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UWC THAILAND
STEADY AT THE HELM
My UWC Thailand Journey What it means to be a Klaus Hebben Scholar
Two years ago, my life changed when I was accepted into UWC Thailand as a National Committee student. As a Klaus Hebben recipient, I stood at the airport gate, a timid girl unaware of the transformative journey that lay ahead. Looking back at this incredible journey, my time as a Klaus Hebben Scholar has been filled with remarkable firsts. I learned what the beginning of a forest fire sounds like during a student-initiated trip to Chiang Rai. I gathered the courage to learn to swim and even shared this knowledge with the children at Yaowawit School. My mind stretched in ways I never imagined, diving deep into religious pluralism and John Hick's theories until my entire belief system turned upside down – and somehow, in that beautiful chaos, I managed to win an essay competition on the subject. These experiences laid the foundation for even deeper growth when I attended the UWC Thailand Residential Summer Programme, which reshaped how I see leadership and personal growth. I realised that true leadership isn't about titles or authority but about empathy, resilience, and focusing on what's within our control. More than anything, I learned that the best leaders don't just give instructions—they lead by example, turning excellence into a daily habit. While these opportunities have been transformative, what makes the Klaus Hebben scholarship particularly special is Khun Klaus's personal involvement in our journeys. Beyond his generous financial support, he takes a genuine interest in our growth and experiences. I will forever cherish our dinners together. Among all these life-changing experiences, the most significant 'first' I was introduced to is mindfulness, a concept that once felt foreign yet intriguing to me. That one could still their mind in at will, at any time one wished to, is incredible! Over the past two years, I have had countless sessions on mindfulness that have impacted me impeccably.
KRYSTAL, GRADE 12 (UGANDA) CLASS OF 2025
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