This is my first time living away from home. Although my family is in Shanghai, not far from campus, taking charge of my own life has come with its own challenges. Luckily, I’m naturally independent, so I’ve settled in well—I stick to a balanced diet, rarely order takeout, and keep an early schedule. Overall, I’m doing great.

I’ve also started greeting strangers first, which I rarely did before. Since arriving—especially inspired by Kate, my Peace and Sustainability teacher, who is so kind and patient—I’ve become more proactive about reaching out. Even when someone doesn’t respond, I no longer feel awkward. This sense of openness and ease is completely new to me.

Coming to UWC has been full of firsts for me. It’s my first time in China and the first time sharing a room with people from different countries—my roommates are from China and Myanmar. At first, it was a bit tricky since we had different routines and personalities, but they’ve been incredibly kind and thoughtful. We’ve learned to respect each other’s space, and now it really feels like home.

Academically, it’s been a whole new level of challenge. Not just the coursework itself, but also adjusting to different English accents. My math teacher is British, and I had to really focus to understand him at first. The way classes are structured here is also very different from my old school—we switch classrooms after every block, which keeps things lively and gives me the chance to meet more people throughout the day.

During Orientation Week, I was eating in the canteen with a senior I already knew when a girl from Ecuador approached our table and asked to join us. We chatted naturally, and that’s when I realized most international students are from non-English-speaking countries—some even struggle more with English than those who came from the public school system. So I consciously slowed down and used simpler words to make communication easier.

When she talked about food from her hometown, her accent sometimes made it hard to understand. We’d guess and muddle through—almost like cracking a code. If that didn’t work, she’d look up translations or show photos on her phone. That night, a seemingly trivial question—“Do they put chili or pepper in Spanish tortillas?”—felt like the most fascinating thing in the world. In that moment, I saw how people could have such a fun chat using just translation apps and pictures.

Definitely—the school canteen really captured the spirit of UWC for me. It’s such a warm and welcoming space, full of mutual respect and open conversations. People are always asking, “Where are you from?” or “What subjects are you taking?” and then we dive into fun chats about our traditional foods. Sometimes, someone starts singing “Happy Birthday” and the whole room joins in with clapping and cheering. 

It’s moments like those that made me think, “Yes, this is exactly what I imagined UWC to be.” I also noticed how seriously people take the waste-sorting system—it’s a clear sign that UWC’s values aren’t just words, they’re lived every day.

I’m most looking forward to participating in more large-scale campus events, such as UWC Day, Project Week, and Culture Week. I believe these events will broaden my horizons and enrich my experiences. At the same time, I hope to take a more proactive approach to communicating with international students. 

Right now, I still spend most of my time with Chinese classmates, but I’m eager to take that brave first step—to chat more and interact with peers from different cultural backgrounds, and truly integrate into this diverse community.

I’ve discovered opportunities I never imagined would be possible: the chance to connect with a Nobel Prize-winning professor through the Nobel Laureates Innovation Program, the possibility of collaborating with companies to prototype real solutions, and the freedom to launch sustainability projects of our own. 

For someone who loves sports, the facilities here are like a dream—from water sports I’d only ever seen on TV to the courts where I can keep chasing the passion that’s been with me since I first picked up a basketball.

I’m really excited to build deeper connections and share my culture with others. I want people to learn more about Peru and the rich diversity of Latin America—we have so many stories that go beyond the stereotypes. Before coming here, I was involved in leadership projects, and I hope to keep innovating and creating through UWC’s platform. 

I’m also passionate about economics and business, and I want to explore how we can connect economic education with environmental sustainability. Collaborating with students from all over the world to drive real change—that’s what I’m most looking forward to.