"Current research in the United States has found only a small percentage of adolescents have developed a sense of purpose. This dissertation investigates how a 2-year 11th and 12th-grade residential multicultural values-based experiential program influences adolescents' sense of purpose. The participants for this research included 2023 graduates and 2024 students at the United World College-USA (UWC-USA) in Montezuma, New Mexico, with approximately 236 students enrolled from over 90 countries. This research explores five UWC-USA activities: residential life, community service, arts and culture, wilderness experiences, and constructive engagement of conflict. Findings include volunteering in the local community inspired a life direction in many students. Arts and culture activities include student-produced and directed theater performances showcasing the students' diversity and talents and provided direction for many. Wilderness experiences--multi-day hikes--developed skills of resilience, collaboration, self-discipline, and group leadership. Wilderness experiences were the most influential for many students in forming a life direction. Training in constructive engagement of conflict (CEC) and serving on a conflict transformation team managing conflict on campus shaped a life direction for some students. There was near unanimity on four of the activities, however CEC was rated last by both cohorts. The experiences at UWC-USA influenced the framing of a life direction for many of the students, and for some, this was quite profound. These results answered the research question: How do five types of activities offered during a 2-year United World College-USA baccalaureate and residential program for 11th and 12th graders shape students' direction in life? [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]