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Voices of UWC Costa Rica
The Class of 2025 chose to express their two-year journey at their Graduation Ceremony in the form of a combined speech delivered live to over 600 audience members and over 1,000 watching on livestream in a testament to the community they built, where the final answer to the great paradox is not what came first, but the individuals who came after.
The dream of building a new campus began almost a decade ago. Since its opening in 2006, Santa Ana has been home to UWC Costa Rica, in a campus inherited from SOS Villages and adapted over the years to serve the UWC experience. As the College evolved, so did our ambition and our commitment to expand our impact and make UWC’s innovative educational model more accessible to all.
Amidst the hugs, laughter, and memories, we met some alums who share a much more special bond. Alexis Lanza ’08 (Belize) and Sondre Skarsten ’09 (Norway) met on campus back in 2007. Their story is a beautiful testament to the enduring, borderless bonds forged on campus, an unexpected romance born of shared classes, late-night chats, and a mutual commitment to global citizenship. At Reunion, they stopped for five minutes to reflect on the incredible 16-year journey that had taken them from neighboring dorm rooms to marriage and parenthood.
When Physics teacher Eric Loría first stepped onto the UWC Costa Rica campus in August of 2024, he brought with him a wealth of passion for science and teaching. What he didn't anticipate was the profound transformation of his role, which led to him becoming the recipient of the 2025 Educator Award and also spearheading the development of the College's first comprehensive policy on Artificial Intelligence.
Last July, the campus was transformed into a dynamic, immersive space for short-term learning. The Sustainability & Spanish Immersive Experience, held from July 1 to July 15, 2025, was a key, two-fold initiative. It acts as an intensive expression of the College’s mission to connect people and nature for a sustainable future, and it serves as an essential engine of financial sustainability. The revenue generated channels directly into the scholarship fund that supports our diverse, need-based student body.
Deepa Sapkota ’25’s journey to UWC Costa Rica is a testament to resilience and community. Hailing from Surkhet, Nepal, Deepa, a proud member of the Class of 2025, is a Grieg Scholar whose personal history and future ambitions are an inspiration.
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.
The convergence of cultures at UWC Costa Rica doesn't just reshape views, it encourages self-expression. This poem is a reflective ode to the tight-knit global community and cherished personal moments. Uganda’s National Award Winner and published author Bonita Murungi ‘25 (Uganda), known among the community as a passionate storyteller, transforms simple timekeeping into a profound meditation on belonging, using the campus's unique rhythms to measure a transformation that is both wonderfully odd and enduringly human.
Binayak Raj Pande '17 (Nepal) is a living example of how lasting the UWC impact can be on a person. He arrived in Costa Rica nervous and filled with uncertainty, but with a suitcase full of dreams.
Leontina Trajkoska '26 (North Macedonia), who grew up in Skopje, the capital city, was waiting at a bus stop with two of her friends when they asked her, “Leontina, why don’t you apply to UWC?”. That simple question sparked her curiosity to learn more about the movement, mission, and values.
“To what extent have women’s and girls’ rights been upheld in Afghanistan following the fall of the elected democratic government in 2021?" It was not merely an academic question, but an exploration of a humanitarian crisis, a deep dive into how concepts like human rights, power, and legitimacy manifest on the global stage. Gaurav Pradha ‘25 (Nepal) defends these questions with three arguments.
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.
Freddy García ’25 (Venezuela) inspires us with a realistic and emotional TEDx talk about the voices of the silent majority in Latin America. He highlighted the challenges that millions of Latin American workers face daily, as well as the economic uncertainty they encounter.
Inspired by his dad, Freddy revealed that this silent majority is also the backbone of the region. Who, how, and what for… these were the three main questions that Freddy wanted to answer at the TEDxUWCCR Youth event, celebrated on our campus in November 2024.
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.
Latest at UWC Costa Rica
UWC Costa Rica is proud to announce that Susan Mullins, Board Chair, has been honored with the Seymour Preston Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), making her the first volunteer to receive this award from an institution outside the United States.
Choosing the right IB high school is about more than just academics; it’s about the community that supports your growth. At UWC Costa Rica, we are proud to announce that we have been re-certified as a Great Place to Work, remaining the only educational institution in Central America & The Caribbean to hold this prestigious title since 2024.
We are thrilled to launch our Impact Report 2024-2025, a vibrant testament to the powerful energy and shared commitment of our community. This past year was defined by Diversity, Empathy, and Impact, showcasing the stories of growth, responsibility, and leadership that are fueling our global movement for peace and sustainability. Dive into these pages to explore how we are learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime.
At UWC Costa Rica, our UWC Day this year was truly inspiring. Through student initiative, cultural exchange, and shared reflection, we reaffirmed what it means to live in a truly international school community—one that values multiple identities, diverse perspectives, and various paths to global citizenship.
UWC Costa Rica proudly announces that its 2023–2024 Impact Report has been awarded Silver in the Circle of Excellence Awards by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), in the category Publications: Fundraising Annual Reports and Fund Reports.
On May 22, 2025, UWC Costa Rica proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025—a generation of bold dreamers, passionate changemakers, and now, lifelong members of the global UWC alum network.
Last Sunday, May 11, we had the honor of hosting an exclusive pre-release screening of Hernán Jiménez’s latest film at the UWC Costa Rica Campus.
New Campus Updates
We are thrilled to share that we have completed 100% of the land movement required to construct UWC Costa Rica's new campus in San Isidro! This marks a significant milestone in the project, bringing us closer to realizing our vision.
At UWC Costa Rica, ensuring a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors is a top priority. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance security, we recently welcomed G4S, a global leader in security solutions, for a visit that marked an important step in developing an updated and comprehensive security program for our community.
On Saturday, November 9th, UWC Costa Rica accompanied a group of students and members of the Communications and Sustainability teams to the community hall in Santa Cecilia, San Isidro de Heredia.
We are proud to announce that our new campus, located in San Isidro de Heredia, will achieve both LEED® Platinum and RESET certifications.
On November 8th, a group of 20 students, accompanied by our General Director Mauricio Viales and Student Council Coordinator Steven de Souza, embarked on an unforgettable journey to our new campus under construction. This milestone visit offered an up-close look at the site that will soon transform into a vibrant space for learning, growth, and connection.
We are excited as we prepare to welcome the first visitors to our new campus in San Isidro de Heredia!
As we prepare and advance the construction of our new campus, we're also opening our doors to the wider community to share the beauty of our surroundings.
Starting Your UWC Journey
In this newsletter, we'll focus on how to apply to UWC Costa Rica through your national committee. This route offers a unique opportunity to connect with your local UWC community and gain valuable insights into the application process.
Applications are about to open, and potential students must get informed and ready to start the application process. Let's explore how to apply via the Global Selection Programme (GSP) in more detail!
Applying to our College can be a bit daunting, as the process tends to be longer than that of other traditional high schools and colleges, but it is totally worth it. Make sure to subscribe to our Admissions Newsletter for more resources, and don't hesitate to write to us if you have any questions!
Tips for Students & Families: Learning from Each Other
UWC Costa Rica is committed to developing leaders passionate about social and environmental change. Community action, an integral part of our co-curricular program, involves students engaging in meaningful projects that benefit local communities.
As we plan for the exciting academic year, we are pleased to share the proposed dates for the 2025-2026 college year at UWC Costa Rica. This carefully considered schedule aims to provide a balanced and enriching learning experience for all our students while considering the unique aspects of our international and residential community.
We hope you are doing well. Time has flown by, and we are reaching the end of the first semester. Final exams begin this week on November 27th, and they can bring a mix of excitement and stress. It’s natural to wonder how to best support your child during this busy time.
Sustainability Corner
The following framework establishes sustainability in its broadest, most holistic sense as a mindset and ethical guideline for balance and well-being, embracing the concept of reciprocity.
UWC Costa Rica students become The Earth Prize 2023 Scholars
We have an excellent opportunity to refresh our institutional brand and communications, preparing ourselves for our move to San Isidro de Heredia and optimizing internal processes regarding design and wording.
This program, tailored to support our first-year students and their residences, was a testament to their commitment and reflects our institution’s holistic approach to education and sustainability.
Looking towards new educational paradigms that focus on creating bridges and interconnections between knowledge areas, we at UWC Costa Rica are asking ourselves: How can the current educational structure of the College adjust to our world’s future educational needs and a culture of sustainability?
Faith Abiodun, Executive Director of UWC International, discusses our sustainability efforts in his interview for the Future Learning Design Podcast.
“Our Colleges find lots of ways to be authentic in their local environments. If you are a school in Costa Rica […] How do you lead authentically as a school built around sustainability?”
During Community Action Week, across 11 diverse Costa Rican communities, our students and faculty harnessed the power of sustainability to drive meaningful change. At the heart of these initiatives lies our guiding document, the Sustainability Framework, which is the compass for all our sustainability efforts.
CASfeteria aims to revolutionize how we approach food by implementing traceability systems and fostering dialogue, research, and commitment to responsible food production, consumption, and waste.
Learn more about Barrise Griffin ’14 from The Bahamas, UWC Costa Rica Alum, whose work focuses on climate change.
What initially began as a mere idea within the Agents of Change Camp has blossomed into a tangible reality, thanks to the dedication and vision of student Stella ’23 from the Netherlands. Together with the Co-Curricular and sustainability Areas, the project known as The Menstruation Project is making waves by offering sustainable menstrual products to our menstruating students.
UWC In The Media
Más de 100 estudiantes se reunieron para debatir en la conferencia MUN
11/3/2025
Delfino.cr
The local digital newspaper Delfino.cr showcases our Model of United Nations held at our college.
La electricidad que crece de la Tierra
11/3/2025
Ticourbano.com
The local digital newspaper Ticourbano.com publishes an article about Hillary's'27 project explained during our Science Fair.
Una estudiante de UWC Costa Rica convierte plantas en fuente de electricidad limpia
10/31/2025
Delfino.cr
The local digital newspaper Delfino.cr publishes an article about Hillary's'27 project explained during our Science Fair.
UWC Costa Rica comparte saberes globales de agricultura en jornada educativa
10/30/2025
Revista Summa
The local digital magazine Summa publishes about the actions done in Community Action Day in San Isidro, Heredia.
Estudiantes de UWC Costa Rica comparten saberes globales de agricultura con la Escuela de Santa Cecilia
10/20/2025
Ticourbano.com
The local digital newspaper Ticourbano.com publishes about the actions done in Community Action Day in San Isidro, Heredia.
NOEMÍ ALVARADO, HEREDIANA DE 17 AÑOS: ENTRE EL BALLET, LA RESILIENCIA Y UN SUEÑO GLOBAL EN BOSNIA
8/30/2025
Actualidad Digital.Mx
The mexican digital newspaper ActualidadDigital.MX showcases the story of Noemy, a costarican selected by the National Committee to study in UWC Mostar.
Una lección de impacto: UWC Costa Rica recibe un prestigioso premio por su informe anual
8/24/2025
Hoydondeestamos.com
The local digital newspaper, Hoydondeestamos.com, showcases our Impact Report 2023-2024 awarded by CASE.
Campamento de verano "Sé el Cambio, Sé Líder" invita a jóvenes a transformar su mundo
6/9/2025
La República
The local newspaper, La República, showcases our local camp and the activities happening on campus this July.
El aprendizaje experiencial es un enfoque educativo transformado
5/19/2025
Revista Vida y Éxito
The local magazine Vida y Éxito publishes an article about experiential learning as a transformative educational approach.
UWC Costa Rica celebra la Semana Africana: un viaje intercultural a través de la diversidad
4/10/2025
Delfino.cr
The local digital newspaper Delfino.cr showcases our African Week, a vibrant space highlighting the African continent's diversity and depth.
2025 | All Features
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January, 2025
- ¿Qué es el Bachillerato Internacional?
- Instituciones educativas en el mundo promueven entre sus alumnos el fortalecimiento de las redes de contactos desde las aulas
- Métodos de aprendizaje que pueden mejorar tu rendimiento escolar
- Consejos para elegir carrera universitaria
- Instituciones Educativas en el mundo promueven entre sus alumnos el networking desde las aulas
- Instituciones Educativas en el mundo promueven entre sus alumnos el fortalecimiento de las redes de contactos desde las aulas
- Importancia del Networking desde las aulas
2024 | All Features
December, 2024
- Estudiantes de UWC Costa Rica contribuyen al progreso del país con más de 6 mil horas de voluntariado
- 295 estudiantes participan en proyectos sociales y ambientales en todo el país
- 295 estudiantes de secundaria transforman Costa Rica con su Voluntariado
- UWC cierra el año con datos que impactan al país en materia de educación hacia la sostenibilidad
- Más de 150 estudiantes de colegio se reunieron en UWC Costa Rica para debatir sobre la desigualdad global
- Jóvenes alzan sus voces: TEDx UWCCR Youth aborda la desigualdad desde la visión de estudiantes de diferentes partes del mundo
- UWC elige nueva directora académica en Costa Rica
- UWC Costa Rica refuerza su equipo académico para mejorar la oferta educativa
- UWC Costa Rica fortalece su oferta educativa
- UWC Costa Rica fortalece su compromiso con la educación global con el nombramiento de nueva directora educativa
- Más de 150 estudiantes de diferentes colegios del país se reunieron para debatir acerca de la desigualdad global
- Modelo de las Naciones Unidas
- Modelo de las Naciones Unidas
- Jóvenes costarricenses se abren camino al éxito en universidades de prestigio mundial
- Estudiante de Heredia tendrá oportunidad de optar por beca para estudiar en reconocido colegio internacional UWC Costa Rica
- Importante beca puede ser para un herediano
- Estudiantes internacionales de UWC Costa Rica celebran la independencia de Costa Rica en San Isidro de Heredia
- Estudiante de Heredia tendrá la oportunidad de optar por una beca para estudiar en el reconocido colegio internacional UWC Costa Rica
- UWC Costa Rica: Innovando en la educación global para un futuro sostenible
- UWC Costa Rica conmemora el Día Internacional de la Paz junto a más de 70 nacionalidades
- Más de 200 estudiantes de secundaria de diversas partes del mundo conmemoraran el día Internacional de la Paz en nuestro país
- Estudiantes de 70 países celebran el Día Internacional de la Paz
- Jóvenes de secundaria podrán optar por becas para estudiar en uno de los mejores colegios del mundo ubicado en Costa Rica.
- Estudiantes internacionales eligen Costa Rica para terminar su secundaria ¿Descubra por qué?
- Estudiantes del mundo eligen Costa Rica para terminar su secundaria ¿Descubra por qué?
- Estudiantes del mundo eligen Costa Rica para terminar su secundaria
- Estudiantes internacionales eligen Costa Rica para terminar secundaria
- Estudiantes costarricenses podrán recibir una beca en UWC Costa Rica
- Colegio mixto residencial ofrece becas a estudiantes y abre proceso de admisión para el 2025.
- "UWC Costa Rica iniciará en agosto proceso de admisión para colegiales."
- "Costa Rica es el único país en Latinoamérica en albergar un UWC de los 18 que hay en el mundo."
- Joven de Puntarenas se llenó de fuerza para surgir y hoy trabaja en clínica de Estados Unidos | La Teja
- We are on TV! | Telenoticias Canal 7
- Costa Rica es el único país en Latinoamérica en albergar un UWC de los 18 que hay en el mundo | Revista Summa
- Médica costarricense es galardonada por sus aportes en favor de la salud de Latinoamérica | Delfino.cr
- Médica costarricense es galardonada por sus aportesen favor de la salud de Latinoamérica | Tico Urbano
- Médica costarricense es galardonada por sus aportes en favor de la salud de Latinoamérica | elmundo.cr
Alum Impact Stories
"I went through much personal growth as a result of UWC. I ended up not becoming an engineer and doing a much more theoretical degree. And now working on things that I would argue have a pretty broad social impact are [...] all based off of that kind of individual formative experience at UWC." - Max von Hippel '15 from the United States.
I was brought back to UWC Costa Rica “virtually” this summer as I helped plan and facilitate some of the bonding activities for orientation.
“UWC will always be marked in my heart because it was the place where I was able to discover that dreams can surpass limits and boundaries." - Azucena López ‘15
Giving Back: Leading National Committees
“UWC was the place that broke down my stereotypes, allowing me to be truly and unapologetically myself.”
--Anna Bognadok ‘17
Upon graduating from UWC Costa Rica, I moved back home to Lebanon to work as a volunteer in a refugee camp in the south of Lebanon on a project that empowered Palestinian refugees between the ages of 8 to 16 on the importance of non-violent communication.
During the summer of 2015, Sena and Pele Voncujovi collaborated with Middlebury College Professor Germain (Gigi) Gatewood and Visiting Artist Sunita Prasad to collect footage for a short documentary “ReVodution.”
ReVodution
"I've reached the point where I'm in a position where I can make a difference. And I'm trying to live every day my mission, but also to live that vision of UWC, of providing changemakers across the world..." - Liza Gashi '09 from Kosovo.