Back on Campus: Mariana and Haroon on Giving Back and Moving Forward
December 12, 2024
Mariana and Haroon, it’s wonderful to have you back on campus! For those who don’t know you yet, could you please introduce yourselves?
Mariana: Gentlemen first. Go ahead, Haroon. Hahaha.
Haroon: My name is Haroon, and I’m from Afghanistan. I’ve been living in the Netherlands for almost ten years now. My family and I arrived in 2015, and I attended UWCM since 2017 as a day student thanks to the Promise Programme scholarship. I graduated in 2019. Currently, I am finishing my MA in European Studies specializing in International Relations at Maastricht University.
Mariana: I’m Mariana, and I’m Portuguese. I first came to the Netherlands to study at UWC when I was 16, and it was my first time being abroad on my own. It had been a dream of mine to study at UWC for a long time. I finally arrived at UWCM in 2018 and graduated in the middle of the global pandemic in 2020. I still live in the Netherlands, in Groningen. I did my bachelor’s at the University of Groningen and am now doing my pre-master’s there, focusing on International Relations.
What brought you back to campus today?
M: We were here as hosts for the fourth United Women Conference organized by the Advancement team. It was an inspirational event for current members of the Female Empowerment Network, and it also encouraged new people to join and sponsor scholarships for girls from the MENA region.
What was yesterday’s United Women Conference like?
H: It was a really interesting and heartfelt event. We started with a very energetic African dance performance, which honestly gave me goosebumps and took me right back to my UWC student days. There were also inspiring, very raw and personal speeches, especially those from two students—one from Palestine and one from Afghanistan were very moving. Their stories were so powerful and will surely stick with the audience for a long time. You could feel so many emotions in the room—people laughing, crying, smiling. It was such a dynamic event; it felt like we were on a journey together. For those who didn’t attend, I’d definitely recommend joining next year!
M: For me, the student speeches were the highlight. I’ve been to other conferences since leaving UWC, but there’s something so special about storytelling—especially stories told from the heart. We hear statistics on the news all the time, but putting a face to a story makes all the difference. It pushes you to stop, think, and figure out how you can help.
What’s it like for you both to be back on campus?
M: It was very emotional. I was biking here, and I passed the same spot where I walked with my mom on my first day at UWC. So nostalgic! When I arrived in Maastricht on Wednesday, I was so excited and a little nervous, but as soon as you see the first person and they give you a hug, it’s like you never left. Everyone was genuinely interested in how I’m doing, what I’m studying, and it was so heartwarming. It still feels like home, even though it’s changed so much.
H: I’ve stayed in Maastricht after graduating from UWCM, so I come back more often. I’ve been here three times in the past two months—once to help with arrivals, then for UWC Day and to meet the new Head of College, and now for the United Women Conference. It’s such a pleasure to be able to give back in these different ways.
What motivates you both to give back to the UWC movement?
M: Like I said earlier, coming to UWC was a dream of mine, and while my time here wasn’t all smooth—it was more of a rollercoaster ride—it’s important to me to give back. Being involved with UWC is inspiring. It’s magical to be around UWC students. The positive energy and diversity give you back some of the idealism that can get lost in day-to-day life. Reconnecting with UWC makes me feel confident again in saying that my mission is to make the world a better place—without feeling childish or naïve.
H: UWC made me who I am today. It changed my life academically, personally, and socially. I have a special connection to this place and the people here, and it’s important for me to stay connected. This is my home, and I’m always welcomed here. UWC will always have a special place in my heart.
What advice do you have for alumni who want to reconnect with UWC and find their own way to give back?
M: Start by sending an email to alumni@uwcmaastricht.nl and let them know you want to get involved! You never know what might come out of it. They can connect you with people in your area, other colleges, or NCs. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
H: There are so many ways to give back. You can connect with programmes like Youth Social Entrepreneurship, a CAS experience, or any student-led initiatives. If you work on a project or with an NGO, see if UWC students can get involved during their service, project week, or the NL Doet, the annual service day. If you’re near a UWC college anywhere in the world, reach out and see if there’s a way to help. Or contact the national committee in the country where you live. It doesn’t matter if you were a day student, GSP or selected by a different NC — what matters is your willingness to give back.
M: And of course, you can always give back financially. The percentage of alumni giving back shows how much we believe in the education we received. We’re the best ambassadors to show potential donors that we care about the UWC experience. Even small donations go a long way. I’m definitely planning to give back, especially knowing that students directly benefit from the support.
