UWC Costa Rica - if you know, you know! Spending two very relevant years thrown into a tropical environment with people who have grown up in cultures very much unlike the ones that have been prevalent in my upbringing has been nothing but immensely educational. Understanding this diversity and therefore losing the grip I had on my identity at the time may not have been the most enjoyable parts of UWC, but they have been the ones I am and will be most grateful for. Reflecting upon the ways in which I had lived up until the point before coming to Costa Rica and redefining my values have continuously been the greatest opportunities the community of UWC has offered me. I will never think of UWC and not immediately associate it with growth, self development and most importantly, community.
UWC helped me come closer to my home country. Macedonia, or North Macedonia, has often disappointed me because of its permeating corruption. I used to diminish this part of my identity until I learnt to focus more on all the beautiful things I had experienced and been a part of, as well as the beauty of my language. I have learnt to balance appreciating my personal critiques of the more bitter parts of the systems that are in place alongside the delicious cuisine my country offers!
Getting acquainted with the values of the community of Lewis & Clark was a pleasant experience as I came to find that quite a bit of the values of this college overlap with those of UWC, and those I have decided to nurture in myself. The opportunity to explore my interests through the appealing curriculum LC offers is undeniably one of the major reasons I have decided to enroll, accompanied by LC’s focus on a diverse community and sustainability. And, of course, LC being a Partner Institution in the Davis UWC Scholars Program was a telling sign that this is surely a place that I can call home. Making sense of the world around me with the help of the Sociology & Anthropology department has been very enriching, and I am excited to continue growing in this field while also exploring fun extracurriculars!