UWC Adriatic

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Welcome to the official page of UWC Adriatic - Collegio del Mondo Unito dell'Adriatico ETS. All students also study Italian.

Our school brings together over 180 students from 90 different countries to make education a force to unite people. UWC Adriatic brings together 180 students from around the world for the final two years of their high school education. Inspired by the ideas of the German educationalist Kurt Hahn, the UWC movement aspires to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Established in 1982, UWC Adriatic is located in the Italian/Slovene village of Duino/Devin, in north-eastern Italy, 16 km from the city of Trieste. Long a crossroad, the choice of location was deliberate as a meeting point of the Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures. What better place to locate the first United World College outside the English-speaking world and to work towards intercultural understanding. Life at our 100% residential school can be demanding and we are convinced, transformational. Living in rooms of 2, 3 or 4 students in one of our 7 residences scattered throughout the village, co-curricular life is at the heart of the UWC Adriatic experience, with a particular emphasis on service to others.

80% of our students are non-native English speakers yet all study towards the full International Baccalaureate diploma in English. With all our teachers living in the village as well and acting as personal and residence tutors, we are a very tight knit community.UWC Adriatic offer students from all around the world the opportunity to develop international understanding through a programme which combines high quality academic study and activities that encourage personal initiative and social responsibility. Selections are carried out by national committees and selection partners throughout the world who look for applicants of promise and potential – those who are committed to making a difference in their communities and the world. The result is a truly diverse school population both culturally and socio-economically. We are committed to making every opportunity accessible to all our students.

14/10/2026

To all the memories, laughs, classes, tutorial meetings, dances and dinners together. It was incredible to welcome our early staff and alumni for a wonderful appreciation weekend, and we were especially honoured to have with us Elisabeth Sutcliffe, wife of our first Rettore.

We started from the very beginning of our school, by remembering those who dared to build this College, the first UWC school in a non-English speaking country, in a conversation led by David Wilkinson, our founding Deputy Head.

Andrew Maclehose (our former teacher, founding Dean of UWC USA) and our Secretary General Valentina Bach then invited us to reflect on how UWC was born out of past crisis and why it matters in today's. To conclude, the Executive Director of UWC, Faith Abiodun, and our Rettore Marco Gemelli asked us to reimagine the future of our school and of the UWC movement.

One of our alumni, shared in the session that “After years, my friendships are enough to say that we made a difference”. It may sound cheesy to some, but it stayed with us, because our community starts with the bonds people build here, and those bonds are the foundation for everything we will create next.

This weekend, like so many moments at UWC Adriatic, was possible only thanks to our community. A special thank you to our alumni Dhakshi Ravishankar (UWC Adriatic 1990-92) and Rupesh Pradhan (UWC Adriatic 1989-91), whose time, energy and care brought everyone back together.

To all staff and alumni, thank you for coming back. You shaped our school and you will always be part of it, as we feel what you have built in every stairwell, every shared meal and every student who, years after years, calls Duino home.

13/10/2026

Leaving home to start almost anew in a new country makes it all the more important to know the history and cultural context of the place where you live. That is why we offer "Cultural Trips": one-day journeys to visit cities nearby and immerse in the culture we live in.

Some weeks ago, our students set off on a cultural trip to Udine and Cividale with Laura Bulletti, our fantastic Italian teacher who organises all our cultural trips.

By the end of the day, maybe our students did not speak fluent Friulano, but they had learnt a great deal about the history and culture of the region they now call home. It’s thanks to outings like this that we are reminded that belonging begins with curiosity and understanding.

Pictures by: Daria (UWC Adriatic 2025-27)

12/10/2026

A space where students, staff and duinesi can meet. A place of dialogue and friendship. A new path.

On 4 October, we inaugurated Ples Park for Peace, the new green beside our residence Ples, with our choir singing "Una fresca bavisela" and our Presidente Roberto Antonione joining students on the guitar (yes, it was a moment we will not forget).

The historic Hotel Ples and its gardens belong to the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and have been available to UWC Adriatic since 1994. Today, they are open them to all residents and visitors, a shared space for the whole community to enjoy. There is even an open air gym!

At the inauguration, our Rettore Marco Gemelli, shared, “Every student who studies here develops a deep affection and gratitude for this village and its community. What they learn from Duino is as much a part of their UWC education as what they learn in our classrooms.”

This park wouldn’t have been possible without our alumnus Darren Huston (UWC Adriatic 1983-85), the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Comune di Duino Aurisina, Marco Leghissa and Duino's local community for their vision and support. A special thank you goes as well to the Jus SV, with Vladi Mervic (known as Pupo), who cleaned the space before the event and also takes care of the green of our beloved Duino.

11/10/2026

"Buon vento" to the 58th Barcolana, to new beginnings and to the start of a new academic year! To our students who headed to Trieste to see the Deep Blue exhibition and the sailing boats up close, and to those who squinted from Duino to catch a glimpse of the sails on the horizon.

10/10/2026

Whoever told you that our school is "only about the Arts" most likely did not know how much space we give to the sciences.

While the Arts play a huge role in our education at UWC Adriatic, the sciences are also at its core. The Ocean Research Challenge is a great example. Our first year students worked tirelessly to develop solutions to real life problems affecting the Adriatic Sea.

Now, their work is on display in Piazza Unità d'Italia, in Trieste, at the Deep Blue exhibition space!

09/10/2026

"My first question to my colleagues was ‘What motivates you?’, and every single member of staff identified working with our students as their main motivation, the possibility of having a positive impact on their lives. I have never found such a strong unity of intent in other settings, and I thought it would be good to remind us all of this today, in our Opening Ceremony."
-Marco Gemelli, Rettore of UWC Adriatic

This year’s Opening Ceremony at Palazzo Regione dei Congressi of the Comune di Grado was truly memorable. It’s not everyday that you get to celebrate the beginning 45 Academic Year with 187 students of over 80 nationalities.

In some ways, we honoured the past with this ceremony, as our students have organised wonderful dances and performances and celebrated their UWC national committees in the parade of people, nations and cultures. Yet, this time we also reimagined the event, welcoming alumni from the first generations and staff who shaped the early years of the College, on Teacher's Day no less.

Let the 45th Academic Year of UWC Adriatic officially begin!

photoraphs by Alessandro S. Liverani

01/10/2026

The SEE Youth Forum by South East Europe Observatory was the perfect space to learn how we make decisions, bringing together professionals and young people to exchange ideas and shape a shared vision for the future.

“My favourite topic was political education, because I relate to it deeply. I feel that when we vote for the first time, we tend to just vote for whoever our parents vote for, without really knowing why. It's important to choose, research and critically think about the people who can represent us and help us with our issue. I must say that overall, I enjoyed the workshop very much, because it was a wonderful opportunity to express my ideas, as well as precious time spent with people who included me and provided a safe environment.”

Neža, UWC Adriatic 2026-28

29/09/2026

🇮🇹 Oltre dieci anni, alla ricerca della verità. La sentenza della Corte d'Assise di Roma di ieri è un passo, il più grande fatto finora, verso quella verità che la famiglia di Giulio e il popolo giallo chiedono da un decennio.

Anche per noi a UWC Adriatic, questo passo non è la fine del percorso. Giulio continua a fare cose e vive in ogni "Verità e Giustizia per Giulio”, nelle panchine gialle, nel film “Giulio Regeni - tutto il male del mondo” negli studenti e nel Giardino dei Giusti a lui dedicato a Duino. Siamo accanto a Paola, Claudio e Irene, oggi come lo siamo sempre stati in questi dieci anni. La ricerca della verità si costruisce giorno dopo giorno, con chi continua a chiedere, senza arrendersi.

25/09/2026

Some wonderful pictures from our UWC Day celebrations in Udine, at the Loggia del Lionello. Thank you to everyone who joined us from all over Friuli for and afternoon filled with poems, Bolivian, Slovak and Polish dances and songs from our very own choir, bringing together our community and friends.

We are truly greatful to Comune Di Udine for having us and to Marta Vuch and Christoph Genz for organising the event and supporting our students during their performances!

Indirizzo

Frazione Duino, 29, Duino-Aurisina TS
Duino
34011

Telefono

+390403739111

Sito Web

http://www.uwcad.it/

Notifiche

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