An experience for life

Giovanni from Mexico graduated from UWC Maastricht three years ago. Now he is about to complete his bachelor’s degree at Leiden University. His years at UWC have changed him, he says. “UWC teaches you the value of diversity. It changes your life.”

Giovanni was just 17 when he moved to Maastricht from Mexico City. From 23 million to 125,000 inhabitants, from metropolis to ‘village’. It makes you grow up a bit faster, he says. The language, cultural differences, living with people from different backgrounds: it is not always easy. But it has shaped him and his fellow students.

Grateful

“UWC is a safe environment to learn from differences. It shows you that the world is bigger than you thought. It makes you more aware of differences as well as opportunities.” And that effect spreads: to friends, family members, communities. Sponsorship is incredibly important in this regard. Because it is precisely the students who cannot pay for the education themselves who benefit the most. “If companies recognise the value of diversity and want to invest in it, I am very grateful for that.”

Real world

This summer, Giovanni hopes to complete his bachelor’s degree at Leiden University College (LUC). He chose Liberal Arts & Sciences with a specialisation in International Law & Economics. Soon, he wants to get a year of work experience first, enter the ‘real world’, out of the ‘ivory tower of academia’, as he says himself. After that, he plans to study Human Rights Law.

For the community

“Initially, I thought of acting or musical theatre, which is still a major hobby of mine. But thanks to UWC, I want to do something that allows me to make more of an impact. Something for the community, beyond my personal interests.” His time at UWC not only helped shape that choice, Giovanni also believes that his experiences at Maastricht will make him a better lawyer. “At least, I hope so!”