Hugs, laughs, tears, and many, many haircuts. Bald for a Cause has become a tradition in UWC Costa Rica. Every year, many first-year students and some staff members shave their heads to donate their hair to the Fundación Metamorfosis. This partnership enables Fundación Metamorfosis to collect all the hair and create wigs, strand by strand, for individuals undergoing cancer treatment who are experiencing hair loss.
On the afternoon of the event, a powerful sense of community is palpable. Not only is it an act of kindness, but it is also a way to break down societal stereotypes about hair looks and perceptions of what baldness means.
María Paula Ureña ’26 (Costa Rica) has had long hair for a significant part of her life; in fact, it has been an integral part of her identity. Although she was used to donating her long hair, she had never dared to cut it as short as Bald for a Cause requires.
“Right now, I see going bald as a symbol of love, caring for others, and empathy. I felt really fresh, confident, and powerful, but after all, I felt elated.”
It is precisely in student-led community events like this one, of solidarity and empathy, that the mission of UWC Costa Rica comes alive. Small acts of kindness raise awareness and bring happiness to someone going through a difficult time. It is surprising to walk around campus the day after this event. The faces are the same, yet it is almost impossible not to greet students and staff with a look of shock and surprise at how their new hairstyle has changed. However, this is also an exercise in checking prejudice, fostering empathetic discourse, and cultivating admiration. Challenging the norms of what normal hairstyles should look like is part of the equation, serving as a reminder of the diversity that exists on campus.
This testimony from María Paula exemplifies the leadership skills UWC Costa Rica instills. Students undergo essential transformations that cultivate abilities and passions. Students become change-makers who understand that small actions can have a significant impact. María Paula acknowledged that this event made a significant difference in her life as she realized that “UWC Costa Rica is a family that helps you to know people who will be with you for the rest of your life, and it has been one of the best experiences I have ever had.”
María Paula comes from a rural area called Palmichal de Acosta, in Costa Rica. Her mother, María, plays a fundamental role in María Paula’s story as María herself is a migrant from Nicaragua who moved to Costa Rica at a young age.
“My family has been one of the pillars that has inspired me to get where I am and fight for my dreams and aspirations for the future. I won’t be able to be here without the support of my mom, my dad, and Juan Carlos.”
Living in a rural area meant that María Paula’s chances of excelling outside her hometown were limited. The only option she had was attending the university in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. However, being selected to receive the Blum Scholarship to attend UWC Costa Rica means she now has a chance of immense opportunities ahead of her.
“This is something I could not imagine before, but now I know it is a possibility.”
While the academic rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and learning to navigate her life on campus in a foreign language have not been easy, critical thinking, open-mindedness, communication, and a care for others are some of the attributes of the IB that María Paula reflects on.
“This opportunity is not just a gift for me, it is for all my family. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to live this experience, and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the benefits that this experience will allow me to have in the future.”
She is a front-line witness to the transformative effect that UWC has on the lives of its students, as she sees the example of her sister Luz, who studied at UWC Robert Bosch and is now studying at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and also believes that education has the power to change destinies for the better.
During the summer of 2025, María Paula had the opportunity to participate in a short course at UWC Adriatic and sponsored by Patagonia Education Partners. Over the course of two weeks, she strengthened her leadership skills and shared them with 40 students from other UWCs.
This was her first time taking a plane and leaving Costa Rica. She recognized that these two weeks helped her reignite her purpose in UWC Costa Rica and embrace her second year with a more focused attitude.
This opportunity not only opened her eyes but also redirected her future pathway. Being in Venice made her aware of the city’s rich architectural history and the efforts to preserve its historical spaces through renovation. Now she is interested in studying architecture, but also aims to obtain a double degree in environmental studies.
María Paulas’s journey in UWC Costa Rica has represented a universe of new opportunities for her. By choosing to shave her head, she not only donated her hair but also embodied the values that UWC seeks to instill: leadership, empathy, and the courage to break barriers. Her act of confidence and love brings a tangible gift to a stranger while simultaneously opening a world of new possibilities for herself.
María Paula’s
Leadership is possible thanks to the generosity of Leonor Blum, as well as