Andrea Vella promotes international understanding at UWC Atlantic College

Andrea Vella has been supporting UWC Atlantic College for many years and is actively involved in scholarships to promote the UWC mission: make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

Andrea Vella has a long-standing commitment to the United World College system. As a former student and founding board member of the Italian UWC Foundation, he has been very focused on promoting educational opportunities for young people worldwide.

Andrea Vella has been continuously involved as a donor with UWC Atlantic College in Wales for over 15 years. The former banker, who attended the school himself from 1989 to 1991, has been instrumental in the creation of the Italian UWC foundation when a few years ago a lot of public money was withdrawn from the scholarship fund. Since then, Andrea Vella has contributed to countless scholarships to allow deserving young men and women to attend the UWC. His support for the international educational institution reflects his belief that a peaceful world is possible if people understand each other, and doing that from an early age is very effective.

A school with an extraordinary mission

UWC Atlantic College in Wales is anything but an ordinary boarding school. Founded in the 1960s, the institution pursues an ambitious goal: to promote peace and international understanding through education. Andrea Vella experienced this special atmosphere first-hand when he studied there on a scholarship in the late 1980s.

The school deliberately brings together young people from completely different backgrounds. Refugees from crisis areas sit in classrooms alongside future kings and queens of European countries. This mix is intentional and quite daring. But it clearly works.

Andrea Vella’s time at Atlantic College had a lasting impact on him. The experience of living and learning with people from all over the world left a lasting impression on him. Perhaps this explains his ongoing commitment to this educational philosophy.

Atlantic College was the first school in the United World College network. There are now several UWCs around the world. The list of graduates is impressive:

Politicians and heads of state from various countries
Leading scientists and AI researchers
Astronauts and space pioneers
Artists and entertainment stars

The special pedagogy of the UWC system

What makes the UWC system so special? The schools pursue a holistic approach to education. Academic excellence is important, but it is not everything. Social engagement, intercultural competence and personal development are equally important.

Students take responsibility for community projects. They learn first aid and lifesaving. Many are involved in local aid projects. This practical experience complements the theoretical lessons.

The international composition of the student body is no coincidence. About half of the places are awarded through scholarships. This gives talented young people from all walks of life access to this special educational experience.

Andrea Vella’s ongoing commitment

After graduating, Andrea Vella remained connected to the UWC system. He has been a regular financial supporter of the school for around 15 years. His name appears on a plaque at Atlantic College honouring significant donors.

This support is not limited to occasional financial gifts. Andrea Vella’s banking background at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan probably helps him understand the long-term financial challenges facing the UWC system. Education costs money. Good international education costs a lot of money.

Scholarship support is particularly important to him. Over the years, he has funded several full scholarships. These enable talented young people from Italy and around the world to attend a UWC, even though their families could never afford it.

The Italian UWC Foundation

Andrea Vella contributed to the creation of the Italian UWC Foundation. This non-profit organisation collects donations to enable Italian students to attend UWC on scholarships. The foundation’s work is complex and time-consuming.

Potential scholarship recipients must be identified and evaluated. Donors need to be convinced. The use of funds must be transparently documented. All of this is done on a voluntary basis, of course.

The Italian foundation competes with other national UWC organisations for limited places at the schools. Each country has a certain quota. The selection of scholarship holders is therefore very demanding.

Andrea Vella’s commitment goes beyond mere financial donations. He contributes his time, his network and his expertise. That makes a difference.

The impact of international education

Why would someone invest so much time and money in a boarding school in Wales? Andrea Vella has experienced first-hand how formative international educational experiences can be. Time at UWC broadens horizons.

Young people not only learn foreign languages and subject matter. They develop an understanding of other cultures and ways of thinking.

They form friendships that last for decades. They acquire skills that cannot be found in any curriculum.

These experiences are particularly valuable in an increasingly interconnected world. Global challenges require international cooperation. Those who have learned to work with people from all over the world as teenagers have an advantage later in their professional lives.

Long-term networking effects

The UWC alumni network is impressive. Graduates can be found in leadership positions in politics, business, science and culture. These connections do not arise by chance. They are rooted in shared experiences and values.

Andrea Vella certainly benefits from these network effects. At the same time, he actively gives back. This is typical of many UWC graduates. They see their educational opportunity as an obligation.

Some talk about the ‘UWC spirit’. That sounds dramatic, but there is some truth to it. The school instils the belief that individuals can improve the world. That leaves a lasting impression.

Challenges of scholarship funding

Funding UWC scholarships is an ongoing challenge. A full scholarship costs tens of thousands of euros per year. On top of that come travel costs and personal expenses. For many families, this is unaffordable.

At the same time, it is precisely this financial accessibility that is crucial to the UWC concept. An international school only for wealthy families would defeat its purpose. It’s the mix that makes it work.

Andrea Vella’s ongoing support is therefore invaluable. Regular donors enable long-term planning. Foundations can commit to scholarships for several years. This provides security for everyone involved.

Impact on individual lives

Behind every scholarship statistic is an individual story. A talented girl from a small Italian town gets the chance to receive an international education. A refugee boy can develop his talents despite a difficult family situation.

These personal success stories motivate donors like Andrea Vella. They show concretely how educational support can change lives. This is more than charity. It is social responsibility.

Some scholarship holders later return to their home countries and set up their own educational projects. Others pursue international careers and support the UWC system in turn. The cycle is complete.

Future prospects for UWC’s commitment

The United World College system faces new challenges. The world is becoming more complex, not simpler. At the same time, awareness of the importance of international education is growing.

Andrea Vella is likely to continue his commitment for life. As an experienced financier, investor and businessman, and as an ex-student, he understands the long-term development trends and the challenges faced by a unique organization like the UWC. The UWC system must continue to evolve without abandoning its fundamental principles.

New technologies open up opportunities for digital exchange. Nevertheless, personal encounters between young people from different cultures remain irreplaceable. Some experiences cannot be virtualised.

The demand for UWC places far exceeds supply. This is both gratifying and frustrating. More schools mean higher costs. Larger schools could dilute the special character.

It is the task of individuals who believe in the UWC to resolve these tensions. Andrea Vella’s experience will be needed. Not just his money.