Empowering Young Changemakers Through Education
Our Joint Mission
At the heart of UWC Costa Rica’s success lies the enduring commitment of the Grieg Foundation. More than a donor, the Foundation is a catalyst of our mission, driving our shared dedication to educational equity and youth empowerment. This powerful collaboration secures a legacy where values and vision merge, giving the next generation of changemakers a purpose-driven opportunity to become the leaders our world urgently needs.
Genesis of UWC Costa Rica: A Foundational Story
The Grieg Foundation’s commitment to Latin America runs deep, dating back to before UWC Costa Rica even existed. Initially, their support focused on the former Herman Gmainer SOS International School. This experience solidified a clear truth: strategic investment in youth potential is more effective than temporary solutions. Their shared vision led the transformation in 2006, when the school became UWC Costa Rica, adopting an educational model that prioritizes diversity and cultivates in young people the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet — learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime.
A Place for Belonging: Securing the Campus
The Grieg Foundation has become a cornerstone of this transformation, supporting various areas including infrastructure and scholarship funding. A crucial milestone was the donation of the current campus land in Santa Ana in 2015, securing the physical base for our work. Today, UWC Costa Rica is a place where diversity thrives, hosting students from 71 nationalities and welcoming young people from over 120 countries since 2006.
“Receiving the Grieg Scholarship has been life-changing; it allowed me to overcome personal challenges, discover my potential, and grow in a diverse, supportive community.” — Natali ‘25 from Mexico.
“This opportunity given to me by the Grieg Foundation changed my life in countless ways. It is a transformative process that can completely change the future of many children and teenagers who never expected to earn a high school diploma in a foreign country and have the chance to study at a university in the United States.”
— Zabdiel ’25, Guatemala
Scholarships and Infrastructure
The Grieg Foundation Scholars Program, initiated in 2019, is the latest expression of this long-standing commitment, with a total investment exceeding USD 1.9 million. These resources have provided full scholarships to 35 students from 14 countries, including young people from SOS Children’s Villages. In 2025, the Foundation renewed its support, enabling 9 new scholars from Latin America and reaffirming its lasting legacy in Costa Rica and across the region.
The Foundation also supports the campaign to build UWC Costa Rica’s new campus and Sustainability and Innovation Center. This initiative empowers young people to become conscious global citizens committed to peace and sustainability. The campus will offer inclusive, action-oriented education, feature cutting-edge sustainable infrastructure, and serve as a living laboratory for conservation across 96 acres — ensuring long-term impact for future generations.
“The Grieg Scholarship gives students like me an opportunity to explore more parts of the country and connect with other people, emphasizing empathy and growth above all.”
—María José ‘25 from Costa Rica.
Making a Difference for Society and Young People
Thanks to our decades-long alliance and the foundational support of the Grieg Foundation, UWC Costa Rica has successfully impacted more than 1,500 graduates to date. The Grieg Foundation’s infrastructure and scholarship donations have made a direct and lasting impact on the lives of many students and their families, giving them real opportunities to access transformative education.
Without this support, financial barriers would have made it difficult—if not impossible—for these students to pursue such life-changing experiences.
For many scholarship recipients, this opportunity represents the first time leaving their countries, experiencing the vast geographic and socioeconomic diversity present at UWC Costa Rica, and getting access to high-quality educational opportunities that open doors for their future. An example of this transformative journey is that of Marco Valsania ‘21 (Bolivia). He earned his IB Diploma at UWC Costa Rica in 2021 and then continued his studies at Claremont McKenna College in California, USA, focusing on Economics and Data Science. He maintained a 3.99 GPA while gaining vast professional experience in data, finance, and consulting through prestigious internships (e.g., McKinsey, EY, Bank of America). He took on leadership roles, co-founded the Claremont Accelerator, and co-presided over the International Latino Association and Pocket Fund. His work spans cleantech consulting, civic leadership (as a Moonshot Fellow), and policy research, reflecting diverse analytical and entrepreneurial skills. Today, he works as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company.
“I cannot look back and recognize the person I was before coming to this amazing place. To be honest, I don’t even know if I would get along with that person. So I wanted to thank you once again for having offered me the possibility to explore different ways of thinking and being. I cannot imagine what would have been of my life had I stayed in Bolivia.”
—Marco ‘21 from Bolivia
Eyleen Menchú is another living example that opportunities must be taken when they arise. Coming from Guatemala, she graduated from UWC Costa Rica in 2021. After her graduation, Eyleen pursued Politics and Hispanic Studies at Whitman College on a Davis UWC Scholarship. As the first in her family to earn a college degree, she led campus groups, studied in South Korea, and served on planning committees. Her passion for her Mayan Indigenous roots led to a research trip to Peru, during which she staged the play Camasca and interviewed the audience. This experience affirmed her pride in her heritage, realizing she is "part of something bigger" and that she represents the people she serves.
“The Grieg Scholarship gives students like me with financial deficits the confidence to learn and grow in this environment. Children from all backgrounds deserve quality education, and the Grieg Scholarship makes it a reality.”
— Deepa ’25, Nepal
These two examples show that, guided by empathy and reciprocity, Grieg Scholars have advanced not only through their journeys at UWC but also beyond, gaining admission to top universities (St. Olaf College, Carleton College, Earth University, among others) and applying their talents in fields ranging from Data Science and Software Engineering to Agriculture and Neuroscience. They also remain deeply committed to creating positive change in their communities. The Grieg Foundation’s vision continues to affirm that educational equity is one of the most powerful drivers of social transformation.
“I take with me the great responsibility and aspiration to be an agent of change for my family, community, and consequently the whole world.”
—Ivan ‘23 from the Dominican Republic.
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