The way teachers and students interact, and the way classes are designed, both feel very different from what I experienced before.

One of the first things I noticed was the relaxed sense of equality between teachers and students. We call our teachers by their first names, and the relationship feels more like a partnership in learning, where we exchange ideas and inspire one another. When I have questions about my studies, I feel comfortable approaching my teachers and asking for help.

Our classes also give us a lot of space to think and exchange ideas. My first FP Chinese lesson really stayed with me. Instead of beginning with a typical self-introduction, our teacher started with a simple question: "Who am I?"

We brainstormed and chose a character from a literary or non-literary work whose qualities we admired. I chose Peter Rabbit, a character I loved reading about as a child. He breaks rules, but he also reflects on his actions and keeps trying. I think those qualities matter in both learning and relationships.

Everyone approached the question differently. Some students talked about the kind of person they hope to become, while others described the kind of person they do not want to become. Some focused on qualities they admired in particular kinds of people.

As we shared our ideas and listened to one another, we began to see each other in new ways and find points of connection. The discussion also made me stop and ask myself: Who am I, and who do I want to become?

I really enjoy learning this way.

For me, the biggest change has been moving from preparing for exams to developing skills that I can carry with me beyond school.

At my previous school, much of our learning revolved around exams. We memorised information and formulas and practised ways of answering questions. But once an exam was over, I often found that much of what I had memorised gradually faded away.

At UWC, the focus is much more on understanding ideas deeply while developing transferable skills such as academic writing, presenting, listening and reading. I had never written a full formal essay before, even in my first language. When I was first asked to write an essay in English, I did not even know how to structure it.

Now, I am gradually learning how to organise my thoughts and express my ideas clearly in writing. I know these are skills that I will continue to use at university and beyond.

I am also relearning how to manage my time. I tend to procrastinate, and in the past I often left things until the last minute. But at UWC, when I still have unfinished work on my mind, it becomes much harder to relax with friends or take part fully in activities.

I am still finding a rhythm that works for me, but I am beginning to understand that managing my time well gives me more space to embrace the many opportunities that life at UWC offers.

What I enjoy most about the classroom is the way different perspectives can change how I understand an idea.

In my Economics class, for example, we often work in groups, with a strong focus on developing skills through discussion and collaboration. Roughly half of my classmates are Chinese and half are international students, so we bring very different experiences into the room.

When we study concepts such as opportunity cost and capital goods, I can draw on what I have seen in Brazil, while classmates from other parts of the world bring examples from their own countries. The same concept can look very different when you place it in different social and geographical contexts.

If you really want to understand a country, I think one of the best ways is to listen to someone who has lived there.

These conversations give me a much richer and more vivid understanding than simply looking up information online. That is what makes the UWC classroom special to me. Knowledge does not come only from textbooks; it also comes from the lived experiences that each person brings into the room.

I first came to UWC Changshu in 2025 for my brother's graduation. I watched students share their stories on stage while the audience responded with so much energy. The campus also left a strong impression on me, and I began imagining what it might be like to study here.

But the first moment when I truly thought, "This is UWC," came on my first day as a student.

In the past, returning to school often came with a slight sense of reluctance. This time, senior students from different Houses stood outside waving flags and welcoming us with so much enthusiasm. I still remember the energy of that moment.

I have also been struck by how open and accepting the community feels. Because people come from so many different backgrounds, there does not seem to be a single standard that everyone is expected to fit. People can be themselves here.

I also love seeing the stray cats around campus. Students take care of them, and the cats are comfortable around people. There is something very peaceful about the way people and nature coexist here. The whole campus feels welcoming and at ease.

I first heard about UWC when my mother told me about a friend's daughter who was studying at a UWC school in India. I started researching UWC myself and became excited by the idea of meeting people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Studying abroad had also been a dream of mine for a long time.

I have loved watching Chinese historical dramas for years, and I have always been curious about Chinese history, traditional dress and food. Being able to come to China to study feels like a dream come true.

I remember walking into the school theatre for the first time and thinking, "I am really here." Before arriving, I had watched campus videos and explored the VR tour many times. But seeing everything in person was completely different. After imagining this place for so long, I was finally standing inside it.

A traditional Chinese culture activity became another memorable UWC moment for me. I tried writing Chinese characters for the first time. My handwriting was a little shaky, and I felt nervous, but the students around me kept encouraging me.

I also met a girl from Morocco at the event. We started talking about the colour of my eyes and somehow ended up talking for nearly an hour. People had complimented my eyes before, but I had never had such an open and genuine conversation about something so simple.

My all-girls House, Efie, has also begun to feel like home. At weekends, we gather in the common room and share stories from the week. DP2 students talk about their own experiences and offer advice. Those conversations have given me a real sense of belonging.

One of UWC's most distinctive features is the wide range of activities on campus. I hope to take part in as many of them as I can. Even if I am not taking on a major role, what matters to me is being involved and experiencing things for myself.

My three years at UWC are precious, and many of these opportunities may not come again. I want to build a strong academic foundation, connect with my teachers and classmates, meet more people, try new things and fully experience the diversity of life on campus.

Right now, I am still adjusting to the language environment and the pace of life on campus. I want to keep stepping outside my comfort zone and take more initiative in talking to students from different countries.

I hope to meet people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, learn Chinese, explore China for myself and develop practical skills that I can use in the future.

I am especially interested in robotics and mechanical design, and I hope to pursue engineering in the future.

At UWC, I want to keep challenging myself every day. I want to learn not only through my IB subjects, but also by discovering different cultures and continuing to grow as a person.

In the future, I hope to study computer science at university and eventually return to Brazil to start a non-profit organisation. I attended a public school myself, so I know that many children have limited access to robotics and high-quality STEM education because of financial barriers. I want to bring STEM education to more students in public schools.

While I am at UWC, I hope to meet people who share this vision and build something together. After I graduate, I would also like to stay connected with UWC, whether as a volunteer or perhaps, one day, as a donor, and continue contributing to the impact of this education.