At its core, my MUWCI journey was all about the deep connections built with friends, faculty, staff, and the locals in the surrounding villages who quickly became familiar faces. People often talk about the lifelong friendships they make during their two years. To me, however, the true power of connection showed up in more subtle ways—and it was just as meaningful.
Noor Khayou (MUWCI 2024)
I witnessed these cross-cultural connections grow every morning when the campus custodian greeted me. He would eagerly try out the new English words he had learned, giving me a chance to practice my Marathi in return. By the end of the first term, he proudly asked me in English how my exams went.
I felt that same sense of community when our security guard brought fresh local mangoes to our Wada residents during evening Check-in. He would enthusiastically watch us rehearse “Sau Gile Shikve Hain Lekin,” a song written by our own Head of College, Gaurav Chopra. That song quickly became my personal bridge to Wada 5 and the broader MUWCI community. What began as a daunting task—a group of international teenagers practising a song in an unfamiliar language—evolved into the very thing that bound us together. As we grasped the lyrics, a beautiful message about love persisting despite grief and hardships became clear to us.
On other occasions, we didn’t even need to exchange English, Hindi, or Marathi to build a meaningful bond. Going to Sadhana Village every week as part of my IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project to play and dance with the residents taught me that true human connection transcends language barriers, age gaps, and ability status.
I navigate the world knowing that no matter where I end up, I will always have this community supporting me.
I found myself drawn back to this transformative UWC experience in India even after I moved to the United States for college. During my freshman year, I got together with Nicolas, my MUWCI co-year and leader of the Sadhana Friends. We reflected on our time there for hours, and I ended up writing a major paper about it for my Cultural Anthropology class.
The best news is that these connections don’t fade when you graduate; the global UWC alumni network continues to evolve long after you leave campus. They provide you with grace at the exact moments you need it, reminding you of who you are. As I travelled around the US, I reunited with MUWCI friends and met other UWC alums for the very first time. I stayed in their homes, shared dinners, and even travelled with them.
I was reminded of this unique bond once again during the annual UWC Davis Scholars dinner at my university. Surrounded by MUWCI friends and other UWC alums who have become my family away from home, I felt the undeniable power of those connections and how they have truly changed my life.
In a world full of uncertainties, the lessons I learned at MUWCI have only become more meaningful. Despite all the hardships, I know for a fact that—just as we sang together in the Wada—true connections and love persist.