College aims for better world one student at a time

ST. DONAT'S CASTLE, Wales (Reuters Life!) - A cliff-top medieval castle in southern Wales is home to teenagers from more than 70 countries who study together for two years with the aim of becoming responsible global citizens.

Part of a 45-year-old peace movement founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn and endorsed by such world renowned luminaries as Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles, Atlantic College is one of twelve United World Colleges (UWC) that span from New Mexico to Swaziland.

Students follow a rigorous education - the International Baccalaureate - do community service and graduate with an open eye to global issues.

"We can do something unusually powerful and students can have an unusually powerful experience because they are detached from the things that normally prop us up," Atlantic College Principal Malcolm McKenzie, a South African native, told Reuters.

Many UWC graduates pursue international careers, but they are encouraged to return to their countries to put the movement's ideals into practice.

Francis Ndagijeimana, 18, who lost his parents as a child in Congo and was taken to Uganda as a U.N. refugee, said he would like to train as a doctor and help his country. He came to Atlantic College after coming top on a countrywide school exam in Uganda.

"I know the conditions people have in my country are not good. I think we should at least make an effort and send many students to UWC. Maybe if we come out as a group after we can do something," he said.

With students selected on merit and most on scholarships, UWC schools are funded by governments, ex-students and philanthropists.

Students often pursue careers in business and finance after graduating, as well as sectors more directly linked to UWC ideals, such as non-governmental organizations, but McKenzie said there was no set career path.

"I like to say to the bankers I've met who are graduates, 'does the experience that you had here influence the way you've gone about your life and the way in which you've gone about making your money?'. And the answer by and large is it has and it does," he said.

Having opened twelve colleges on four continents, the movement is now exploring sites closer to conflict zones, recently opening one in the Bosnian city of Mostar, seeking to bring together students from the former Yugoslavia and beyond.

UWC graduates include Jorma Ollila, Chairman of both oil multinational Royal Dutch Shell and Finnish mobile phone-maker Nokia as well as Canadian astronaut Julie Payette. Queen Noor of Jordan is the president for the UWC movement.

"I've realized I have to do something really useful. The world has a lot of problems but it's got a lot of good and we've got to get the balance better," Atlantic College student Ruby Tucker from England said.