Outdoor and Indoor Education: Fostering Diverse Learning Experiences

Students’ commitment to their co-curricular program, including outdoor education, is central to both the completion of the program and their contribution to the UWC movement.

At Pearson College UWC, we prioritize experiential learning, including outdoor education, alongside academic pursuits. Pearson students develop organizational and leadership skills, meet a variety of challenges, appreciate the beauty of our local environment, practice teamwork and cooperation, and form an enduring commitment to humanitarian service — all the while having fun along the way!

Students also take an active role in shaping their activities to meet their goals. Every activity is at least a one-year commitment that foster indoor and outdoor education, and many offer the chance to continue in a leadership role again in the second year.

Experiential learning weeks: Outdoor and indoor education

Once per term, Pearson College UWC facilitates students in designing, planning and carrying out
off-campus projects for one week. The projects allow you to develop your skills and knowledge related to one of your activities in the first term and explore other opportunities such as humanitarian service, creative expression, and outdoor challenges in the second term.

For many of our students, these are some of the most profound weeks during their time at the College. In the past, some have built housing for the homeless or worked with street youths. Others have created and led workshops on racism or performed theatrical presentations in the city, while others have crewed on sailing expeditions or volunteered at community organizations.

In the first term, students have an opportunity to participate in a large group project primarily planned by staff/faculty and some second-year students. In the second term, they have an opportunity to lead or participate in a smaller group project that may or may not be aligned with one of their CAS activities at the College.

Summer service program

One of the core aims of the UWC movement is to enable talented, committed young people from around the world to become catalysts for positive change within their communities. In between first and second years, students follow an 80-hour Summer Service Program designed to give them an opportunity to apply skills learned at the College to their home communities. In doing so, it also demonstrates that service is integral to every life and within every community.

Unique opportunities to learn about the world

College assembly

The role of the CA is to represent student, faculty and staff voices in administrative and decisionmaking processes. Students, faculty and staff form seven committees and work with the college community to address problems that affect the well-being of the community. In this role, the CA will gather opinions, requests, and/or proposals on issues related to administrative decisions.

Global affairs

As an international school with students from 92 or more countries at any one time, the College emphasizes the importance of global and international literacy. Frequently throughout the academic year, Global Affairs events bring together the College and wider communities to explore issues through presentations made and discussions led by guest speakers (including faculty, staff and students) on topics such as climate change and other environmental issues, politics, civil affairs, the arts and activism.

Village gatherings

These meetings create opportunities for the whole community to gather and discuss ideas and issues relevant to living together at Pearson College UWC. The gatherings are opportunities to practice conflict resolution, public speaking and active listening in a group of up to 250 people. Village Gatherings are based on the belief that there is wisdom in listening to the whole community before making major decisions.

Cultural sharing days

Special days are set aside so that you can work together on endeavours to share your cultures and foster understanding. Diverse cultures in the world are represented, and you may present workshops and performances based on your heritage. The contribution of the ideas and skills of all students ensures success these days.

Special topic days

These are times when the College community sets aside the regular routine to take part in a day organized around an important issue. Often, these days are led by students and facilitated with adult support. Previous Special Topics Days have been dedicated to presentations, workshops, and discussions around topics such as Indigeneity, Gender Equity and Empowerment, Climate Change, Sustainability, Access to Education and Conflict Resolution.

Core

Core is a whole school, community programming that seeks to educate and inform students on topics relating to their health and wellbeing. Every two weeks, we come together in community to discuss important topics like consent, nutrition, sleep hygiene, digital citizenship and much more. We take this time to support community care and ensure our students are able to access important concepts and strategies so that they may best take care of their health and well-being during their time at Pearson College and beyond.
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