UWCAd - frequent questions about college

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	THE UWC AS PART OF THE VILLAGE AND NOT AS A SEPARATE CAMPUS Our location is the most important difference between the UWCAd and its global partners, and is seen by many as its greatest strength. In Duino you are very unlikely to have the feeling that you are “out of the world”. You will appreciate being part of an international and English-speaking college in a quiet, peaceful Italian village. You will both get in touch with people from all over the world and see how another culture works and lives on a daily basis. But bear in mind that we are GUESTS in this village and while this will become your “home”,it is the local inhabitants’ home as well. It will be the small things that you do which will shape this relationship: taking an interest in the needs of the community, dedicating yourself to social service, or even just greeting the locals. All of these will affect your experience at the college and the way Duino and its neighbors will view you and the college for years to come.
	THE VILLAGE WHERE WE LIVE: DUINO The village of Duino rests at a cultural crossroads and has a rich Italian and Slovene heritage. The prominent Duino Castle appears in all its majesty at the center of the city, and next to it there are the ruins of the Old Castle. As a seaside village, Duino has the Porto: a beautiful pier to visit and look out upon the striking Adriatic Sea. Woods which are ideal for jogging or walking surround Duino. The famous "Rilke Path" is just in front of Foresteria residence. Fore lawn and the “secret” Fore beach below the residence are also nice places to enjoy the sun. The village is located between two cities (Monfalcone and Trieste) which are easily accessible thanks to the well-operating bus system. In the village there are several small shops for daily needs. However the cities around offer a much bigger variety and lower prices for shopping. Moreover we are surrounded by many interesting places reflecting the beautiful nature and historical heritage of Italy, such as Venice, Padova, Trieste, Aquileia and Grado.

	YOUR CO-YEARS: WHO ARE THEY? You will not be alone in the UWCAd. You will find about 90 co-years coming from countries all over the world with their cultural, social, economic, individual differences. All of them have been chosen after selections held by National Committees, and all of them will be here on full scholarship. Here, you will enjoy the chance to start a long lasting friendship with people who are so different from you, and from whom you can really learn a lot. Therefore, be open and tolerant: it is the best way to live the UWC experience fully. MY 2ND YEARS… (SECONDI) The first people you will get in touch with are the students who have already spent one year in Duino: your 2nd years! We are here to help. It is as simple as that. We want your UWCAd experience to be as positive and wonderful as possible. If you inform them in time, your second years will be waiting for you in stations and help you get settled. Of course this will only be the beginning… While your 2nd years aren’t experts on everything, they have lived at the college already and know some essentials. Don’t be afraid to approach a 2nd year about anything. From questions about washing machines to class schedules, they are more than willing to assist you. But also don`t forget, that the 2nd year students undergo periods of academic stress. Expect that there will be times when they might become preoccupied or inattentive.
THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES WITHIN THE STUDENT BODY Part of the experience of coming to the college is living in a community of equals: we live together in residences, eat the same food, have access to the same facilities… Students come from very different economic backgrounds, and it is very important to respect these differences and to learn from them. Sharing expensive belongings, such as laptops, can also be a way to feel part of a big family. Furthermore, in order to close the gap, those students who are genuinely in need may apply to receive “pocket money” from the college, which is around 50 € per month.
UWC AND GLOBAL CONCERNS The international affairs program is an important part of life at the college, in which students are expected to play an active role. It includes regular meetings, held generally every two weeks, where larger issues are dealt with contemporary history, politics, globalization, the UWC movement, food, environment, religions. Usually, international guests (professors, ex students, diplomats…) are invited. Also, we organize weekly focus sessions in which one specific issue is presented in detail, often by students. But mostly, students themselves take the initiative to make others aware of matters that concern them. Often you may find yourself involved in long conversations about current affairs with other students.
THE FOOD YOU WILL EAT… Not Italian restaurant food, but the Italian way of eating is proposed. It doesn’t mean only pasta: rice and soup are always available, as well as a number of different second courses you can choose from. For vegetarians, vegetables and special meals are provided. The place we eat is called the Mensa, using a “Mensa card” (try not to lose it) for access. Students have the option of buying (with their own money) groceries and occasionally preparing their own meals if they want to.
THE SCHOOL PROVIDES ME WITH… Quite a lot actually. As stated in the fact book, bed linen is given, but you must bring your own towels. You will also be provided with washing machines and irons to do your laundry, but you have to buy your own washing powder. Aside from the 2 main meals at Mensa, each dayroom is supplied with a variety of yogurt, milk, bread, jam, butter, cereals, coffee, tea, cocoa, and assorted other products for breakfast, or any time you are hungry. Although the residences are provided with pots (if you want to cook your own food), for hygienic reasons you are required to bring and look after your own cutlery, mugs and plates (for residence use only, not for the dining hall meals). All of your textbooks for school are provided, except for a simple translating dictionary in your language that is needed for IB exams. In addition, there is a well endowed library that will satisfy most of your academic needs. While the college is providing all these things for us we are asked to contribute with a fixed sum of money ( this year Euro 100) called caution money. The caution money is used by the school to pay for the things that get broken or lost, such as broken glasses or plates in Mensa, damage to residence furnishings or books not returned to the library. Apart from extreme cases the caution money will be partially returned to you at the end of the year. If you can’t afford the caution money the College may help you.
THE WEATHER A difficult question to answer. Being influenced by both sea and mountains, the weather in Duino is variable Generally speaking, upon arrival in Duino the weather is warm, with temperatures around 30°C for the first couple of weeks. However, soon after, the mythical Bora descends upon the village. This is a strong and very cold wind that comes from the general direction of Siberia. Thus autumn is cool, and winter can be extremely cold at times. During your stay here you are likely to see the snow: for some people this really is a discovery! But don’t panic: Towards spring the temperature rises and allows us to enjoy the beautiful Adriatic Sea. (which means: Don’t forget to bring your swimming suits and to take the swimming test.)	HOMESICKNESS: HOW TO DEAL WITH IT Right now you might not be worried about homesickness, given that you are at home, and you might even think you won’t be affected by this miserable condition. Or you may be terrified by the idea of leaving home. Well, homesickness happens to all of us here! It affects everyone differently, but it affects everyone so you are not alone! The best thing to do is confide in your friends and roommates and to seek support. They will cheer you up, and then turn around and seek your support when they are having problems. You can also contact your parents and friends by buying a phone card and calling them or by using the internet facilities the school is providing.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND STAFF The UWCAd believes that communication between students and staff is central to the success of the school and therefore each Monday students meet with their tutors to address individual problems and issues. Immediately following this, the entire school meets in the dayroom of Foresteria, college’s biggest residence. Here students and staff have the opportunity to express their concerns and also give any information about what is going on in the college. Students also have their own representatives. At the beginning of the second school term they are elected by the college community and they chair a college meeting every month, in which matters of general interest, especially dealing with the college life, are discussed. But keep in mind that the student government structure is open to changes according to the needs of the community.




THE RULES OF THE SCHOOL To be honest, not very many. This is an important part of the college’s philosophy. As a member of the UWC movement, we are not considered children, but responsible people who are sharing their experience with others. Therefore, many of the responsibilities will be up to you. The college community trusts you. You must have good sense, and behave responsibly. Nevertheless, there are a few rules. First of all, no drugs. It is that simple. The school is very serious when it comes to this. If they discover you have had any experience with drugs at the college you will be forced to leave. This is not an idle threat, so common at many schools. There will be no second chances, no exceptions. So whatever you do, don’t plan to use any drugs here because it is not worth the risk. Another very important rule is the curfew. This is not because the school wants to inhibit your ability to have fun, but they are deeply concerned for your safety. The curfew starts at 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. This means that you have to be in your residences by this time, but you can stay awake and spend time in your residence as long as you want, if you do not disturb anybody. This is a liberal curfew on the school’s part, common to most similar institutions, and as such it is expected that you will respect it. It would not be possible for the faculty to run around Duino making sure everyone is where they are supposed to be, but you must realize that if we don’t follow the few rules the school has, then stricter policies will most likely be instituted. The college discourages smoking. Smoking is absolutely prohibited inside any of the college buildings, including the residences. After much discussion, it was decided by students to limit the places for smoking outside the college buildings as well, so smokers’ and non-smokers’ rights are better balanced. The policy is that each residence has a “smoking area”, which the residents themselves determine, and the common buildings have areas, such as the garden behind the School Building. Daily attendance at your lessons, core activities and services is mandatory. In case you are sick the school nurse/doctor determines whether you should rest in your room. You will find that just missing a couple lessons, without the permission of the school nurse, will create difficulties for you that you do not want. By coming here you commit yourself to regular attendance, and besides, it will foster a better relationship with your teachers.
WHAT IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS? One teacher will serve as your tutor, who will be responsible for helping you with your course selection and will make sure you are adjusting to the college life. Furthermore your tutor will listen to your concerns and will help you solving them throughout the year. Although all the teachers, including the Director of Studies and the Headmaster, would be pleased to listen to your concerns personally, your tutor will be your first link to the faculty. Every Monday you will meet to discuss college business, and at least once a month, your tutorial group, which consists of around ten people, will have a tutorial dinner. This might be an outdoor picnic, an excursion to a local restaurant, or a meal at your tutor’s home. Feel free to talk to your tutor about any concerns you may develop over the course of the year. (And, of course, don’t forget your fellow students.
ONE KEY WORD: RESPECT As you may have realized, the college is not “the strict residential school” you might have seen in the films. There are only few rules but every student is expected to follow them. These rules exist as a result of experience and were mostly created with the help of the students. In order to make the college maintain its unique atmosphere all the students have to respect the policies. Yet it is not only the policies that should be respected. In many occasions respect is the most important guide we have to avoid conflict while experiencing and enjoying the college life fully. So always keep in mind that the college is based on the ideas of mutual understanding and respect.