Witnessing the Growth of Mini - UWC

This summer, 60 teenagers aged between 15-18 from different parts of the world participated in the Mini-UWC Summer Program organised by ASAP ("All Students for Action Program").After a year of preparation, the organizing team designed workshops and activities that center around the theme "YOUth in Action". Mini-UWC aims to empower teenagers with the skills and agency to initiate social projects while also providing them with an authentic UWC experience. After the summer program ends, participants will bring their projects back to their local communities, and we hope to see them make some positive changes. This year, participants in the Mini-UWC Short Course will also be certified UWC alumni, and are expected to continue carrying out the UWC mission.

Mini-UWC Group Photos 2017-2019

This year, Mini-UWC not only welcomed participants of different nationalities, but also from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds in China. 20% of participants received financial aid. We hope to spread the UWC values to people of different ages and backgrounds, thereby encouraging them to understand and learn from each other. We believe that this diverse group of teenagers will go on to make important contributions to their own communities.

AMini - UWC workshopI graduated from UWC Changshu China this summer and this year was my third year working in ASAP. Joining ASAP and witnessing the growth of Mini-UWC has been one of my most meaningful experiences at UWC.

In action with team members and campers (author, front middle)

ASAP is a student-led organization. Students of UWC Changshu China are in charge of every step in the process of bringing to life this summer program, including organization, publicity, development, admissions, logistics, and more. I am in charge of the Development Department of ASAP, which follows up and offers help to all the projects that were initiatedby participants of Mini-UWC. We also promote Mini-UWC to members of the wider UWC community so as to invite judges and professional mentors to our camp, some of whomheld online lectures and sessions for the participants before camp started.TheActivity Department designs and facilitates workshops and theme activities for the summer program, as well as training all the counselors in preparation for the program. The Media Department is in charge of running ASAP's Official Wechat Account and our Facebook page. The Admissions Department is in charge of the admission process for both Mini-UWC's participants and counselors. They also offer guidance for parents and participants if any questions arise before, duringor after the camp. The Operations Department is mainly in charge of the logistics and schedule of the camp, and provide transportation for participants, counselors and guests. Even amidst our busy school life, every department carries out its workdiligently and with a strong sense of responsibility.

Group discussion

I've also met inspirational peers in Mini-UWC. Dedicated to preparing the best experience for campers,we held so many meetings and could not but endour discussion because of the night checks even during the most hectic college application season. During Mini-UWC, counselors start to prepare for the day at 7am, facilitate each and every activity with their Project Groups and Crews, andusually don't finish the day's work until 11 pm.

Leading a group presentation

The quality of our participants are extremelyimpressive. During the online exchange sessions before the official start of the camp with participants, very often we had to extend our Q&A sessions by one or two hours due to their active engagement and strong curiosity. There are threegirls and twoboys in my Project Group, who arefrom different backgrounds. A coupleof them, coming from international schools, arehighly proficient in English.A couple others went through rigorous selection process and received our financial aid. The restcame from public schools of inland towns. Even though initially the two boys always took the lead during the group discussions, later on, they also encouraged girls to express their views. They learned toimprove their collaboration skills in the preparation for the final presentation.

Receiving certificates from the Principal

Mini-UWC is definitely a very significant part of my life in UWC Changshu China. It hasprovided another platform for young people to promote and live UWC missionand values. From first hearing of UWC sevenyears ago to my application, and then tomy graduation this summer, I believe the impact UWC had on me will go far beyond the past threeyears.Lastly, if you are interested in UWC or Mini-UWC, please don't hesitate to join the Kaleidoscope Workshop and Mini-UWC Summer Program!

Author: Hanzhi Wang, UWC Changshu China, Class of 2019; Middlebury College, Class of 2023

Translation: Shuyuan Wang, Liyang Wu, DP2

United World Colleges

United World Colleges (UWC) is a unique global educational movement, with outstanding students selected from over 150 countries and regions. Founded in 1962, UWC makes education a force to unite peoples, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. At UWC, students with different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds live and study together and experience a transformative education that prepares students to become future leaders with a global perspective and dedication to social services.

UWC Changshu China offers two-year IB Diploma Programme and one-year Foundation Programme.

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