Gregor

Meet Gregor, a graduating student whose journey from Romania to UWC Atlantic has been one of transformation, courage, and self-discovery. Born in Germany to Romanian parents from the Transylvanian Saxon minority, Gregor moved back to Romania as a young child. Growing up bilingually and between cultures, he always had a curious mind, often dismantling things just to understand how they worked but opportunities to explore that curiosity felt out of reach.

Thanks to a Shelby Davis Scholarship, Gregor joined UWC Atlantic, where he found a community that encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone and into a world of possibility.

“It’s been an incredible journey, I’ve become more confident, more open. I’m not as anxious as I used to be; coming here helped me become more myself.”

At UWC Atlantic, Gregor took full advantage of everything on offer. He joined the Student Financial Council to give back to the community that supported him. He found a love for bouldering during trips to Cardiff, where he built strength, focus and new friendships.

“Bouldering became one of my favourite activities. It wasn’t just about climbing, it was about learning, pushing limits and doing it with a great group of people.”

For Project Week, Gregor set sail on the Welsh coast, an experience that pushed him far outside his usual environment.

“I never imagined learning to sail. But it was amazing. I grew a lot through it and I’d definitely love to do more sailing in the future.”

Gregor plans to take a gap year in 2025-2026, starting with a solo hike along the Albanian coastline. After that, he hopes to study engineering in Germany, combining his childhood curiosity with real-world ambition.

“I’ve always liked figuring out how things work. Engineering just makes sense to me.”

Reflecting on the impact of his scholarship, Gregor doesn’t hesitate.

“If I could meet Shelby Davis, I’d say thank you. Coming here truly changed my life. The experiences, the people, the education, it wouldn’t have been possible without that support.”

And to anyone considering donating to help future students:

“Please do it. You’re not just supporting someone’s education, you’re changing their whole life. The people you meet here stay with you. The growth, the confidence, the opportunities, they last far beyond two years.”

Gregor's story is one of quiet courage, curiosity and a deep desire to give back. As he prepares to graduate in 2025, he carries with him not just knowledge and skill, but a new sense of self and a vision for what’s possible.