The move to our new campus in San Isidro de Heredia isn’t just a construction project—it’s the deepening of our commitment to the UWC principle of “learning from each other.” As we transition from Santa Ana, our focus has been on ensuring that the new campus will be an active, beneficial, and integrated member of the San Isidro community.
Our comprehensive Community Integration Program is the roadmap for building these enduring relationships.
The Community Integration Program
Our integration journey began with a six-month intensive program (January–July 2023) led by consultant Alfredo Bermúdez. The main objective was simple: to learn, reach out, and collaborate. This involved a rigorous process of mapping the socio-economic, cultural, and historic landscape of San Isidro, followed by perception surveys and interviews with local leaders.
When we met with local organization representatives, key areas for collaboration emerged clearly:
- Creating spaces for youth exchange: Focus areas include leadership, social entrepreneurship, environmental education, and cultural or sports exchanges.
- Professional and Job Opportunities: Providing professional development for teachers and creating job opportunities for local workers.
Based on these findings and established connections with partners like the Colegio Técnico Profesional (CTP), the organization Matzú, and the Organic Farmers Collective (CAZ), we quickly identified “quick wins” for immediate impact. These included environmental education at the Santa Cecilia Elementary School and joint activities with the CTP, such as extending our Agents of Change (AoC) program, Model United Nations (MUN), and sports exchanges.
What Does Community Mean?
Our annual Community Action Week is a cornerstone of the UWC experience, and this year, it served as a powerful opportunity to deepen our connections within San Isidro, focusing on meaningful intergenerational exchange and shared purpose.
Weaving Generations Together at the Geriatric Center
In collaboration with Matzú, a local organization dedicated to environmental, social, and urban work, this marked the second year of service at the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles Geriatric Center. Our work was focused on two main areas:
- Accessibility and Environment: Continuing the construction of accessibility paths to allow residents to safely walk among the garden areas.
- Interaction and Joy: Engaging directly with the residents through music, games, and shared activities, fostering genuine human connection.
Engagement at Santa Cecilia Elementary School
The Santa Cecilia Elementary School is the closest educational institution to our new campus, making it a natural and vital partner for positive action. Our engagement aims to be meaningful and sustained, focusing on themes of diversity and environmental wellness through simple, educational, and playful exchanges.
During Community Action Week, a group of 22 UWC students led educational activities for students in grades K-6. They connected their lessons to the school’s existing curriculum in various subjects, including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, French, and Spanish, strengthening the relationship between the two schools.
“For me, community is all about relationships. Friendships, connections with people who know things that I don’t know.” –Canada’s Ambassador to Costa Rica
“Community is when a bunch of people work together to create something that they can all enjoy.” –Tommy ‘26 (Israel)
“Here in Costa Rica, we see community as something that exists when there is understanding among people and they help each other. Peace, religion, food, health, unity of the people.” –Oscar, Resident of the Geriatric Home.
Tangible Impact and Transparent Accountability
While building relationships is inherently intangible, our commitment is visible in concrete ways. The reconstruction of the public street leading to the new campus is a lasting infrastructural improvement for all residents. Furthermore, we donated and installed a new outer structure for the Santa Cecilia Elementary School Greenhouse. Next year, this greenhouse will become a thriving educational space focused on food systems, in collaboration with the CAZ and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG)’s Club 4S.
Working with Local Government
As construction began, accountability and transparency became paramount. We finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the San Isidro Municipality to formalize agreements and ensure complete openness. Our team has regularly attended municipal council meetings to provide updates on construction, environmental projects, and to directly address community concerns. This close collaboration is vital for future joint projects.
Real-time coordination through in-person meetings and digital platforms has ensured that the construction process aligns with the community’s needs, an effort that ensured the road project included necessary access ramps for neighboring homes.
Weaving Generations Together
A UWC education is defined by action, and this year, our values manifested through sustained community projects and profound intergenerational exchanges.
Community Action
- Community Action Day (November 2024): Dedicated time spent connecting and working with children from the Santa Cecilia community.
- Community Action Week: This saw students collaborating with Matzú at the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles Geriatric Center, focusing on building accessible garden paths and sharing joy through music and games with residents. Other teams worked at the Santa Cecilia Elementary School, leading playful and educational activities across subjects like English, Math, and Science for grades K-6.
- Environmental Stewardship: A crucial river clean-up was conducted in collaboration with Matzú, reinforcing our shared commitment to the local ecology.
Key Milestones
- Board of Trustees Visit (March 2025): The Board spent a day focused entirely on community engagement, beginning with a cultural tour led by a local guide and sharing lunch with key community collaborators to strengthen partnerships.
- Alum Reunion (July 2025): Alums engaged with the Santa Cecilia community through a vibrant dance performance by a local folklore group and a warm “cafecito” with community leaders on the new campus site.