At the end of the last semester, students of UWC Changshu China participated in a research project and presented their findings at a one day Conference on campus on "The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic". This Project provided an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in a real world context. UWC education puts emphasis on learning by doing and engaging with global issues which is critical for students to gain global perspective and be prepared to become future leaders and change makers.

From the Chair of the UWC International Board, Chair of the UWC International Council and the Executive Director of UWC International

The Class of 2020 is a very special class. Given the many difficulties and challenges due to the pandemic, you could not spend the last semester on the beautiful campus as planned, and celebrate your graduation together with all your classmates and teachers you love so much.

Residential life is an exciting and important part of the UWC education model. At UWC Changshu China, students are grouped into different houses.

Practicing social distancing at home, I cannot help but be amazed at the pace of events in the world over the past 3 months. When I left Changshu for Chinese New

Last year, I had my friend from UWC Changshu China, Multy, and his family host me during Chinese New Year in Suzhou. I labelled that experience as one of my most immersive insights into contemporary Chinese culture and the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in China. This year, I was assigned another host family from Suzhou. And I think it wasn’t until I found myself reading through a magazine from 1966 or hanging up my clothes from this decade into a wardrobe crafted about a 100 years ago that this Chinese New Year was going to be yet another cultural immersion but at a completely different level.

The epidemic in 2020 all of sudden brought teachers and students even closer to the world of the Internet. Before teachers came to realize that they have no choice but to rely heavily on technology in order to run virtual classes while stuck at home, they couldn’t believe that they became “popular online streamers” so quickly.

The unexpected health epidemic turned distance learning into reality at UWC Changshu China in February 2020. The UWC Changshu China Distance Learning Program (DLP) aspires to be a rigorous academic and pastoral program designed to accommodate the lack of the physical presence of students and faculty at school. With the support of technology, faculty are encouraged to be creative, with the goal of cultivating engaging, student-centered learning that is personalized in a remote environment.

A letter to community members from Mark Wang, founder and Chair of the Board of UWC Changshu China