María Isabel Leon (USA 85-87) is currently the Upper School Principal and a member of the Academic and Administrative councils, at the Gimnasio Fontana, Bogotá, Colombia.   Marisa has been teaching a wide range of age groups for over ten years in Colombia, Venezuela and the US.

 

Marisa was the Chair of the Colombian National Committee for eight years and is also a member of the UWC International Board.  She is an active board member, serving on both Education Committee and Chairing the National Committee Development Committee (NCDC).  Marisa and her Committee have been responsible for increasing the number of Colombian scholarships from one per year in 1998 to approximately eight each year.

 

“UWC changed my life in an incredibly positive way, it made me become a citizen of the world, it helped me develop sensitivity for other people's cultures, beliefs, values and it gave me the skills to solve problems in analytical and empathetic ways. I joined the International Board as there was so much to do and I was interested in helping set policies for the movement.  It was an interesting time and as a board member contributed to the establishment of  the new mission and vision objectives for the UWC movement and helping UWC begin a new stage of expansion and growth. Now my task as Chair of the NCDC is to strengthen and expand the National Committee System through regular communication and feedback from the thousands of volunteers who run it and through a close working relationship with the international Office.

“I was born and raised in Bogotá and had not left the city before I went to UWC. I was completing my high school diploma at an all girls Catholic secondary school. I finished my high school diploma in Colombia before applying and joining UWC.” recalls Marisa.

 

“I heard about UWC through a graduate, who was an ex-student of my high school who came back to the school after finishing at Pearson College to talk about her experience at UWC and the International Baccalaureate programme.  My deputy head teacher encouraged me to apply to UWC.  My two older sisters had both left Colombia after finishing high school so there was always a why not – this was something I wanted to experience for myself.  UWC presented a great opportunity for me, and the scholarship element was very important, my parents could not have afforded to send me.  Both my sisters were abroad, and they were living independently, so it would have been difficult for me to expect my parents to support me. 

 

“UWC was completely different from my Colombian high school in every way.  Firstly it was a co-ed school and I was a boarder but other big things such as the huge freedom of speech and autonomy – even though my catholic school was very open- minded and committed to social services, the outlook there was completely different.  And arriving in a foreign place and meeting other kids from all over the world – kids with very different cultures and religions – and starting to share with them different ideals and values.  It was a bit of a shock but looking back I really appreciate it now, it opened my eyes. I was confident – I think coming from the school I did was a real help but the opportunities available for me at UWC were amazing.  I experienced snow for the first time, and then learnt to ski and skate – it was so amazing for a girl from a tropical country – there were so many new things – the food, weather, sports, activities, and people.  I really loved it.

 

“I had always been strong with the humanities subjects and decided to take them further at UWC. I studied English, Spanish, History, Social Anthropology, Chemistry and Math. It was strange getting used to the more relaxed style of teaching, it was up to us to apply ourselves – there was no one hovering over us, making us do the work.  The teachers were great especially in the first semester.  They were really good at coaching us in English.  All the lessons were taught in English and they were aware that for some of us, it was not the first language and so they took the lessons slowly, teaching us how to write and present ourselves in English.  They were aware of the challenges facing us.  I had an advantage, my English was good, but even so it was difficult to start with – taking your lessons in English and doing your homework as well.

 

“The options for me in Bogotá at that time were quite limited as it was a very traditional education system.  You had to decide your career from day one, a liberal arts education was not an option.  In the end I went to University in the US.  There was one particular degree that I was interested in, I had told myself that I would apply and if I got accepted to that course on a full scholarship, then I would stay, otherwise I would return to the Catholic University in Bogotá. I was lucky, only applying to one school, and I got in on the full scholarship.

 

“I am delighted that I have been able to educate and motivate Colombian students to develop a much more international outlook. I am proud that I have been able to help young minds, and help to shape their futures, with an outlook on diversity and openness.  It is a real joy to help them get into the University of their choice and watch them pursue their dreams.  Often the students are very protected because of the security situation here and this is very limiting.  I want the next generation of Colombians to experience as much as possible - other cultures and values, broaden their outlook, which will help them be better people.

 

I also have two children of whom I am very proud, I know it is a very Mommy thing to say, but I feel that they reflect the values of the UWC.  They have been brought up in a house where the UWC ethics and ideologies are lived and they are already thinking outside their peers – they talk about travelling, they read widely and speak two languages.

 

“UWC has impacted on my outlook of the world, without UWC I would not be carrying on a life of service – not only the UWC work, but the work at school, and in other small ways such as the scout movement.  The one big thing with UWC is the use of experiential education – I have brought this into Gimnasio Fontana – especially with the seniors.  Using the outdoors, taking the students out of the school environment, out of the city to connect in a different way.  It is great to watch the interactions between students and also the students and the teachers.  You don’t get this in the normal school environment.”