Hey! My name is Amelia, I am 17 years old from Cork. At the moment I am studying in UWC Atlantic College in Wales.

I’ve been trying to write this reflection on my time here for the past few days. But it is so hard to put my whole experience here into words.

It has been the most amazing thing I have decided to do. I have grown up in a very sheltered small village in the south of Ireland (Cork). I've always had a love for adventure and a desire to travel, learn and taste new cultures. When I first found out about UWC I thought it was the coolest thing ever but I was overall a bit iffy because I would NEVER leave home. My parents convinced me to go to AC's open day and I instantly fell in love. I couldn’t believe I could go to school and actually have fun. So I knew I had to go for it and was going to apply. After that I went through the longest application process which made me doubt my decisions many times. But it was so incredibly worth it.

Prior to AC I went to a school which made me feel almost alien-like for not being interested in becoming one of there ‘close minded career path’, which they set students up for at this school. Although there is nothing bad with wanting to follow one of these paths, I’m not interested in that. But they made me feel completely inferior to others for not wanting this.

But getting to AC and realising I could get an education while actually having fun was so foreign to me.

The first couple of months here I had no idea what I got myself into, full of awkward first interactions, getting lost going to classes, missing home , but most importantly so much fun.

My favourite thing about UWC is the random little conversations I end up having with people. Hearing the stories and perspectives of people from different countries, religions, cultures and experiences is what makes it truly magical. Stories that I can’t even imagine happening at home. I hope this inspired you to apply to UWC!