I’ve already written one post by spilling my heart all over the keyboard but I realized that probably didn’t tell the average person what to expect from UWC Adriatic. So this is just bits and pieces of the skeleton of the experience.
The IB
This is the academic program you will be partaking on, you will need to take six subjects including:
- At least two languages, including one first language and as we are funded by the Italian government you will be required to take Italian as a second language.
- One humanities subject: History, Philosophy, Economics or World Arts and Cultures
- One science: chemistry, physics, biology or Environmental Systems
- Mathematics
The IB is a course which will demand a lot of any student so be prepared to work.
CAS
This is another requirement of the IB but also ties into the UWC lifestyle, you will have each of your CAS activities once a week throughout the year
Service – our service differs but mostly involve either visiting the elderly or disabled, some people work in after school study centers as well or other more unique services such as sorting donations and delivering them to refugee centers or giving guided tours of art museums.
Action – We have a large variety of sports you can choose from ranging from out door climbing to sailing and kayaking or Karate to Ultimate Frisbee, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll enjoy.
Creativity – Again quite a lot to choose from here, for example yearbook, photography, current affairs, MUN, Patchwork, Film Club, a large variety of musical options and many more
Peace One Day
At Adriatic we not only celebrate Peace One Day itself but also “UWC Day”, typically this is celebrated by a performance in Trieste or Udine, there will also most likely be some kind of workshops or excursions, for instance debates and hikes to see the trenches in the surrounding hills
Project Week
A week long service project organized by students during which the entire college goes on different projects around Europe, in my two years I went to Svalbard, Norway to study the impact of global warming and Rome to work with the homeless and refugees.
Residences
We have 7 residences in Duino dispersed throughout the town, it’s important to note that we have not set or closed campus but rather the campus is made up of dispersed buildings and residences throughout the village.
Casa Carsica – a converted house for only 7 students of the same sex, rooms of 2 or 3
Old Offices – home to roughly 15 people of either mixed sex or same sex, rooms of 2 or 3
Foresteria – home to around 45 students, boys and girls, rooms of 2, 3 or 4
Lucchese – home to around 30 students, generally mixed, rooms of 2, 3 or 4
Scholz – home to around 25 students of the same sex, rooms of 3 or 4
Pala – houses around 50 students, boys and girls, rooms of 2 or 3
Ples – house roughly 25 students, generally girls, rooms of 2 or 3
*no you will not live in a castle*
Places
Cernizza – A small secluded beach
Porto – The main “port” of Duino where you can swim and sunbathe
Carso – The hills surrounding Duino
Tuttidi – A small local store, gelateria and pizzeria
Bowling – A bowling alley, game arcade, bar and pizzeria
Rilke Path – A path along the karst cliffs made famous by the poet Rilke
Osmizza – You’ll hear and read about this but it’s something that can be experienced much better than explained
Mickey’s and Al Castel – Two popular local bars
Mensa – The cafeteria or canteen
Other places: Auditorium, Music School, Admin Building and Library, School Buidling, Mirror room – these are fairly self explanatory
Traditions
Some of the cool things you’ll get to experience:
- EE friends, Winter Friends, IB Friends
- EE show and IB show
- Cultural Weeks: Italian, Afribbean, Middle Eastern – Asian, Occidental, Eastern European, Latino
- Leaver’s Dinner and Prom
- Osmizza
- Holi