For nearly two decades, Mery González, our beloved tía, has served UWC Costa Rica. As one of the College’s longest-serving staff members, Mery has been a steady, kind presence in the life of every student, family, and staff member who has passed through the Santa Ana campus since its inception. Next April, after 19 years of service to UWC Costa Rica, and over 22 years of total service, starting with the SOS International School, Mery will retire. Her departure marks the end of an era, and her story is a powerful testament to the community, resilience, and compassion that define the UWC experience.
“When I started working here, there were far fewer people, and some classrooms weren’t used during the day because there weren’t enough students. When the change came (from SOS International School to UWC Costa Rica), we were told that UWC wanted to ‘buy the ship along with its crew.’ So, on the one hand, we were a little scared because we didn’t know what to expect, but then it turned out to be nice. It was a different experience, with so many new people and students. The college was suddenly full, and it was nice.”
In those early days, the most significant constraint for Mery, a native Spanish speaker, was the sheer scale of the international presence. “What scared me was the different languages—how was I going to communicate?” she admits. Yet, the barrier quickly dissolved, replaced by a mutual understanding that transcended words.
Mery’s main task is to ensure that the campus is clean and feels welcoming. She reflects that she treats every day as an opportunity to contribute. “Every day, I try to give everything I can. Sometimes my work is not seen so much, but it is also beautiful when the students show their appreciation.” She remembers simple moments, like finding notes from students thanking her for her hard work. “That is beautiful, when you know that they realize what you do. I always try to give my best, whatever the need is.”
Mery is part of the 98 adults who make up a diverse staff in age groups and nationalities. UWC Costa Rica employs 53% of women and and 47% men from 15 different countries. This is an effort that the college makes to maintain diversity among both students and staff, allowing us to continue our principle of learning from each other.
The Emotional Markers of a Shared Journey
Throughout her two decades, Mery has witnessed the College endure and transform. She recalls moments of uncertainty, but the moment that remains the most emotional marker in her tenure was the start of the pandemic.
“One thing that was an extreme change, or at least marked me a lot, was when the pandemic came,” she says, her voice catching with emotion. “When they took us to a meeting in the library to tell us we were going home. I remember crying that day, which isn’t surprising since I’m a crybaby. I cried because I said, ‘And now what will happen?’ Everything felt so strange, so ugly. We didn’t know if the College was going to close.”
Beyond the global disruptions, Mery’s most profound connection to the UWC mission comes through simple, daily interactions with students and staff; moments that confirm her integral role in the community’s well-being.
She fondly recalls an Asian student, who always came to chat with her. Following an accident that led to a campus rule prohibiting students from going barefoot, the student was tasked with filming a video for a project. Mery agreed to help, becoming an actress in the process. “She needed me to help her with a video. She was going to run, and I was going to scold her for being barefoot.” Mery still has the video, a cherished reminder of the personal, playful trust she built with the students.
Another memory that she remembered centers on a quiet boy who constantly studied in Classroom 10. “He was always studying, all day and most days. He always told me to leave the door unlocked for him, you know, it is my job to lock up classrooms at the end of the day. It was a tragedy for him to tell me, in broken Spanish, ‘Por favor, Tía, no cierres la puerta (Please, Tía, don’t close the door).’” When he graduated, Mery went to clean the classroom and found a note. “It was thanking me, saying he would never forget me, thanking me for always leaving the door open, and for the greetings and the smiles. He said that by the time I read it, he would already be traveling.” Mery tears up, emphasizing,
“I still have a picture of that note.”
A Family Legacy and Community Solidarity
Her family shares Mery’s commitment to UWC. Her son, Alejandro (Ale), has worked at the College for nine years. Mery proudly shares that her work doesn’t stop when she leaves campus. “We always arrive home and comment on some event that happened or things like that. We are always talking. We never detach from work; we keep commenting on it, and the family always asks.”
The deep sense of support reinforces this connection she has felt from her colleagues, staff, and even the students. She remembers the exceptional support she received from the community when her mother passed away.
The international environment also fed a personal ambition. “I have always loved English,” she admits.
“I have taken many English courses, but I am not that agile.” She confesses that the constant exposure made her regret not studying more, but she is inspired to continue learning: “Now that I leave, I will have more time. I will continue, even if it’s just with Duolingo. I have always liked it, and I will continue learning, even if it’s not to speak it perfectly, but to learn more words.”
The Bittersweet Farewell
As she prepares to retire, Mery is reflective. Her greatest pride, she says, is “leaving happy and proud to have spent all this time here, and that, I have never had a problem with anyone. I feel proud to have worked here all this time and to have shared with so many people.”
The transition is bittersweet. “I got so used to the place, the people, and even the work,” she notes. “It’s true that I will leave exhausted, but then I stop and think: What am I going to do now at home?” She knows what she will miss most: “The day-to-day here. Saying hello to everyone I greet every morning, and my colleagues. I will miss everything.”
But Mery is also looking forward to a new stage of tranquility: not having to rush in the mornings, spending more time on her home and garden, and most of all, traveling with her siblings, who are all already retired.
Her final message to the over 1,500 students she has seen pass through the campus, many of whom return as professionals and families, is simple: “Don’t stop dreaming. Keep going forward. Always fight for what you want.”
To the staff and colleagues she leaves behind, her message is one of enduring affection: “I will miss you all. I enjoyed every moment I spent with each of you, and I will carry it in my heart always. You were part of the wonderful years that I spent here. I will carry them all in my heart. I love every person who works here.”
Tía Mery has not only cleaned the classrooms; she has always shared her best attitude to make of every space one that is and feels welcoming, where everyone is treated with respected, and feels safe. Mery, the UWC Costa Rica community thanks you and you are what defines the heart of this community.