United World College of The Adriatic - Life at UWCAd

Life At UWCAd

UWCAd, following the ideals of German educator Kurt Hahn, founder of the UWC movement, believes in a holistic approach to education which makes personal development of the student central. Courses at the College are taught in English. However, students are not selected on the basis of their ability to speak English (e.g. the Italian National Committee does not consider knowledge of English a prerequisite for application.)

In addition to the requirements of the IB, the College places importance on the Creativity Action Service (CAS) requirement, which means that each student is required to commit to one creative activity, one physical activity and one social service.

As a deviation to the general requirements of the IB, all students at the College are required to study Italian. The subject, "World Arts and Cultures", has been developed in the College by Prof. Henry Thomas, initially as a school based syllabus, and is now taught by IB schools in several countries. The College also collaborates with the Scuola Trio di Trieste, which offers professional musical education. To foster excellence in music the College used to accept 5 students a year under a special music scholarship. The practice was recently discontinued in academic year 2009-10 in an attempt to standardize admission procedures.

The UWCAd additionally offers various physical activities program taking advantage out of the location of the College, close to the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, thus including activities such a cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking, kayaking, caving, and sailing. The creative activities program offers a wide variety of choices, ranging from drama to art, pottery, choir, and photography.

Students at UWCAd also take part in a variety of initiatives that go beyond the IB curriculum :

• Project Weeks. One week a year where students plan and carry out own project and write a report about it
• International Affairs and Focus. Lectures and presentations involving a speaker series, encompassing academics and international organization professionals, poets, writers and journalists, politicians, diplomats, NGO workers and scientists.
• National Weeks. Period of time during the academic year where students who belong to certain national and linguistic groups present their culture to other members of College.
• International Shows. Several times during the year students give shows consisting of dance, music and sketches. Shows might be organized to support a charity.