Ferequently asked question
Yes, Embodying Earth is officially a UWC Short Course. We have received endorsement from UWC International and have completed trainings to uphold the standards of a UWC program. Information on Embodying Earth can also be found on the UWC website.
Embodying Earth: A UWC Short Course is a collaboration between the UWC Short Course organizers, the Nui Tuong Community, the Vietnamese Community of Integral Living, and New York University Shanghai. Throughout the program, participants will be supported daily by a team of 6-8 facilitators. Our facilitators come from different countries and have varied backgrounds in education and sustainability, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise.
Embodying Earth: a UWC Short Course is a hybrid program.
30 June - 3 July: Participants will spend the first four days of the program getting acquainted with the facilitators and learning about the current landscape of the climate crisis through online programming.
4 July - 12 July: Participants will meet in Đồng Nai and go through an immersive on land learning experience, featuring guided workshops, hands-on learning, local sustainability experts, and contemplative nature practices.
August - October:Participants will alternate between online 1-1 mentorship sessions and small group workshops, through which they will develop personal climate action projects.
Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 20 of the first day of the program which is June 30, 2025 although participants who are 15 or 21 can also be considered on a case-by-case basis and should email embodyingearth@uwc.vn for consideration;
As part of our evolving approach, we are focusing this year on participants from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia (see this list of eligible countries). This decision allows us to build stronger regional networks, improve accessibility for participants, and ensure program feasibility while we evaluate opportunities for future expansion;
Participants are healthy and can participate in outdoor activities;
As the program will be conducted primarily in English, participants should have a strong command of the English language;
Participants coming from abroad should have a valid passport and visa to enter and stay in Vietnam for the entire duration of the program.
As the program will be conducted entirely in English, participants should have a good command of the English language (intermediate or advanced speaking, writing, listening and reading skills).
All participants admitted are expected to participate in the whole Short Course. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept participants who can only attend part of the program.
There will be 4 required short questions about the applicant’s motivation to participate in Embodying Earth, along with 1 optional case study question.
Applicants are also expected to upload a letter of reference. For those applying for financial aid, a financial aid statement is also required.
Applications for the Short Course must be completed in English.
The final deadline to submit the application is March 31, 2025 at 23:59 Vietnam time (GMT+7). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Short Course fee is 1750 USD. This fee covers domestic transportation, meals, accommodation, and excursions, but not flights or medical insurance.
Yes, both full and partial financial aid packages are offered on a limited basis to participants. The financial aid can be applied to the program tuition, but not to the costs of transportation to/from the course or medical insurance.
Tuition is due on May 2, 2025, 23:59 Vietnam time (GMT+7) for admitted participants. Failure to submit payment on time will cause the release of the participant's placement to other qualifying participants on the program’s waitlist.
The Nui Tuong Community, which we’ve partnered with to provide sustainable room and board, consists of sleeping areas, activity areas, and a dining area. The sleeping areas are single-sex (male and female participants are housed separately), with multiple participants sharing each room. UWC Facilitators will also live on site and will be available to assist participants at all times.
Participants are allowed to use electronic devices at specific times of the program. We encourage parents/guardians to check in with their child during these times. Parents/guardians may also contact the organizing team at any point during the program if they need to get in touch with their child urgently.
Participants will be picked up by UWC facilitators from central transit points in Ho Chi Minh City, such as Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, and taken directly to the course site via van or bus.
All participants will live in single-sex blocks, further separated by age range (under 18 or over 18). Participants will be mixed by age, grade and nationality. We seek to encourage cross-cultural understanding through interaction, and thus participants will not be permitted to have single rooms, and all participants will have roommates.
For safety reasons, participants are not allowed to bring outside food and snacks onto the camp premises. All meals and snacks will be vegetarian and will be provided; their costs are included in the program fee. If participants have special dietary restrictions, please make sure to include this formation on the application form or send us an email.
Lead program organizers have undergone UWC-quality safety trainings to ensure they are able to assist participants in case of an emergency. We’ve also located the nearest medical centers from the program site: Tân Phú General Hospital (15KM from the venue) and Định Quán Area General Hospital (30km from the venue). In the case of an injury or if a participant falls ill, there will be staff available to take the participant to the hospital.
There will be specific times during the program when participants are permitted to use electronic devices. During activities, workshops, and excursions, we will implement a no-electronics policy.
Outside of the online components of the program, participants will not need a computer or tablet. Participants are asked to not bring electronic devices besides their cellphones and cellphone accessories and are solely responsible for the safekeeping of all their belongings. The program organizers will not be held accountable for any items lost or stolen.
Aside from on-site activities, participants will have the chance to go on excursions around Đồng Nai and might want to make personal purchases (eg. souvenirs), so extra spending money is not required but suggested. Participants are responsible for the safekeeping of all their personal belongings (including extra spending money) throughout the duration of the program.
Embodying Earth: A UWC Short Course may be canceled if there are risks of a natural disaster or other unforeseeable events that make it unsafe to hold the program.
If Embodying Earth: A UWC Short Course cancels the program, we will refund your full tuition.
Participants will receive a full refund if they inform us of their intent to cancel before May 7, 23:59 Vietnam time (GMT+7). Cancellations made after this time will not be refunded. Please send us an email at embodyingearth@uwc.vn to cancel.
If, after carefully reviewing this FAQ, your question is still unanswered, you can email embodyingearth@uwc.vn. Please allow 2-3 working days for our reply.
