Embarking on a life-changing journey to study with peers from around the world is both exciting and challenging—especially for students who are non-native English speakers. To ease this transition, UWC Adriatic offers the English Language Learners (ELL) programme, a pre-orientation initiative designed to help students adjust both linguistically and culturally before the academic year begins.
This year, 12 students from Angola, Iraq, South Sudan, Italy, Japan, Armenia, Vietnam, Moldova, France, Germany, and Argentina arrived in Duino a week ahead of the official start of term. The English Language Learners (ELL) programme provided them with essential support through English language lessons, basic Italian instruction, and an array of social and cultural activities. The goal was to ensure students could settle into their new environment with confidence and form connections that would support them throughout their time at UWC Adriatic.
Led by a dedicated team of nine second-year volunteers—Kristína (Slovakia), Elisa (Italy), Mahmoud (Egypt), Kaoru (Japan), Mariela (Bolivia), Leonardo (Italy), Augustin (Canada), Christos (Cyprus), and Antonia (Belgium)—the students engaged in a range of activities that included English conversation practice, learning basic Italian, a game of charades centered on UWC values and mission, an exploration of the nearby city of Trieste, a lively karaoke evening, and much more!
Three alumnae, Naima Fiumara, Jona Lotta Hoek, and Elisabeth Dorothea Szczyrba, also returned to Duino to contribute to the programme and ensuring its success by guiding new students during all activities.
At the end of the week, the new students and the second-year volunteer students were ready to start the new term, and very grateful for the experience. Laura S., Head of English, has been supervising this programme since it was initiated in 2018. Organising it involves a collective effort during the summer but the feedback from participants and their smoother integration in the College community testify to its importance.
The initiative, made possible by the continued support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, is a key part of the college’s summer preparations to welcome students from around the world and to create an equal educational environment. As the week concluded, both students and volunteers expressed their gratitude for the experience, feeling more prepared and excited to begin their UWC journey.
