On May 24th, the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 at United World College Changshu China (UWC CSC) was grandly held on the school’s football field. As the largest graduating class in the school’s 10-year history, more than 250 graduates from over 60 countries entered the ceremony venue to the sound of cheers and applause. 

Families, friends, faculty, and global online audiences gathered to witness this significant moment. Principal Simon Head addressed the graduates: "Go forward with intention. Act with purpose. Lead with courage. The world needs you—to inspire hope, and help humanity flourish."

That afternoon in Changshu, the wind carried the fragrance of grass and trees. Girls in elegant dresses walked up the steps of the Baijia Forum, a campus landmark named after the 'Hundred Schools of Thought' in Chinese culture, their skirts swaying gently, while boys in sharp suits and fluttering ties followed. We entered the ceremony in the order of our Houses, greeted by the click of camera shutters, cheers, the proud smiles of teachers, and the tearful eyes of parents. 

The campus, washed by rain, was radiant—sunlight spilled through the clouds, as gentle as the day we first arrived with our suitcases. Only this time, we were no longer the "new students" waiting passively but the ones drawing the final stroke on this journey ourselves.

Personal Growth: Becoming Better Through Trial and Error

In August 2023, we gathered on this small island from all corners of the world. As the first class to resume international enrollment post-pandemic, some traveled for 40 hours across half the globe, while others arrived in just 20 minutes from Changshu. Back then, we carried curiosity and anticipation for UWC life, united by a shared aspiration for "education as a force for peace and sustainability."

Growth was a mandatory course for everyone here: some stepped out of their comfort zones to embrace the unknown, while others reflected under academic pressure, finding their way through trial and error.

"Delulu is the solulu!" When graduate representatives George and Katelyn joked about the IB survival rule on stage, the burst of laughter held inside jokes only we understood—memorizing secret messages within bullet points to decode for the IO speeches, the naive self-comfort before EE deadlines, or the amusing sight of flip-flops floating in dorms after heavy rain. These fragments became cherished memories of ours. 

Speeches by Lita from Thailand and Charlotte from France offered another perspective on growth. They were the first group sent to CSC by their national committees. They were here to face the unknown, like a trial run. They said they indeed were not prepared for the linguistic and cultural shocks—from surviving without data or a bank account for months, to using "keyi keyi xie xie (可以可以，谢谢)" for every conversation—the struggle was real. But they gradually gained a deeper understanding about UWC spirit.

From initial awkwardness and confusion to integration, from stumbling in communication to confident expression—in this multicultural environment, we learned that growth is not just about academic achievement but also about broadening perspectives, opening minds, and maintaining curiosity and courage in the face of the unknown.

Community Building: When We Choose to Act Together

UWC's education goes beyond personal growth. Here, we were encouraged to look beyond ourselves—to community needs, societal issues, and global challenges. When we realized that true learning happens not just in classrooms but in actively identifying and addressing problems around us, we became "co-builders in action."

As the first class to rebuild an international community post-pandemic, we faced challenges of cultural clashes: language barriers, academic pressure, cultural inclusivity, even differences in habits and diets. Some even questioned, "Is this still UWC?"

But we chose action over complaint. 

When misunderstandings arose, we built dialogue platforms: Global Café fostered deep exchanges in a relaxed setting, and cultural weeks transformed into bridges of cross-cultural collaboration—evolving from one-way showcases to celebrations of diversity. When traditional event models fell short, we redesigned them: the Buddy Program ensured new students' first gift wasn't a campus map but a warm invitation: "Come, let me show you the real Changshu." This was a process of mutual support and inspiration.

Mark Jiapeng Wang, who is the founder and Chairman of UWC Changshu China, said in his speech:

Beyond campus, we engaged with social issues: We invited children with autism to visit. "Not to 'help them,' but to let them teach us to see the world anew," organizers explained. During kayaking training, we initiated lake clean-ups, practicing sustainability in action.

At UWC, we learned not just "how to adapt to the world" but "how to grow with it." This spirit will guide us into the future.

As Principal Simon Head said: 

Graduation: To Be Continued

During the final choir performance, the neat formation dissolved—some hugged, others held hands. Time may blur details, but we'll always remember those crystal-clear tears and emotions shining in the sunlight.

At UWC, we were allowed to be vulnerable, so we learned true strength.We faced systemic imperfections, so we believe change is worth trying.We connected deeply with vastly different lives, so we can no longer ignore the world's pain.

UWC CSC is made of people—we were honored to meet sincere, wonderful individuals and like-minded friends.

We uphold the UWC spirit with passion. We have voiced our grievances about its shortcomings, and we have experienced moments of confusion. Yet, through continuous reflection and action, we have used our own strength to make this community better. We take pride in being "UWCers"—not by romanticizing the school, but by painting our vision of UWC Changshu with real experiences, not with hearsay like "they say," "it seems," or "I heard."  

Under the starry skies of Changshu, our class bids farewell, while the future quietly unfolds its prologue. In different corners of the world, the Class of 2025 will continue to grow, to respond, and to remain the individuals profoundly shaped by this land.  

Class of 2025, happy graduation!

Article: Annie Xie, Joy Xie, Class of 2025