Maia Abroad: UWC Waterford

My school got out last week, and I’m finding myself facing a six-month stretch with no school. I’m glad to have a chance to relax and prepare for UWC, but I’m also worried that I’ll get bored. Most of my friends will be entering grade 12, but I’ll be getting a job and working in order to help my parents with my tuition costs. Most UWC students will start their journeys in September, so my path will be a little different. I think my greatest fear is that I’ll get out of the habit of self-motivation, and I’ll forget the things I learned in school this year. Basically, I don’t want to arrive at Waterford unprepared. I’m excited about getting a job – I’ve not had one before and I think it’ll be a really good experience for me to gain more independence, as well as practice working hard so I’m more ready for the pressures of Waterford. I also hope to continue doing volunteer work – I want to volunteer for the elections when they come up, as well as do some volunteer work with refugees in m

After you’ve been accepted to whatever UWC you’re going to, the Canadian National Committee will connect you with your mentor. I’m not sure how it works in cases where there’s a large Canadian group at the school, but there’s only one other Canadian currently at Waterford Kamhlaba so she’s my mentor! Your mentor is meant to help guide you through the stress of moving away from home, and teach you about the culture at your UWC.  My mentor – (let’s call her ‘A’) lives quite close to me, and we were able to meet while she was on a break and visiting home. It’s wonderful to have someone who’s been where you are, and understands what you’re about to do. I’ve had a difficult time explaining UWC to some of my friends and teachers – ‘you’re moving to Africa ? Alone?’, ‘ Why the hell are you doing two extra years of high school?’, ‘Why would you pay for a private school when Canada has free public education?’ – But A understood, because she’d had to muddle through the explanations as well