Viking Views

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This issue was published
by the MMP class and
was edited by Cheryl
Bulpitt.

United World Colleges

BY CHERYL BULPITT

United World College students from around the world hanging out at
Pearson College in B.C.

The United World Colleges (U.W.C.'s) are a group of ten International schools which provide for an exciting educational experience. The U.W.C.'s offer unique opportunities around the world, or an international experience right here in Canada at our own Pearson College. They also offer an enriching education through the International Baccalaureate curriculum, and interaction with outstanding fellow students. Attending a U.W.C. is an amazing opportunity which many may not consider because they are unaware of what a U.W.C. has to offer.

U.W.C.'s are located in a diverse range of locations including: Canada, Singapore, Venezuela, Wales, Italy, Hong Kong, India, Norway, New Mexico, and South Africa. Students are selected on merit and most U.W.C's accept students only on full scholarships. Students attending U.W.C.'s come from over 80 different countries creating the truly international environment and opportunity to share and understand other cultures. As well as academics, U.W.C.'s have a wide range of extracurricular activities, interests, and community involvement for students to pursue as they live and go to school on campus.

Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, B.C., Canada

Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is located just outside Victoria, British Columbia. It's campus is located on the beautiful west coast surrounded by the B.C. forest with canoeing, kayaking, scuba-diving, hiking, available right on campus to students. The campus facilities also include a complete library, computer labs, a lecture theatre, an indoor swimming pool, an
observatory, and much more. Pearson is home to 200 outstanding students from around the world each year. These students and many of the staff of Pearson reside on campus in dorm houses. Students share a comfortable room
with 3 others and each house has complete washroom, shower and laundry, facilities, a mini kitchen, and a common room.

The intensive two year International Baccalaureate (I.B.) curriculum prepares students for university and is equivalent to our grade 12 and first year university.
The I.B. is offered in English at all U.W.C.'s. The I.B. program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural understanding, and an exposure to varying points of view. The standard curriculum covers subjects from sciences and mathematics to arts and languages providing students with a well rounded education. The I.B. program is highly recognized around the world, especially by universities when admitting students.

The students at U.W.C.'s are highly motivated, dedicated, intelligent, and ambitious. They bring their wide range of talents and knowledge in academics, athletics, arts, music, and in many more areas to the college atmosphere. Students live and learn together sharing their cultures each and every day. U.W.C. students continue to be leaders in whatever profession they choose. They possess great confidence in their ability to help make the world a better place through peace, understanding, and community involvement.

The U.W.C. experience is an amazing one, definitely worth considering. The knowledge, friendships, and cultural awareness it provides will remain with its students throughout their lives, and have a lasting effect on all they do. If you would like more information on any of the U.W.C.'s, check out their web page at http://www.uwc.org or speak to Mr. John Armstrong about the possibility of applying. Canadian students apply in their grade 11 year to attend a U.W.C. for the following two years. Grade 10 students who are interested on applying to a U.W.C. should consider spending three weeks at Pearson College for the Pearson Seminar on Youth Leadership (PSYL) offered each summer. The seminar provides the opportunity to learn more about the U.W.C.'s as well as meet students who attend them. This is a chance for perspective students can see if a U.W.C. is right for them. The Guidance Department also has information on PSYL.