Student Stories: Finding His Voice, Far From Home
When Hamza first heard about UWC through his older brother, he wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.
Growing up in Sierra Leone, he had never imagined attending an international boarding school in Germany. Yet the opportunity to meet people from around the world and experience a different kind of education was too exciting to ignore. “I thought: why not give it a try?” he recalls. “It sounded interesting, it sounded cool, and I wanted to see what would happen.”
Nearly a year later, Hamza looks back on his time at UWC Robert Bosch College as a journey of discovery. Moving to Freiburg meant leaving behind family, friends, and familiar routines. In return, he found a community that broadened his perspective and encouraged him to grow in unexpected ways. “Sometimes you grow up with certain ideas and viewpoints because that’s all you know,” he says. “When you come here, you get to experience how the rest of the world is. That can be really valuable.”
Discovering Nature in the School Forest
One of the biggest surprises of Hamza’s first year was the School Forest CAS. Initially, he had little idea what to expect. Working outdoors in all weather conditions was far outside his comfort zone. Yet over time, what began as an unfamiliar commitment became one of the experiences he values most.
From splitting wood and using forestry tools to estimating the age of trees, the practical skills were only part of the experience. The School Forest also helped Hamza develop a deeper appreciation for nature. Coming from a large city, he was struck by how closely nature is woven into everyday life at RBC. “That’s one thing I really love about RBC,” he says. “The fact that nature is incorporated so much into the lifestyle.”
Just as importantly, the School Forest became a place to build friendships. Working together outdoors created connections with students he might not otherwise have met. “CAS is a space where bonds grow,” he reflects. “You spend time doing something together and that helps you connect with people.”
Staying Active and Building Perseverance
Beyond the classroom, Hamza has also made the most of the many opportunities for sports and fitness on campus. Currently training in calisthenics, he appreciates having access to both the school gym and the outdoor gym nestled on the edge of the Black Forest. He has also participated in football, basketball, and Taekwondo through the CAS programme. Whether learning new techniques, improving his fitness, or working towards personal goals, these experiences have helped him develop perseverance and discipline while staying connected to other students through shared activities.
Learning to Speak Up
The transition to the International Baccalaureate brought its own challenges. Compared to his previous school experience in Sierra Leone, classes at RBC place much greater emphasis on discussion and participation. “I had to get used to asking questions,” he says. “I had to get used to answering questions too.”
While the adjustment was not always easy, Hamza gradually came to appreciate a learning environment where students are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and perspectives. In his second term, Hamza joined the Anti-Racism CAS, opening another new area of learning. Through discussions, workshops, and student-led sessions, he explored questions of identity, cultural understanding, and inclusion. The CAS also gave him opportunities to facilitate conversations himself, leading discussions on topics such as cultural heritage and the restitution of stolen artworks. “It was both informative and meaningful,” he says.
More importantly, the experience strengthened his belief in dialogue. Living in an international community has shown him that understanding begins with listening and a willingness to learn from one another. “I think having respect for other people and their differences is really important,” he says.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Hamza hopes to study engineering and continue exploring the world beyond Sierra Leone. He would like to live abroad for some time, gaining new experiences and perspectives before eventually returning home. For him, that future is closely connected to the lessons he is learning at RBC today: listening to different perspectives, building meaningful connections, and understanding that growth often begins outside of one’s comfort zone. One of the biggest discoveries of his first year has been that finding your place in the world sometimes starts by travelling far from home.
