Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more

General Facts

Do I need to speak English or Hindi?

English is the medium of instruction on campus. As students living in an English-speaking environment, you will have many opportunities to improve their language skills. If you are uncomfortable with your linguistic skills, contact the college and they will inform you about the Intensive English Course that takes place a week before the arrival of First Years.

The regional languages are Hindi and Marathi. Familiarity with either of the languages is important as part of your community services. So, all first years are required to take a compulsory Hindi or Marathi classes in the first semester of MUWCI. There would be no Language AB classes during this time.

What subjects do I take?

It is generally a good idea to give a thought to the subjects you may be interested in taking for the IB diploma. However, you don't have to decide your subject choices prior to your arrival, as you will get an opportunity to learn about the subjects during your first few weeks in college. The academic fairs organized during the orientation week are designed to inform you on the various subjects offered by the college. If you have any further queries feel free to ask the respective faculty members. The two weeks that follow the orientation week are open for taking subjects that interest you. You are encouraged to use this opportunity to explore the subjects that you would want to continue for IB.

Are textbooks provided?

All textbooks specific to the course are given on loan to the students. No textbooks are required to be brought from home. However, before coming, you should make sure that the college has a dictionary in your language proving you the English translation and vice versa. The school also provides you with a TI- graphical calculator. Please bear in mind that the materials on loan are school properties and you would be charged at the end of MUWCI if these are lost or damaged. A limited supply of files, paper, a pen, a pencil will be provided upon arrival but you will have to make your own purchases of stationary during the course of the two years.

What are the teachers like?

The student-teacher relationship is a very casual in the campus. If you happen to be struggling with Shakespeare, your English teacher may meet you at the Coffee shop to discuss 'Macbeth'! Student and faculty houses lie in close proximity in a Wada and there is a lot of scope to continue interaction with teachers beyond the classrooms. The close relations between the student and the faculty contribute to your learning process at MUWCI.

What is the orientation week?

Your first week in School is the orientation week, during which no classes take place. The students are encouraged to participate in activities that help them socialize with each other and orient themselves in campus life. Each first year is assigned a second year 'buddy', who helps you adjust to the new environment. The first week in MWUCI is a fun filled time. As freshman you are given the time not only to meet the batch but are also introduced with the academics and triveni programme. You would also be running a rather busy schedule in mornings filling for residence permit and medical checkups. Through group games and hiking trips you would get to know more people. At the end of the week, as a tradition, the first and second years each stage performance shows.

What is project week?

Project week is a ten-day break that you get in each of the first and the second terms of the School year, where you get an opportunity to travel around India and take part in Community Interaction (CI). The project week at the first term of MUWCI is a compulsory CI week. The list of places would be sent to you before your arrival at MUWCI. So fill in your first three preferences before you come! Traveling by air is not allowed during project weeks so that the students can have a real feel of the country.

What happens during the winter break?

The college is closed for the winter break in December. If you are unable to either go home or find accommodation during the break, you must inform the college well in advance before your arrival, as the college will make every effort to find a host family or NGOs for you to spend the winter break. For many students the winter break is an opportunity to travel around India and get to know the country better. It is advised that you get yourself medically insured before you leave campus.

Triveni or CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)

Triveni in Hindi literally means the confluence of rivers. It is an integral part of your IB diploma and life here. All the triveni activities host introductory session in the orientation week. You are required to take one community service, campus service, action (sports) and creativity (art, dance etc) and the hours involved count towards CAS credit. One activity in the four distinctions is "core" where attendance and involvement is imperative every week.

How is the weather?

When you arrive in September, it is the end of monsoon in campus. The monsoon season will be over by October but the weather is still warm and humid. You can expect occasional thunderstorms in April and May. The monsoon period lasts from mid June to late September. The weather between October to March is pleasant. (Max 32°C Min 12°C). The summers are very hot and dry, usually lasting from late March to June. The coldest period of the year is between December and January when night temperatures fall as low as 20-15 °C and have a daily maximum of 27°C.

What kind of clothes should I bring?

There is no School uniform. You should carry some warm clothing for the winter months, and Project Weeks (trekking boots may come in handy) in North India. You should carry some rainwear for the monsoon. We suggest that you bring formal clothing for special occasions and national dresses. You should be culturally sensitive when you dress (only one piece bathing suits are advised).

What about medical treatment and insurance?

The college covers the cost of medical services including hospitalization during the term. However, the college does not cover the cost of dental and ophthalmic services. The college has the full time services of a resident doctor, nurse and an ambulance. The college doctor runs the medical center where minor surgery can be carried out. Major illnesses or accidents are treated by specialist hospitals in Pune. As per the Indian law, oversees students have to take an HIV test shortly after their arrival. The college arranges for this test during the orientation week. There is always a nurse at the medical centre to take care of emergencies.

Living at Mahindra UWC

What is the accommodation like?

The residential area comprises of four Wadas. Each Wada accommodates about 48 students. There are 11 houses in each Wada (including faculty houses). Each house has two rooms, each room accommodating four students, and shower facilities. There is a common room in every Wada with two automatic washing machines and a dryer (only for the rainy season), cooking facility, a microwave, an oven and a refrigerator. Students are responsible for their laundry (they don't have to pay to use the machines) and have to buy their own washing powder. They are asked to bring their own toiletries, towels and laundry bags. The college provides bed sheets, pillows and blankets.

Student Visitors are allowed during the daytime but from midnight to 7 a.m. the rooms are strictly private.

My House

Housing allocation is done randomly. The residence is separate from the academic area. There are equal numbers of girls and boys houses, about 3 in each Wada. Your house consists of two rooms and you would share a room with three others. Each house has a spacious courtyard, a storeroom, two shower rooms and toilets and a dressing area. Usually we have house dinner parties for the house members. So be sure to initiate one!

What is the food like?

The school cafeteria provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (during break time in working days) to students. The food served is mostly Indian but it also caters to continental tastes. There is generally an Indian and a non-Indian dish served for all meals, catering to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Food is also a big part of your cultural experience in MUWCI. At religious and festive occasions the café arranges for the special delicacies. You can also suggest special menus for celebrating the traditions from your country to the food committee.

Where can I hang out with my friends?

The coffee shop in the social center is a popular spot where students go to enjoy a pizza, and get your daily doses of junk food ( if you get bored with the café food), to play pool or just to chat. There is also a television, which shows news/sports/movie channels. Coffee shop is run by the catering service in the campus. The Dukaan is a student run shop that opened in 2007 to "end the monopoly of the coffee shop". These stores make the lazy evenings in campus the centre hub of socializing.

The college offers many sports facilities. There is a swimming pool, a badminton court, a tennis court, a basketball court, a volleyball court and a football field. Beyond the academic area, the college has created a serenade for watching birds and butterflies in campus. You can also go on nearby mountains for watching the sunrise and sunsets. MUWCI is a very beautiful campus and anywhere you go you would meet the breathtaking beauty of the valley and mountains.

What about religion?

The diversity of religions represented at the college offers many opportunities for interfaith discussions and dialogues. There are churches of various denominations, Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and a synagogue in Pune. You can also start a discussion club/forum of your religion. Until now, the campus has a "Religious Discussion Group" and a "Christian Club" as part of triveni initiated by students.

What resources are available in terms of technology?

There is an IT centre, which has 20 computers with Internet facility. The IT centre is open from 6' o clock in the morning until midnight. The AQ, the library and the Wada common rooms have wireless Internet facility. There is a Communication Centre at the main gate, which has a fax machine, a photocopier and telephones with international dialing system. The phones in the Wada Common rooms can only be used to make inter-Wada phone calls or to receive phone calls from outside. Cell phones are allowed for use only within the student houses/courtyards. The Reliance and Hutch are the only available networks for cell phones.

How often do students and staff meet to discuss their concerns?

There are college meetings once every week on Monday after the college meeting. Students together with the entire teaching staff including the headmaster have the opportunity to express concerns and address the entire college community about any personal or concerns in the community. Each student is assigned a tutor to whom he/she can go whenever the need arises. For the welfare of the student body, the students hold meetings to discuss the issues in the campus. The campus also has groups (eg, the Peer Support group) dealing with issues in residential life and conflicts within campus and hold regular meetings.

How do I keep in touch with home?

Payphones are available at the communication center. Making international calls, however, is cheaper outside the college. There are two phones in every Wada and it is best to arrange a time when you can receive a call from home. Receiving faxes is free but you will be charged to send them. Internet phones can also be used. The IT centre is open for use from 6 in the morning to 12 at night. Wireless is available 24 hours at every Wada and the academic area and you can be in touch with anyone at any time.

How do I receive mail and other packages?

The school forwards letters to the students pigeonholes in the AQ (the Academic Quadrangle). Larger packages are held in the school communication center and you are informed when they arrive. You can also send letters and parcels through the centre.

Can I have visitors?

There is an accommodation for visitors, a rest house Golden fields, which is located just down the hill. The students are not allowed to have overnight guests in their rooms, nor should their tutors/faculty be expected to have guests of any students stay with them. There are also 4 student guesthouses.

What are the rules enforced by the college?

The college has a 'Community Agreement' which lays out all the rules and regulations to be adhered in the college. All students are required to comply with the contract and failure to do so may require the college to take severe action against the student, such as expulsion. Prior to your admission at the college you are required to sign the Community Agreement. Please be clear of the responsibilities expected of you as a student when you are part of the campus community. As a member of the community, every student is bound by the Community Agreement to safeguard the interests and wellbeing of the other members. Students are encouraged to make the most out of the liberal framework within which the college works. They are not to engage in negative activities such as taking drugs or consuming alcohol.

What is check-in?

This is a safety measure taken by the college to ensure that all students are present on campus, safe and sound. The students have to be in their respective Wadas and report to the Wada parents. The check-in time is from 9:30 pm to 9.45 pm from Monday to Thursday and on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday the check in is at 10:15 p.m.

What can I expect from my second year students?

Your second years can help you to get adjusted in the college environment. They are interested to clarify any queries or doubts you may have. Do feel comfortable to ask for assistance from your second years, as they will have many experiences to share with you.

Is Mahindra UWC a safe place?

It is a safe place, without any locks for the student rooms and residences. However, there have been cases of theft within the school community, which are an issue of serious concern to the college. This kind of behaviour results in serious punishment. You are advised to keep you valuables in the locker.

Is there somewhere safe to keep valuables?

You are not advised to keep your passport, travelers' cheques, large sums of money or any other valuable items in your room. The security office at the college provides safety deposit boxes or lockers to each student for his/her valuables.

Money and Me

The college provides accommodation, food, furniture, and books. Many national committees offer pocket money, a monthly allowance, which is for your own personal expenses. If you ever find yourself in severe economic hardship, the school has a student welfare fund, which can often assist you with money, be it for pocket money, project week expenses or the Christmas break expenses. You would not face any major expenditure within the campus as everything is already taken care of.

Homesickness and how to deal with it

It is human to feel homesick if you are away from home in a new environment, especially if it is your first time. As the head master of the college puts it "homesickness is perfectly natural unlike most natural things, it passes without you actually having to do anything about it. It's there one day and the next day it's gone." - a brief but accurate simile. With the progress of time, you will be engaged more and more with you academics and social life here. You will make good friends to be by your side when you feel gloomy. Stay involved in the activities and events in the campus and there are plenty of things happening almost every week.

Off Campus

What are the surrounding areas of the college like?

The surrounding areas are breathtakingly beautiful. When the first years arrive, everything is green and sprouting with life as it is the end of monsoon. The college is located on a hilltop, overlooking the Mulla River and surrounded by the Sahayadri Mountains. The college shares a very close relationship with its surrounding villages where most of the community services are carried out. Find out more here

What sort of stores are there in Paud and Pune?

Pune is one of the fast growing metropolis in India. In Pune, you will find shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants and cine-complexes. However, Fruits and Vegetables are available in Paud. Detergents and minor stationary can be bought from the Coffee shop and Dukan. For the benefit of the students the dukan is open from check-in to 11.30 at night. However, students may prefer to buy everything from Pune. The college provides a bus system from the college to Pune every Saturday (tickets cost Rs.50 a roundtrip).