Dreaming Big, Giving Back: Luz’s UWC Story
When Luz Maria Urena Gazo first heard about UWC in her small rural town nestled between two mountains in Costa Rica, it felt like a distant dream.
Stories of young people going abroad on scholarships were rare where she grew up, but Luz felt a spark when she learned about the UWC experience of her neighbour. She applied twice before receiving her acceptance to UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg, coincidentally turning 18 the day she arrived in August 2022 and stepping into a world she had only imagined.
At RBC, Luz found a community that embraced her, even when language was at first a barrier. Arriving with little English, she navigated her first months with courage and the support of Spanish-speaking teachers and caring housemates in House Five. There were challenges, adjusting to new food, new routines, and a new language, but Luz’s spirit remained strong. She found joy in the everyday: random conversations in the common rooms, house dinners filled with laughter, and spontaneous dance practices. She dove into UWC life wholeheartedly, leading the crochet CAS, co-organising events to raise funds for local causes, and volunteering during Freiburg community days. One of her fondest memories is crocheting blankets with classmates and Freiburg residents for Women’s Day, a project that brought warmth and connection beyond campus fences. “It was a time of growth,” Luz shares. “I learned to speak up for myself, to care for others and myself, and to find courage in building community.”
“It meant everything”
One moment that captured this spirit of growth came at graduation in May 2024. Despite the struggles with English at the start of her UWC journey, Luz was chosen by her peers, together with her co-year Audrey, to be the MC for their graduation. “That might sound like a small detail, but to me, it meant everything,” Luz shares. “It was a powerful reminder of what community really means. My peers knew how far I had come, and they chose me to speak on one of the most important days of our lives together.” Standing in front of everyone, Luz realised how deeply UWC had shaped her. “There were moments when I doubted myself or felt like I still couldn’t express myself fully in English. But even in those moments, my community stood by me. They reminded me of my growth, supported me, and helped me believe in myself again.”
Luz’s UWC story didn’t end there. She moved to the US to study Economics and International Affairs at Lewis & Clark College, where she now juggles her studies with multiple campus jobs, supporting other students and creating a small home away from home with fellow UWC alumni. “UWC prepared me,” she says, “for taking on challenges and for building community wherever I go.”
Giving back
Perhaps the most beautiful part of Luz’s journey is how she gives back. Immediately after graduation, she returned to Costa Rica to volunteer with her National Committee, helping to guide the selection process for future UWC students. Just a year after graduating, she now serves as the National Selections Coordinator for Costa Rica, sharing her story with applicants from rural towns like her own and encouraging them to dream big. “I never imagined having this opportunity,” she reflects. “It changed my life, and I want to help others find their opportunity too.”
As we celebrate Luz and the many alumni who continue to live the UWC mission, we invite you to give back to the movement that has shaped us all. Whether it’s through your time as a volunteer, your talent by mentoring or sharing your expertise, or your treasure by supporting scholarships through the Alumni Challenge, every contribution helps open doors for future changemakers like Luz. Want to be more involved? Let us know via alumni@uwcrobertboschcollege.de, and we will be in touch with options!
