Gerylaine Campos – UWC-USA
How did you find out about UWC and why did you apply?
The first person from Aruba ever to be sent out to UWC came to give a presentation in my class. Her name is … Romney and she graduated from Pearson in 2009. I was thirteen at the time, but the school she was describing (UWC) sounded so amazing that I knew that someday I was going to apply.
What are you first impressions of UWC?
My first impression of UWC was overwhelming in an amazing way. Before arriving on the UWC-USA campus I had no idea what it was going to be like. I drove with my family to this beautiful campus in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. I arrived before a lot of the other first years so I was met with an abundance of enthusiasm by the second years. The whole first day I was here passed by in an whirlwind, hectic, epic blur.
What do you enjoy most about life at UWC?
As a second year about to graduate I’ve come to appreciate UWC as a movement more and more. Every day I see how we’re living the UWC mission statement. Every single conversation I have with my friends I learn something new, whether it’s about how people work or how culture influences how people think. UWC has opened my eyes to issues that I never knew existed. UWC has made me overcome any racial prejudice I might have ever had, and now I feel as if I can see. Thus, I have to say that my friends who are so completely different from me are what I enjoy most about my life at UWC.
What has been the most challenging aspect?
The most challenging aspect about UWC is going through a growing up process in fast forward. I came to UWC at a pretty young age (I had just turned 16) and although I was a mature 16 year old, I was no where near being an adult. Living at UWC forces you into becoming an adult, which has been very rewarding but painful. Instead of having years to grow up, I feel as if I became an adult during the period of one semester.
What subjects are you taking?
I’m currently taking English, Dutch, Math Studies, Environmental Systems and Societies, History and Economics.
What CAS activities are you involved in?
This semester I’m taking Community Work Crew (construction work for the community), Hip Hop dance, Animal Welfare, Afro-Haitian Dancing, European Cultural Day, African Cultural day, Cooking and Eating CAS.
What advice would you give to students thinking about applying?
Make sure you’re ready. UWC has been the most amazing experience of my life, but it has also been the toughest. If you have the passion, UWC will reward you in ways that you cannot even imagine. The national committee will make sure to send out students who are ready, so I advice you to just APPLY. Don’t exaggerate, don’t be modest, be yourself and give it a shot. If it’s meant to be you will end up where you’re meant to be, and you’ll love it.
What are your ambitions after you leave UWC?
I want to do something meaningful. First of all I’m going to attend college, hopefully spend a year abroad in Australia. After I’m done with college I hope travel the world and experience it. I want to volunteer with non-profit organizations all over the world. Once I get older I hope to settle down, hopefully get a job back home where I can make a difference. Also, I want to have a little family and live in a little house.
