Yener Tuz

I want to have an impact on the world, no matter how small it is

What were your first impressions upon arriving at UWC in Mostar?
When I’d first arrived at my residence, I put my luggage down and picked my room. Then I went out to meet my second-years, since I was the first first-year to arrive in my residence. They were sitting on the balcony, and they introduced themselves one by one. In my first hour at UWC in Mostar I was very confused, it was information overload. Unlike some other places where some people distance themselves from each other, the people here take a friendly approach towards each other, not putting themselves before anybody else.

How did you find out about UWC and why did you apply?
I found about UWC through my third-year, Kağan. His family and my family were close, and he told me about UWC a year before it was time for my application. I was very intrigued after he gave me some general information. Coincidentally, I also saw a poster about UWC in my high school. That was the point where I started considering it seriously, I went on the website, I asked my school about it and I decided to apply. I decided to apply because I wanted to have an influence on the world, I wanted to help make the world a better place. It’s not that I didn’t have the chances in my old school, it’s just that those chances were not so many and so effective as they are at UWC.

What do you enjoy most about life at UWC in Mostar?
The different people. Even though everybody is perfectly able to socialize and make friends, most people think in a very different way. When you spend enough time with them to learn and understand the way they are, and when you compare it to yourself or others; the differences, every kind of differences are stunning.

What’s been the hardest or most challenging part?
The hardest thing for me has been living without my family. I miss them emotionally, but there are other things as well. My family used to help me when I needed something. Now, I need to get it by myself, it can sometimes be challenging.

What activities are you involved in?
I’m in the Environmental Counsel, the Promotion Group and the Adventure Crew. The Environmental Counsel aims to make the school community more environmentally friendly and organises events to raise awareness. The Promotion Group promotes our school and the Adventure Crew organises hikes. Also, for our project week this year we had a clowning workshop in Mostar. Afterwards, we went to Sarajevo to perform, and we did clowning in hospitals for entertainment.

What are your ambitions after you leave UWC in Mostar?
My old high school was a science high school, focusing on maths and sciences more than other subjects. I wanted to be a doctor since the beginning of my old school, however, when I came here I discovered a passion for writing as well. They are very different areas of study, and hopefully time will help me decide. If I ever become a writer in the future, I want to write about topics that the world has been ignoring. I want to have an impact on the world, no matter how small it is.