First impressions

Students Iris Cvijanović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Andy Hemphill (USA) share their impressions of life at UWC in Mostar.

Transcript of video.

What were your first impressions of UWC in Mostar?

Andy Hemphill (AH): When I was arriving I was really really excited to be part of the UWC and I wasn’t sure what to expect or stuff and when I got here I was, like, wow, this is really cool. The first week went by almost without me being able to remember anything because I was so caught up in all the excitement. But during that first week I found out that this was a really special special place.

What is different about UWC in Mostar?

Iris Cvijanović (IC): This is, I guess the only school and the only place in this country where you have all three ethnic groups studying and living, which is the most important thing, together.
AH: We’re a part of a process here where, as Iris has said, we have these three groups coming together but we also have Israelis and Palestinians, me and Iraqis, we have Kurds and Turkish people and they’re all living here, living and learning together. That’s a really really important part because, as young people, we really start to instil our own beliefs and here we really learn to get along with each other really well.
What has UWC in Mostar offered you as a student?
IC: Not only do I get great academic support in terms of, I don’t know, providing a great basis for my future, which I wouldn’t get if I didn’t come here but rather to have a chance to be surrounded by people that are so different. That’s why I believe that the United World College in Mostar is the best decision I have ever made in my life and I am extremely proud of being a part of this place.
AH: It’s a really really special place and that’s why I’m so happy to be here at United World College in Mostar.