Marietta Ng

The two years I spent at UWC-USA turned out to be a trip around the world

Marietta Ng (USA 88-90) is a specialist in water resource management and water quality. She has worked as a Chemist at the Panama Canal Authority for the past 11 years and is also a freelance environmental consultant for private companies and the Panamanian Environmental Authority. Still a strong believer in the UWC ideals, Marietta is currently Chairperson of the UWC National Committee of Panama.

“When I left home over 20 years ago, I didn’t know my life would be defined by my experience at the College. I not only learned about other people, their cultures, beliefs, problems as individuals and as nations; I also learned about myself. I changed my mind about some issues and prejudices and found courage to stand for my personal convictions even when I was the only one.

“At first I thought going to UWC was a way to improve my English skills or a stepping stone to study abroad. But the two years I spent at UWC-USA turned out to be a trip around the world. Many people dream about going abroad and getting to know at least another country or another culture. I had the chance to see the world in one place. At UWC I made the best friends I’ve ever had, and up to this day, they’re still a part of my life. At UWC I learned to make lifelong friends.

“I’m not the same eager know-it-all UWCer, but I still believe in finding peace through education and tolerance, though utopic and old fashioned. Every year, when a new group of young fearful yet adventurous kids arrives to each College, I believe again. They leave the safety of home or the fear of war, poverty or crime and they get to a new and different place where they learn about themselves and their cultures, and other people’s, people who are totally different from them. And then, UWC happens.

“So, since I still believe, after so many years, I’m still involved with the movement. I have been working forthe Panamanian National Committee for 14 years and I’m proud to have been able to touch the lives of so many others through every single kid I have selected to go to the Colleges. Somehow, these kids have spread the UWC seed in their homes, communities and their countries. All I have to do is look around when our Committee meets, and I see my kids working with me, and I see they’ve become such excellent men and women, I think to myself  “Hey, we must be doing something right.”