Teen to study in ‘Nelson of Germany’
When Nelson College student Rohan O’Neill-Stevens applied for a scholarship into the United World Colleges, he thought, ‘‘this would be cool, although unlikely’’.
Now the year 12 student is preparing to leave Nelson in August to complete two years of study at the prestigious UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg, Germany.
He said when got the call on March 15 which told him he had gained a scholarship to the college, he was in disbelief.
‘‘I hadn’t really prepared for the idea of getting in.’’
The United World Colleges bring together students from various nations, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The students go to one of 16 colleges, including Japan, Norway, India, Armenia and Canada, with values of international and cultural understanding.
O’Neill-Stevens said it was ’’structured learning with room for specialisation’’.
When vying against nine other hopeful young New Zealanders, his pitch to the committee included cultural diversity, a value echoed by the college.
He said the majority of citizens, mostly in western nations, viewed their way of life as ‘‘the logical, reasonable one’’.
‘‘Yet there’s all these different cultures and I really want to see how we can work around bringing together cultures in a way that respects their heritage whilst also existing in a 21st century society.’’
Filling his time over the next few months before travelling to Freiburg, O’Neill-Stevens has been involved in helping out with the Green Party campaign, starting up a radio show, debating, two Fringe Festival plays and the Nelson College production.
‘‘I took up a few things before I left, simply because I was leaving and wanted to do some things before I left.’’
O’Neill-Stevens said he had been researching the city he would be living and learning in and discovered Freiburg was the Nelson of Germany.
It’s the sunniest city in Germany and a tourism hub on the edge of the Black Forest.
He said it was also known as ‘‘the greenest city in the world’’ due to its strong environmental regulations, ‘‘which will be really exciting to check out because I’m into all of that’’.
Applying for the scholarship would never have occurred to O’Neill-Stevens if one his teachers hadn’t suggested it.
He said it was a great compliment when a teacher was contac- ted by the UWC and instantly thought of him for the scholarship.
‘‘It seems like quite a daunting thing to apply for, but in reality, your chances are quite good just with the low advertisement of it.’’
O’Neill-Stevens encouraged others interested in international and inter-cultural understanding to apply for the scholarship.