“I wanted to be in a place where people care about their surroundings”
Nora’s Journey at UWC Robert Bosch College
When Nora applied to UWC Robert Bosch College, she felt she had found a place that brought together everything she cared about: international perspectives, sustainability, and a community of young people eager to make a difference.
Nora first heard about UWC through her mother, an alumna of United World Colleges who attended Pearson College UWC. Her mother’s stories and lived experience of lifelong friendships and a global community left a lasting impression. Years later, when one of Nora’s close friends decided to apply to UWC, Nora took a closer look at the schools’ mission. “I felt that this was a place where people are genuinely interested in the world around them and motivated to take action,” she says.
A community that feels like home
Nora grew up in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt, and spent the four years before coming to Freiburg attending an international school in Rwanda. There, she discovered how enriching it can be to learn alongside people from different cultures and backgrounds. Coming to UWC Robert Bosch College allowed her to continue experiencing that international environment, while also engaging with a community centered around shared values.
At UWC Robert Bosch College, she found a place where these interests could continue to grow.
One of the biggest surprises for Nora was how quickly strangers became close friends. “You hear that living together brings people close, but experiencing it yourself is something entirely different,” she says. She shares a room with students from the United States, Thailand, and Finland. What began as a random room assignment soon turned into a second family. “When I come back to my room, I feel safe. It feels like home.”
Two themes have shaped Nora’s first year in particular: sustainability and political engagement.
Sustainability in everyday life
Sustainability has long been one of Nora’s core interests, and at UWC Robert Bosch College she has found countless ways to deepen it. Through the Sustainability Podcast, she interviewed members of the school community about environmental issues and and their own engagement with sustainability. Living in Freiburg, one of Germany’s most environmentally conscious cities, has further reinforced her commitment. Whether cycling through the city, spending time in the campus garden, or choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, sustainability is woven into her everyday life.
Turning political interest into action
Politics is another passion that has flourished at RBC. Through the Democracy Crew, Nora has interviewed politicians, spoken with residents of Freiburg about their views, and explored democratic participation firsthand. What was intimidating at first quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of her experience. “UWC is about understanding different perspectives—not only within our community, but also beyond it.”
One of Nora’s most cherished memories took place after a Special Focus Day. Sitting in the school garden with friends, surrounded by sunshine and birds singing, she found herself reflecting on how much had changed in such a short time. “In that moment, I realized how grateful I was—for the people around me and for everything this experience has given me.”
For Nora, UWC Robert Bosch College is more than a school. It is a place where she has been able to pursue her interests, build meaningful friendships, and grow in ways she had not expected.
Photo credit: Björn Hänssler
