United World Colleges (UWC) and Oberlin

To be honest, Oberlin was not on my radar at the beginning of my college journey. I didn’t know about its existence until I went to a college fair. The ultimate reason that I ended up choosing Oberlin was that it just felt so much warmer than any other institution I’d applied to. It was evident through the emails I received from so many different departments, offering guidance and help. Even the International Student & Scholar Services Office—Josh Whitson (Associate Dean for Intercultural Engagement) provided the quickest replies to emails in the world. I just felt like this is a place where I would receive a lot of guidance and that’s what I was seeking.

Honestly, it wasn’t a rough transition, and I think that’s because of what the transition to UWC was like. As an international student, I knew how to exist in a space that wasn't familiar to me or about me. Unlike UWC, however, people here sometimes assume things are just the same everywhere else. That was the only thing I had to be intentional about sharing, “Hey, actually this isn’t the same. This is how I do stuff.” But people are very open to hearing that, and I’m grateful for that.

I’m studying biochemistry and global health. I’m interested in the global health and public health space, specifically at home. I’m hoping that’s something I can venture into.

It has been very positive. If anything, I just wish I saw the other UWC students more. I always appreciate those interactions. It feels like home for me because we’ve experienced essentially the same thing, the same mission. It’s very special and I’m grateful for that community.

I feel like this will be a developing answer as I spend more time here, but for now I will say the weather. I had never experienced this level of cold before. But it’s okay, I’ll survive!

It was relatively smooth. Coming from an international school, I already had experience living with roommates from different countries, so adjusting to dorm life here wasn’t hard. Academically, the transition was manageable because the IB really prepares you for college-level work. It’s demanding, but it gave me the skills to handle Oberlin’s rigor.

Very helpful. I’m a STRONG (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) Scholar, which is a program for students of color and income-eligible students that provides opportunities to do research. I’ve always been interested in STEM, so having that community and support to pursue research from my first semester was incredible. The Center for Student Success also helped me with course planning and meeting other first-gen students; it created a community, so I didn’t feel out of place. And the Career Exploration and Development office has been amazing; all of my internships so far have been through them.

I’m studying computer science with an interest in economics. My current research focuses on predictive AI, specifically developing AI that can help put out wildfires. We’re studying how AI agents or robots can best collaborate with humans to extinguish fires efficiently while conserving resources and avoiding redundancy. It’s fascinating work.

There’s a lot I love about Oberlin. First, the small student-to-professor ratio, it really suits my learning style because I value close, one-on-one interactions with professors. I also like that Oberlin is a liberal arts college. In my IB program I studied mostly STEM subjects—chemistry, physics, and economics—but I also loved learning French. I wanted a college where I could explore different disciplines, and Oberlin gives me that flexibility. I also appreciate the vibrant student organizations. For example, the African Students Association provided me with a welcoming community and helped me settle in quickly. I love that students can start their own organizations and receive support and funding for them, that’s something not every college offers.

It’s always nice to run into other UWC alums and share experiences. Talking to other UWC grads reminds me that we’ve already overcome big challenges—we did it before, and we can do it again. That mindset really helps when things get tough.

Definitely the weather. I underestimated how cold Ohio winters can be. People warned me, but I didn’t really believe them. I was also surprised by how much career support is available. The Career Exploration and Development office is amazing, they really want to see you succeed. I didn’t know about the internship funding they offer, where you can get a stipend to do unpaid internships. That’s an incredible opportunity and I plan to take advantage of it. I didn’t know there would be other UWC students here; I thought I’d be the only one. It was such a nice surprise to meet others with similar backgrounds. Discovering that community after arriving made me feel at home in an unexpected way.

I chose Oberlin because of the double-degree program. At no other institution is a double-degree program so well facilitated.

Oberlin is a great place for UWCers! I found the culture here very similar to that of Pearson College, albeit a bit less international.

I am studying piano performance and math.

I like to attend club soccer, go to concerts at the conservatory and in Finney Chapel, and run with my friends. 

My favorite thing about Oberlin is the integration of the conservatory and the college, in terms of both the student bodies and the classes.

The UWCers here are great! I’m hoping that more UWCers can come to Oberlin in the future!

I was struck with the close relationship between the professors and students. The professors here care deeply about teaching, and are willing to go the extra mile for their students.

I wish I had known about all the research opportunities students have at Oberlin. If you get the chance, I would recommend contacting teachers whose research you’re interested in and participating in the summer research program!

When talking with my college admissions counselor, I explained that I was interested in both physics and music. Immediately, she recommended that I look into Oberlin because of the strength of both the music and physics programs here, and lo and behold that’s where I ended up!

I would say that it was quite difficult, but I think any change of that magnitude would be. I had flown essentially to the other end of the globe to a completely different place in almost every way, but it taught me a new level of independence and grit. Having things to do here that aligned with my interests and having lots of space and facility to pursue them really helped me settle in though.

I study physics here at Oberlin, which takes up most of my time. I have also done a lot of math, as well as studying jazz guitar. I have taken a handful of creative writing and English literature classes, and I have really enjoyed studying and writing poetry.

I would say the music community and how easy it is to engage with music at any level. Whether you're a beginner, a conservatory-level musician, or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you here, no matter what instrument you are interested in!

It has been very warm and inviting. It has been very comforting to meet people who had a similar experience to me before arriving at Oberlin. It has also been very exciting to see how it has grown since my first year, and meeting everyone at social events that the college organizes for us.

I’d say the biggest surprise was how much having such a small teacher-to-student ratio made a difference to my learning experience. Being able to have one-on-one interactions with professors easily makes it such that you can not only excel in your classes, but get into things like research and other exciting projects that you might not be able to do at other schools.

I wish I had known to reach out and engage more with the multitude of resources available as a student. If there is anything that you’re struggling with or anything that you might need, there is support for you as a student here. Although it can be quite an overwhelming and isolating feeling to be in college on your own, there is always help available and you aren’t alone!

I remember researching colleges while still at UWC and seeing the catchy description of Oberlin College’s 500 concerts per year. I am not a musician myself, but I was definitely drawn to the idea of a campus that was so musically inclined. Inspired by this, I ended up reading many of the student blog posts which ultimately pushed me to apply. They described the campus as a very welcoming space, ranging in activities from the Oberlin Saturday Farmer’s Market to all the different concerts and campus events. This general impression of a small liberal arts campus is what ultimately led me to become an Obie.

My transition was accompanied by a gap year, which I spent doing Semester at Sea, a Davis-funded program traveling to 12 countries. Coming from that dynamic space into the small town of Oberlin was initially quite the adjustment. I instantly loved the people and the community, and instantly made friends through the International Student Orientation week, but definitely took my time in adjusting to the location and campus. However, a few months in, I got a job, was able to explore more of the town, and was able to engage with different clubs and organizations. Being away for the fall break of first semester was the first time I missed Oberlin, and it was when I realized it was starting to become a home too.

I am double-majoring in Hispanic studies and communication studies, with an anthropology minor and an education studies concentration. I am specifically interested in intercultural communication, international education, and cultural studies. My current research focuses on how language shapes our perception and how this contributes to international and multicultural classrooms.

I work a lot. My second home on campus is The Cat in the Cream, a lovely college-owned coffeehouse. I’ve been working there since my first semester, covering shifts like arts and crafts nights, jazz concerts, and magic shows. The staff has become my little community, and I spend much of my week there. Outside of this, I love going to the Yeofit fitness classes at the gym, attending the International Student Organization’s events, reading books, and biking on the Oberlin bike path. Next semester, I am also starting pottery and rock climbing.

Obieland has become my home for so many reasons: from the friends I made in my first year during International Student Orientation, to the house we currently live in together; from the colorful Ohio fall, to the gorgeous Ohio spring; from classes where I feel intellectually stimulated, to professors who connect with students. It’s hard to pick one favorite thing, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say it’s the community. It’s quirky, it’s unique, it’s unusual, and it’s awesome – all the way from faculty to students.

My main experience with the UWC community has been the Office of Admissions-sponsored meals we have at the beginning of every year. In my first year, this meal was a chance to meet fellow UWCers who had ended up at Oberlin and learn what they were up to on campus. In my senior year, that same event was a chance to present my experience with Oberlin to the first years.

Ohio is very, very, very flat. I come from a very mountainous region in Macedonia, and upon arriving on campus, I realized how different the landscapes here were. It definitely took some getting used to, but I can happily say I now enjoy the flatness (especially during my bike rides!).