Dreaming Beyond Limits: Balsam’s Inspiring UWC Experience

December 11, 2024

Balsam, a 17-year-old student from Sudan, has been at UWC Maastricht for just three months, but she explained that her experience has already been life-changing.

Arriving at UWC, Balsam found more than just a school – she found a family, as she describes it. Surrounded by students from diverse backgrounds, she felt empowered by a community that shared her values of care, understanding and empathy.  

She has faced challenges most of us can only imagine. Her life was forever changed by the war in her home country, forcing her to put her education on hold for over a year. Yet, even in the darkest moments, she never stopped dreaming. When she discovered UWC, a school whose values mirrored her hopes for a better future, she knew she had found her path forward. “Imagine all your dreams, the places you love, and your hopes being taken away in an instant,” Balsam shares. “I carried the pain of my country with me, but UWC taught me how to transform that pain into power.” 

Some students had endured similar hardships, while others were eager to listen and learn. “Even if others haven’t experienced war, they’re open to hearing my story. That empathy makes it easier for me to share,” she explains. 

In just three months, Balsam has grown in ways she never imagined. She has embraced UWC’s holistic approach to education, which combines academics, emotional and physical well-being, and the transformative CAS program. “I’m doing things I never thought possible — climbing mountains, feeling snow for the first time, and even speaking at conferences about global issues in English,” she shares with a smile. 

Her message to others is one of resilience and hope: “Never set limits for yourself. Try new things and don’t fear mistakes — they’re part of growth. A few years ago, I couldn’t have imagined achieving what I’m doing now. But I’ve learned we’re capable of far more than we believe.” 

To future UWC students, Balsam offers this advice: “It’s worth it. Every late night, every challenge, every ounce of effort is worth it. UWC is a place where you’ll find belonging, inspiration, and opportunities to change the world.” 

Balsam dreams of returning to Sudan to help rebuild her country and spread security all over the world. “I want to provide help to those who need it and create safe spaces for others,” she says. “That’s what UWC has taught me — to carry hope wherever I go.”