Rogier Frederiks

Rogier is an alumnus of UWC Atlantic from the Class of ‘75 and as he prepares to celebrate his 50-year reunion, he reflects on his awakening and his very personal gifting journey.

"I still remember the day my mother told me about an article she’d just read, this was back in 1968. It described a remarkable international school in South Wales called Atlantic College. A place that combined academic challenge with adventure, service and a unique global spirit. “This sounds like you,” she said. She was right.

Four years later, in 1973, I was lucky enough to be accepted. And, I suspect, she was more than happy to get rid of me for two years! What awaited me wasn’t just an education, it was an awakening.

My time at AC opened my mind in ways I hadn’t imagined. It was there that I first grasped the real meaning of International Understanding. Living, learning and growing alongside students from every corner of the globe made me realise something profound: at that age, regardless of our backgrounds, social, cultural and economic, we are more alike than different. That realisation shaped who I am today.

Now, 50 years later, as I prepare to return for our reunion at UWC Atlantic, I find myself reflecting on why I chose to give back. Yes, it’s deeply personal. The memories I carry from those two years are some of the most formative of my life. But it’s also about looking forward. It’s about giving future generations the chance to experience what I did, regardless of their financial circumstances.