At UWC Adriatic, social service is more than a weekly commitment – it’s one of the most meaningful ways our students learn to care for one another and for the world around them. Whether supporting refugees, working with children with disabilities, or promoting environmental awareness, these experiences help shape the values and perspective of our student community.
To help first-year students choose their social service activity, the College hosted its annual Social Service Fair on 30 August, where returning students and representatives from local organisations shared stories and insights from their own involvement.
Natasha from Voi Come Noi in Monfalcone showed how inclusion and empathy can transform young lives through her work with children on the autism spectrum. Haseena spoke about her tutoring at the School of Peace, helping children from diverse cultural backgrounds bridge language gaps and find a sense of belonging. Francesco, who volunteers at the refugee centre in Campo Sacro near Trieste, offered a powerful reminder of how much we can learn when we step outside our comfort zones.
This year’s fair also featured a special guest: Aleksandra Uznańska-Wiśniewska, a UWC Adriatic alumna from Poland, who shared her extraordinary journey from Duino to leading humanitarian missions in conflict zones around the world – from Ukraine to Yemen, Iraq and beyond. She spoke movingly about how her social service experience at the College helped shape the course of her life.
As our Head of College reminded us, community engagement lies at the very heart of a UWC education, nurturing compassionate, responsible individuals who are prepared to make a difference – starting right here, in our surrounding communities.
