UWC Mostar

During a University Counselling Department visit to the US, Anja, together with other colleagues from the UWC network went to several UWC Davis partner universities and engaged with their admissions teams and staff.

These visits support our ongoing work with students, from their first year onwards. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, consider different pathways, and gradually shape their plans for life after UWC.

From UWC Mostar to the stage of his university commencement, our alumnus Diego Flores Hernandez continues to grow through curiosity, courage, and community.

After graduating from UWC Mostar in 2022, he joined Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where he pursued a double major in International Affairs and Economics. Alongside his studies, Diego has spent a semester abroad, attended conferences and symposiums, joined clubs outside his main interests, and built meaningful connections across diverse communities.

Reflecting on his time in university, he shares:

“Living in a hyper-individualistic country like the USA showed me the need for living without conforming, for creating my own culture through my actions and expressions of care, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. Furthermore, the resources, opportunities, and friends the college provided me showed me that I want to be tired; I want to experience the world as much as possible until my last breath. Finally, while still trying to fully internalize it, I realized that life is not about what you achieve but rather what you become. Thus, I should take risks; failure will not kill me, but rather require me to become something more.”

Diego reflects on the opportunities and relationships his college environment provided, which helped him embrace a more expansive outlook: to seek experience fully, to accept risk, and to see failure not as an endpoint, but as part of becoming.

In many ways, his journey reflects what we hope for all our graduating students: to move forward with curiosity and continue shaping who they become beyond UWC.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone with him as he graduates and takes on the honor of delivering a commencement speech at his university. ✨

We are still celebrating the Class of 2026! 🎓

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. We’re delighted to share a few moments from the UWC Mostar graduation ceremony.

The ceremony opened with a heartfelt address from our Head of School, Hendrik Willem Flier, who reminded students of the strength they carry within them and the lasting impact they have made here at UWC Mostar. This year’s ceremony was filled with meaningful moments, from student reflections by Elmas Ekinović and Pepe Martinez Rodulfo, to inspiring words from our guest speaker, Ðemila Talić Gabriel.

From their first days at UWC Mostar to this milestone moment, it has been a privilege to watch our students grow into thoughtful, courageous, and compassionate individuals who have helped shape our community over the past two years. As they move forward, we hope they take with them a piece of this place, and of each other, wherever life leads next.

We are incredibly proud of each and every graduate and deeply grateful for the energy, kindness, and spirit they brought to our community.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 💙