What does everyday life look like in college?

During regular weeks, academic studies (IB subjects) take place from morning till early afternoon. In the afternoon there are various activities that are carried out - whether it's volunteer work, sports activities, lectures, music, discussion groups, preparations for events and more. This is in addition to studying and doing homework. Every student in college is also invited to lead activities in the field that interests them.

In addition, there are special weeks like "Project Week" during which no classes are held and every student participates in one project that they select - there are many options to choose from. Students can also set up their own project week plan and have it approved. 

And if that's not enough, there are also various events during regular weeks, such as a global seminar once a month, regular lectures on global issues, etc.

Are there other people in the college besides the teachers and the students?

In the colleges you will find an extensive academic staff that includes teachers from around the world, as well as administrative staff (principal, secretariat, drivers, ground-keepers etc.) who are usually also very international. In addition to the academic / administrative positions, the entire staff in the college also has other positions, such as personal counselors (each student is assigned a personal counselor from the college staff), a house manager (depending on the college structure), project week leaders, volunteer service coordinators and much more. In addition, in many colleges there are volunteers and/or locals who take part in various activities in college.

Do the parents have a contact person from the college? How are the parents updated on the child's acclimatization process?

Each student in college is accompanied by a personal counselor who accompanies them in their academic and social integration during the two years. Usually, there is no direct connection between the counselor and the parents except in exceptional circumstances where necessary. In addition, the college administration contacts the parents in cases of medical need or other urgent requirements concerning the student.

At the academic level, semester status reports are sent to the Israeli committee as well as to the student's parents, and this is a good way to monitor student achievement and obstacles, both academically and socially. In cases where there are serious problems in the general field of following the academic course, the college will make direct contact with the parents and the Israeli National Committee.

What happens on weekends in college?

The weekends (Saturday-Sunday) are also busy with a variety of activities, in addition to homework, studies, reading and independent learning that must be done. Beyond movies, trips, and a variety of regular events, many special events take place on weekends - for example, once every few weeks there is an evening dedicated to another continent / region in the world, and includes dinner, performances and parties in the best tradition of the area - all organised by the students. In addition, the college sometimes organizes a weekend trip that you can join. Some colleges also have host families, who can be visited on certain weekends to change the atmosphere and learn more about the local people & culture.

Do children have adoptive families?

Some colleges have a host family program, in which students who are interested (and eligible for it according to college criteria) have a local family that hosts them on assigned weekends. Most students go out to stay with the host families once every few weeks. The frequency of the sessions also depends on the relationship formed between the student and the host-family.

How many students are there per room/dorm?

The number varies, but depending on the structure of the college it’s usually between 2 and 5 students per room. This information can be checked on the websites of the various colleges, which can be accessed via the UWC website at www.uwc.org 

How are the living conditions?

The structure of the residences and buildings varies from college to college. However, all colleges are invested in the living conditions of their students. In addition to dorms, various showers and toilets can be found in each student house, as well as a kitchenette for student use, a shared living-room, and much more. The showers are usually shared by several students. The colleges that are not located in the cities are located in pastoral areas with incredible views.  

What do you eat in college?

Of course the food varies from college to college, depending on the kitchen staff and the cuisine of the country in which the college is located. It is important to note that colleges adhere to a basic menu that is tailored to the majority of the population. Three meals a day are served, and a snack. A vegetarian meal is available at all colleges, and necessary arrangements will be made for vegan students.

Are there vacations and visits?

In each school year, there is a winter vacation of approximately 3 weeks (During Christmas - New Years, between December-January) as well as a long summer vacation of between two to three months. In addition, there are other holidays in the Easter period, and other national holidays depending on the country.

Is there a monthly budget for students? Do colleges give out-of-pocket expenses to students?

No monthly budget or out-of-pocket budget from the college is given, except in exceptional cases where a token budget is given from the college in case of receiving a full scholarship.

How many students are from the same country in the school?

The number varies from college to college, as well as from year to year, depending on the scholarship allocation received from the colleges.

The population of the host country (or region) usually makes up around 30% of the college population.

From Israel, between 1-3 students attend the same college per year, depending on the number of scholarships received. It is possible that in a given year no student from Israel will travel to a particular college for various reasons.