Our experience as one of the "original five" colleges participating in the Davis Scholars Program has suggested to us ways in which we can be even better partners. The generous support of the Davis Foundation has enabled College of the Atlantic to realize our vision of providing a truly exceptional educational opportunity for a multi-nationality, multicultural student body as committed to learning as it is to progress toward a sustainable and just world. Each year we seek to make our partnership even more effective. This is a small way in which we give back to our common cause and follow Shelby Davis's motto of Learn, Earn and Return.
We are currently introducing three new ways to support UWC graduates: support for the UWC Third-Year Option, additional support for UWC graduates who commit to College of the Atlantic but want to spend a year of service before coming to campus, and a new pre-orientation program to assist students who could benefit from additional English language support.
College of the Atlantic has started a language orientation program with the intent of providing additional support for UWC graduates who have exceptional academic qualifications but who may benefit from additional English language practice and writing. This program will be of no additional cost to the students and is a mixture of cultural integration, leadership training and targeted language/writing workshops. As it is offered prior to orientation, invited students can attend and still participate completely in both outdoor orientation and on-campus orientation. We initiated our program in fall 2006. Already, students feel they are better prepared and more integrated into the local community.
The UWC Third-Year Option mirrors COA's educational mission by offering hands-on, interdisciplinary, meaningful learning. We support the UWC program enthusiastically. To augment the services provided by UWC counselors, COA is committed to helping any UWC student find a dedicated third-year placement prior to attending college. We share the UWC belief that through a full year of community service, students are able to put into practice the values and knowledge gained through the United World College education. The service year challenges students to engage fully in a community very different from their own and commit to practical "real world" experience with a variety of established community agencies. At College of the Atlantic we believe that this experience often makes further college studies more meaningful.
This assistance is available to all UWC students, regardless of their future university plans, because COA recognizes the benefit of such additional training and wants to help facilitate global awareness and leadership opportunities in these young scholars.
Students and their counselors interested in placement assistance should contact Jill Barlow-Kelley, Director of the Office of Career and Internship Services at College of the Atlantic. We hope Third-Year Option students take advantage of our numerous connections to NGOs around the world and in the United States, and our many years of advising students on accessing volunteer programs.
Students who have elected to come to COA, but have deferred admission to take advantage of the Third-Year Option, will be welcomed into the College of the Atlantic community with their own email account and access to information (scientific journals, blogs and chat rooms) available through our website. Students will also be assigned immediately to their academic advisors and have access to their full support during the entire year prior to their arrival.
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