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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, Embodying Earth is officially a United World Colleges Short Course. We have received endorsement from UWC International and have completed trainings to uphold the standards of a UWC program. Information about Embodying Earth can also be found on the UWC website.
Embodying Earth is a collaboration between the UWC Short Course organizers and the Nui Tuong ecological community. Throughout the program, participants will be supported daily by a team of 4-6 facilitators. Our facilitators come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have experience and expertise in both transformative education and sustainability.
While sustainability often focuses on maintaining balance and reducing harm, regeneration goes further by considering how we might create the conditions for all life to thrive over the long term.
Regenerative leadership is a holistic and relational way of leading that supports the resilience and wellbeing of people, communities, and the planet. It's an approach that weaves together humility, ecological wisdom, deep collaboration, adaptive thinking, and one’s unique life story to support life-sustaining cultures and systems.
The program begins on July 6, 2026 and ends on July 14, 2026.
Eligible applicants must be:
Between the ages of 15 and 17 during the program (born between July 15, 2008 and July 6, 2011);
Participants are healthy and can participate in outdoor activities;
As the program will be conducted primarily in English, participants should be comfortable communicating in English;
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 mostly in English, participants should have intermediate or advanced speaking, listening, and reading skills.
All participants admitted are expected to participate in the whole program. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept participants who can only attend part of the program.
The application form includes 6 questions about the applicant's relationship with nature, climate experiences, embodied practices, and intentions for participating in Embodying Earth.
Those who wish to apply for financial aid need to also fill out the financial aid assessment section.
Applications must be completed in English.
There are three application rounds with different deadlines:
Super Early Bird – February 28, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+7
Early Bird – March 15, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+7
Regular – April 15, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+7
Rolling admissions after April 15 until the program reaches capacity
Important: If we reach capacity during the Super Early Bird or Early Bird rounds, we may close applications early. We strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible to secure your spot!
We will announce on our website and social media when we reach capacity and close the application form.
Applicants will receive their admission decision by the following dates:
Super Early Bird applicants (deadline February 28, 2026): Results by March 7, 2026
Early Bird applicants (deadline March 15, 2026): Results by March 30, 2026
Regular applicants (deadline April 15, 2026): Results by April 30, 2026
All participants will know before May 8, 2025 at 23:59 Vietnam Time (GMT +7) whether they have been admitted.
The program will cost $1,650 for applications submitted before the Super Early Bird deadline (February 28, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+7).
The program will cost $1,850 for applications submitted before the Early Bird deadline (March 15, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+7).
The program will cost $2,050 for all applications received after the Early Bird deadline.
The fee covers all program costs such as tuition, transportation, meals, accommodation during the program.
However, it does not cover travel to or from Ho Chi Minh City (where participants will be picked up) or medical insurance.
Yes, financial aid packages are available on a limited basis. Please note that financial aid applies only to program tuition—it does not cover travel to and from the course or medical insurance.
We do not currently offer 100% financial aid packages, but will do our best to make the program accessible to you.
To secure your spot in the program, you will first need to pay a deposit before the full tuition deadline.
All admitted applicants will receive an email with their specific payment deadlines and detailed instructions.
Please understand that not submitting the deposit on time may mean your place will be released to people on the waiting list.
The Nui Tuong ecological community is a sustainable homestay that has sleeping areas, a large meditation hall, learning studios, an organic herb and fruit garden, 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.
While this program is generally device-free, 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 private bus.
All participants will live in single-sex rooms.
Rooms will have participants of different ages and nationalities. We seek to encourage intercultural friendships through shared living, and so all participants will have roommates.
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 information when applying.
For safety reasons, participants are not allowed to bring outside food and snacks onto the camp premises.
Generally, this program is device-free. However, there will be specific times every few days when participants are permitted to use electronic devices.
Computers and tablets are not required for program activities. To encourage full engagement and mindfulness, we actually ask participants to leave laptops and tablets at home. Mobile phones and their accessories (chargers, headphones) are permitted, but as noted above, can only be used at specific times.
Participants are solely responsible for the safekeeping of all their belongings. The program organizers are not liable for lost items.
Extra spending money is suggested but not required.
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).
Participants are responsible for the safekeeping of all their personal belongings (including extra spending money) throughout the duration of the program.
Our program organizers have undergone UWC safety and risk management trainings so they are able to assist participants in case of an emergency. There is also a local community clinic just a few minutes away from Nui Tuong.
In the case of a more serious injury or if a participant falls ill, participants will be taken to a nearby hospital. There will be both English and Vietnamese-speaking staff present to accompany participants.
The nearest hospitals from the program site are Tân Phú General Hospital (15km from Nui Tuong) and Định Quán Area General Hospital (30km from Nui Tuong).
Embodying Earth may be canceled if there is insufficient enrollment or if there are risks (like extreme weather events) that make it unsafe to hold the program.
If Embodying Earth is canceled, we will refund your full tuition.
Participants who pay their deposit will receive a full refund if they notify us of their intent to cancel within 2 weeks of paying their deposit.
Participants who cancel more than 2 weeks after deposit receipt but before 23:59 May 10, 2026 (Vietnam time, GMT+7) are eligible for a 50% refund of all fees paid.
Cancellations made after May 10, 2026 are not eligible for a refund.
To cancel your participation, please email us at embodyingearth@uwc.vn .
If, after reviewing this FAQ, you still have a question, please email embodyingearth@uwc.vn and allow a few working days for our reply!
