogramhelps todeepenmyknowledgeindifferentspheres.Thehelpthatyouprovide inspiresmetonotstoponthewayandonlymovetomyfuturegoals andimprovetheworldforitssustainableandpeacefulfuture.”

-Iryna‘24(Ukraine)

OurSupporters

ThesecondcohortofGriegScholarsarrivedon campusinAugust2021.InDecember,Ingvild Hestad,GeneralManageroftheGriegFoundation visitedwiththestudentsandlearnedabouttheir passionsandambitionstomakeapositiveimpact intheworld.

Educationforchildrenandyouthisourmainpriority. Webelieveeducationisthefoundationtoimproving people’slivesandtocreatemeaningfulchange becauseeducationempowersandmakesitpossibleto pursuedreams.–TheGriegFoundation

Asmallfamilyfoundationthatpromotessocial investmentinCostaRica,Honduras,ElSalvador, Guatemala,Nicaragua,andPanamahascosponsoredascholarshipforaCentralAmerican studentatUWCCostaRicasince2016: LeslieBoc‘22(Guatemala)istheirlastscholarofthe StrachanFoundation.Afterasuccessfulyear,Leslie receivedafullscholarshiptoattendTuftsUniversityin Massachusetts,UnitedStates.

Detailofmuraloncampus. CommunityActionWeek.February,2021.