Neuigkeiten von unserer Rektorin

October 19th, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The past few weeks at Robert Bosch College have been filled with learning, celebration, and meaningful connection across our community. On Open Day (September 19th), we welcomed around 400 visitors to our campus. The energy, commitment, and enthusiasm behind everything, from the performances to the workshops, activities, and tours, left a strong impression. Many visitors told me of the joy they felt on entering the campus and the hope they found in the spirit of our diverse community. The theme “Voices for Hope” was well chosen, and it resonated with everyone in these challenging geopolitical times. As one member of the audience at the second café performance said when asked what gives him hope: RBC.

At the end of September, students embarked on the first Project Week (PW) of the year. Second years left campus for their week away and all returned safely. From my conversations with many, it’s clear they’ve gained a lot from this enriching experience – thank you to all staff who supported them.

Meanwhile, all first years took part in our new pilot Project Week, “Peace and Sustainability,” coordinated by our Director of Student Life, Cassie, and our Threads Team of Natasha, Therese, Tobi, Kristin, Fabian and Emilio, with the help of many other staff and some second-year students. The first years were largely on campus undertaking workshops on Peacebuilding and Sustainability but also spent a couple of days at Lake Schluchsee (about 1 hour away by car, up in the Black Forest) to learn basic outdoor skills, as well as taking trips within the local area on the same themes. Many of the first years told me how much they enjoyed the experience, and I hope they learnt a great deal from it. The new format has given us plenty to build on.

Another highlight was our first Special Focus Day (SFD) last Thursday, October 15th, dedicated to interfaith dialogue. SFDs are an integral part of our curriculum, allowing students to dive deeply into specific topics. Given UWC’s mission, fostering interfaith understanding is essential to promoting intercultural dialogue and peaceful communication. The day was not about promoting any one belief or influencing students’ faith or atheistic positions. Its focus was education, exchange, and respect. Students could choose from more than 40 workshops and seminars, with over 20 faith communities represented through both internal and external speakers and workshop leaders. I hope these encounters offered moments of connection, insight, and discovery, and reminded students of the richness that comes from learning about others’ traditions and values. And if thought and action belong together, then the real test lies in how we live at RBC every day: turning understanding into practice and building bridges across difference through the way we listen to, learn from, and live alongside one another.

We also encourage connection beyond the campus through our “Get to Know Your Host Family Day”, which took place on Sunday 11th October. This initiative continues to be a much-valued opportunity for cultural exchange and for building lasting friendships.

While the term has been busy and enriching, we’re mindful that many in our community come from regions affected by conflict and suffering, some of which are highlighted in the media, while others remain less visible. UWC’s founding belief is that by bringing together students from around the world, we can foster friendships that transcend political, national, and ideological boundaries. In this spirit, students held an intensely moving series of testimonials on Tuesday, October 6th, in which peers from Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and the wider region spoke about the impact of the conflict on them, their families and friends.

The academic programme will pause for Fall Break, which runs from the evening of Friday, October 23rd, to Sunday, November 1st. For students who wish to leave campus for all or part of the break, we ask that they complete an Overnight Absence Form and be back on campus by 19:00 on Sunday, November 1st. Late arrivals are not permitted. If a student experiences travel delays, they must communicate this to the staff on duty and regularly update them of their anticipated arrival time.

You may also have heard about our new fundraising project, “Peace by Piece – Become part of the bigger picture.” At the entrance to the Kartaus, we are assembling a large wooden puzzle, one piece at a time, to fund two student scholarships and open doors to new opportunities. If you would like to be part of the picture, you are warmly invited to claim a piece for yourself or give one as a gift. The attached flyer explains how.

For those welcoming their children home over the break, perhaps with a fellow RBC student in tow, I hope you will notice growth not only in their knowledge but also in their empathy, resilience and understanding of the world. I hope, too, that they bring stories of the friendships and experiences that have shaped them these past months.

If you wish to write to me, please feel free to do so in a language of your choice.

Warm regards,
Helen White, Rektor