On Reevaluating the Impact of UWC Experience and on Science that Meets Creativity

As a tribute to UWC Dilijan, our alumni share their personal stories and tell us where they are now, where they are heading to and what the college has to do with all of that.

Javier (Sanchez Bautista) from Spain (UWCD’16) is a member of the founding generation of UWC Dilijan students. He is now holding a Bachelor of Science degree from UCL, where he will start his academic career as a PhD student doing biomedical research.

My life has changed completely after graduation. So many things have happened. First of all, I received a scholarship from Scholae Mundi Foundation[1], which has allowed me to come and study in London. UCL was this brand new environment, where my passion for science has really bloomed. Spending my summers in a lab, learning to implement my knowledge into real life through the research and most importantly, doing what I love, have solidified my decision to follow the path of academia.


It is funny, but I still remember my chemistry classes at UWC Dilijan and how Dimitrina, my chemistry teacher there, would stand next to me in a lab, literally teaching me how to use a pipette. I remember working on my EE and trying to design my own experiment from scratch, learning to be creative and innovative, thinking critically, being efficient - everything what science is about. When I reflect on it now, I realize how much I have learned back then and how valuable those early experiences with science were for shaping my future.

UWC experience is not universal - it will be different for everyone. It is challenging and at times difficult. But having all the different venues to experiment, being exposed to all the opportunities handed to you at that certain age when you learn so much about yourself and others - this is what, I believe, makes it such a beautiful environment.

Through my research and lab work, I hope to find new treatments that will have clinical impact in the future. And this is how I see my contribution to the (UWC) mission: when within the scope of your own field, no matter big or small, your skills and knowledge are used for any cause others can benefit from - this is what UWC mission is for me.



[1] Foundation co-founded by Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend to support the UWC Dilijan graduates to study in the UK, Europe and Asia