United World College South East Asia
United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) offers boarding at its Dover campus in Singapore. The two boarding houses are home to over 180 students from around 50 different nationalities, making for a truly diverse, international experience. We asked recent graduate MIKHAIL LYSIUK, class of 2016, about the experience of boarding while completing the two-year IB Diploma programme.
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What impact has UWCSEA had on you?
I’m pretty sure everybody can say, “Before coming to UWCSEA I was a different person”. It’s not possible to remain the same after meeting so many new and interesting people, after breaking through the stress of the IB and experiencing all the other challenges and amazing moments!
One focus at UWCSEA is on developing intercultural understanding. Were there any special events in the boarding houses to encourage this?
True knowledge about a country comes from personal interaction, observing one’s behaviour and just being around people from different places. So, to share my culture, I participated in all the international evenings, events and activities for boarders.
I felt I had a great responsibility to represent my country all over UWCSEA. Hopefully, by now everybody knows where Belarus is, that it’s not part of Russia, and that Belarusians are tough and ready for big adventures but can be nature lovers sometimes.
What will you remember most about your time at the college?
Last year in my room I had cultural diversity and mental unity. It was amazing. We could understand each other without saying words, and share jokes that only we could understand.
I’ll also never forget the commitment of our community after the earthquake in Nepal. It was wonderful – it gives me hope in people. And I will never forget UN Night; the preparations and then the performing were great.
What are your plans for the future?
Next year I will start at St Olaf College in Minnesota in the US. Even though I was admitted to higher ranked universities, I decided that St Olaf is the most suitable choice for me. After finishing my degree my plan is to go to Nepal to complete a life dream: to summit K2.
How would you sum up your experience at school?
UWCSEA is truly unbelievable. The uniqueness of the place and the magic of the people who work and study here make it so special. I think every UWCSEA alumni has a fire for change and is set to spread it around the world.