Scholarships and financial support
Once TES Always TES
September-December 2025
Round Square International Conference 16-25 September
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Winter Wishes EYP 4 - 5 December
Dear TES Community,
I hope you are all safe and well. For our December edition, we are focusing on a topic that continues to shape the present and future of many members of our community: Scholarships and Financial Support
This month, we share stories from current and former students who have earned scholarships and financial support in Colombia and abroad They reflect on the dedication, support, and opportunities that made their journeys possible and allowed them to maximise their personal and academic potential truly These experiences highlight the comprehensive culture of excellence within our community and the importance of continuing to open pathways for our next generations of students.
Thank you for staying connected with TES. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026, particularly for our upcoming Community Day, which will be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect (more information coming soon!)
Wishing you all a great end to the year and an enjoyable holiday season.
Adam Bennett Head of School-Rector
JULIANA MURCIA
Class of 2006
From TES Classrooms to the Golf Course
By: Andrea Suárez Munevar
When Juliana Murcia graduated from The English School in 2006, she was already dreaming big A passionate golfer and a dedicated student, Juliana turned her love for the sport into an incredible opportunity: a sports scholarship to study at Arizona State University in the United States
“I graduated from TES with a golf scholarship at Arizona State”, Juliana says proudly “The IB helped me a lot to validate several subjects I felt very well prepared for university, and after four wonderful years, I became a professional golfer.”
During her time at The English School, Juliana learnt how to balance hard work, responsibility, and commitment, values that guided her both in her studies and on the golf course The IB programme not only strengthened her academic profile but also prepared her to succeed abroad With excellent grades and great SAT and TOEFL results, Juliana had no trouble adjusting to university life.
Her journey to Arizona was completely self-driven Thanks to her outstanding athletic performance, she received offers from several universities. In the end, she chose Arizona State for its strong golf team and its location in Phoenix, a big and vibrant city that matched her energy and goals. Her scholarship started at 75% and soon became a full scholarship, a result of her dedication and success
Looking back, Juliana remembers her days at TES with deep affection “My favourite memories are definitely my friends”, she says “The friendships I made at TES have lasted through the years. We still keep in touch and share that special connection that started back in school ”
After completing her studies, Juliana played professional golf from 2010 to 2013, representing her country in national and international tournaments. Later, she decided to return to Colombia, where she continued to build both her professional and personal life
“After university, I played professional golf from 2010 to 2013, and then I came back to Colombia.
I did a master’s degree at Universidad de los Andes, and now we have a family business in signage and architectural visual communication, where I’ve been working ever since”.
Her connection to golf never faded.
“I reconnected with the Colombian Golf Federation as captain of the national women ’ s teams in the junior and senior categories”, Juliana explains. “Since 2018, I’ve been traveling with the teams to international competitions, it’s been about seven or eight years now with the federation, supporting players at different levels, from pre-juniors to adults, in tournaments all around the world”
Juliana’s dedication to Colombian golf continues to grow “Hopefully I’ll keep contributing and making a bigger impact”, she says “But my focus is now completely on Colombia. I’m convinced there’s still a lot to be done and given here”.
I felt very well prepared for university, and after four wonderful years, I became a professional golfer
Juliana’s story shows us that the lessons learnt at The English School go far beyond the classroom. Her dedication and passion continue to inspire future generations to dream big, stay grounded, and make a difference wherever life takes them.
Once a TES student, always a TES student, and Juliana continues to make our community proud
Class of 1991 GABRIEL BARBOSA
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
Immediately after graduating from school, I applied to two different careers at two different universities I applied to Mechanical Engineering at the Universidad de los Andes and to Medicine at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. I know these are two very different fields, but initially, I applied to mechanical engineering not so much out of passion, but because it was what was traditionally expected of me, given that my father was a mechanical engineer from los Andes However, my true vocational calling was to become a doctor So, I applied to Los Andes and was admitted to the Mechanical Engineering programme, but on my way back home, I passed by Javeriana University since it was on my route and decided to pick up the application form for Medicine as well I applied, was admitted, and in the end, fortunately, chose to pursue what I was genuinely passionate about: Medicine That is why I am a doctor today
In the end, fortunately, chose to pursue what I was genuinely passionate about: Medicine. That is why I am a doctor today.
2. What is your favourite memory from TES?
Honestly, I have many memories, and most of them are beautiful, pleasant, and truly treasured But if I have to choose just one, I particularly remember the outings or gatherings we had at school. One stands out in particular: it was a trip to a warmclimate club near Bogotá, I believe in Melgar I’m not exactly sure which grade we were in, but it was probably Grade 9 or 10. It was an amazing experience; I think almost our entire class was there We had such a great time, bonding, getting closer, and really strengthening our connections. I have a very fond memory of that trip
What type of scholarship or financial aid did you receive and what did it consist of?
Well, I received financial aid from the university through a programme called the “Javerian Teacher Training Program Abroad.” In other words, when I applied to that programme, I was already a doctor and a ObGyn, and what I wanted to do was to pursue a subspeciality, a fellowship, to deepen my knowledge in something related to my field, which was gynaecology However, to receive this financial aid, the subspecialty I chose had to be one that wasn’t offered at any university in Colombia and was available only abroad. So, I chose a subspeciality called Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology, which I pursued at one of the world’s top universities, the University of Chile, and there I obtained my degree as a paediatric gynaecologist with honours I applied to the programme at the university, but there were hundreds possibly thousands of professors competing, and I had to compete against many of them. Fortunately, that year my application stood out, and I was awarded financial aid, which was enormously helpful because it covered 100% of my tuition as well as my living expenses. In other words, I barely had to pay anything out of pocket, as the university fully supported me
This (IB education) helped me a lot because it allowed me, while still in high school, to delve deeper into the topics and subjects that interested me according to my future study plans
How did your IB education and the different options offered by the school, for example, available Diploma subjects, contribute to your university and professional life?
I believe that one of the things that helped me the most about what the school offered in terms of IB education, or International Baccalaureate, was the fact that I could choose some subjects at a higher level and others at a standard or medium level. This helped me a lot because it allowed me, while still in high school, to delve deeper into the topics and subjects that interested me according to my future study plans. As a result, it made me much better prepared for university than I would have been if I had just had a standard, traditional education without the opportunity to go in-depth into certain subjects.
We know that universities, to award scholarships or financial aid, analyse a student's profile in a holistic way that goes beyond academics. Tell us what aspects, in addition to academics, helped you develop your profile and how this contributed to your education.
Yes, definitely, it’s true that academics are a very important aspect, but they are certainly not the only factor that a university considers when providing financial aid to a student or a professor In my particular case, I believe that the school provided me with tools that were extremely useful for my university life, such as sports, for example, analytical skills, leadership abilities, confidence, a second language at a very good level, which is English, among other things
How did you feel when you found out you had been selected for the scholarship?
I was going to have the opportunity to go to another country, to a very important university, to study a speciality that didn’t exist in Colombia, and all of this would be funded by the university
Well, my first reaction was one of surprise, because I was competing against many other professors from a large university, professors from all sorts of disciplines, some of them brilliant minds, very distinguished individuals, pure academics So, I was surprised because I wasn’t entirely sure I would win that financial aid to continue studying. So, the first feeling was surprise, and the second was excitement, because I was going to have the opportunity to go to another country, to a very important university, to study a speciality that didn’t exist in Colombia, and all of this would be funded by the university. That meant I wouldn’t have to worry too much about money and could truly focus on studying, getting to know the country, and experiencing the culture This allowed me to spend more than two years outside of Colombia, during which I grew immensely academically, personally, as a professor, and as a professional.
What message would you like to give to current students at the school who want to apply for a scholarship to study at university?
The message I would give to students who are still in high school and want to apply for financial aid from the university is to be aware meaning, don’t let yourselves be convinced that it is OK to think that you ’ re living in a bubble You need to be conscious of what’s outside, of what’s really happening in your environment, and what’s going on with people who don’t have the same advantages as you do. Be aware of that and live accordingly. Be competent it’s of no use to have the best jobs or be at the best universities if you ’ re not truly making the effort to learn, to know, to analyse, to apply, and to excel at what you set out to do Be committed If we commit to something, if we say we ’ re going to do something, we must follow through. We must show ourselves and the world that we ’ re committed to what we set out to do and always give our best in any endeavour, any study, any career, or any plan or programme you undertake. Be compassionate. Remember that we ’ re all in this world, but not everyone is in the same circumstances We must be compassionate, be aware of others, and take care of each other and ourselves And lastly, trust in yourselves. The education the school provides is incredibly good, absolutely competitive with any university and any country. Trust in yourselves. If you want to obtain financial aid from a university to study whatever you set your mind to, focus on that, aim for it, be disciplined, be persistent, be persevering, and trust that it’s absolutely possible
You need to be conscious of what’s outside, of what’s really happening in your environment, and what’s going on with people who don’t have the same advantages as you do
MARIANA HERRERA
Class of 2025
Mariana has always been interested in expanding her knowledge in language and literature
Thanks to her hard work at school and holistic profile, she obtained an Academic Excellence Scholarship at Warwick University On this occasion, she would like to share her experience as a student at both school and university
Enjoy her story!
Click here to learn how I earned my university scholarship
VALERIA SERRANO
Class of 2025
Tell us briefly about your studies after graduating from school.
After graduating from school, I am now studying architecture at Universidad de Navarra, in Pamplona, Spain So far, the experience has been very good, as it has allowed me not only to become more independent but it has also allowed me to experience a different culture while starting my university studies
What is your favourite memory from TES?
My favourite memory from TES is definitely the different trips we took to Isla Fuerte, or La Guajira, as I was able to not only spend more time with my friends in a different environment, but also share time with some of my other classmates whom I didn't talk to much at school During trips like this, I was also able to try new foods and activities I would have never done on my own, and doing so with my friends is definitely one of my favourite memories from my time at TES
Having the support of the school counsellor and the university representative helped a lot in simplifying this (scholarship) process.
How was the process of choosing and applying to the university and the scholarship/financial support?
The process of choosing and applying to universities was long but not that complicated As I already had a clear idea of what I wanted to study and in which country, the search for which universities I wanted to apply to wasn't that wide, and with the help of my parents and the school counsellor, I was able to narrow it down to the few I liked the most and felt were the best for my degree. Once I had it clear which universities I wanted to apply to, looking for scholarships was easier, since all the information was available online The application process itself, for both the universities and the scholarships, wasn't very complicated, as it mostly required a few essays explaining my interests in the degree and the university, as well as my grades from the past 3 years. Additionally, having the support of the school counsellor and the university representative helped a lot in simplifying this process
What type of scholarship or financial aid did you receive (academic, athletic, financial need, etc.)and what did it consist of?
I received an academic scholarship based on my grades in Grades 10 and 11 This scholarship covers 40% of my tuition for the duration of my career. The scholarship required my grades from the last 2 years and a short essay explaining my interest in the university, in the degree and why I would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
How did your IB education and the different options offered by the school, for example, available Diploma subjects, contribute to your university and professional life?
The IB diploma not only made it easier for me to apply to university but also gave me the advantage of not having to present the entrance exam, making the process much simpler Beyond that, my IB education has also prepared me for university-level work, helping me learn to organise myself and my time effectively to meet deadlines, which has been very useful now in university Being able to choose subjects related to my career, such as Math and Physics, has also helped me be better prepared, as many topics covered in IB are the foundations of what I am learning in university now.
We know that universities, to award scholarships or financial aid, analyse a student's profile in a holistic way that goes beyond academics. Tell us what aspects, in addition to academics, helped you develop your profile and how this contributed to your education.
Aside from academics, I was also part of the school’s volleyball team for most of my time at TES This helped me learn skills such as teamwork, discipline and perseverance, which I now apply both to my studies and my daily life. It also helped me understand the importance of having a balance between academics and other aspects of my life, which has helped me develop my profile. In addition, I participated in several school events, including serving on the logistics team at TESMUN, which strengthened my communication and leadership skills These experiences helped me become more confident when working with others and prepared me to collaborate effectively on the group-based projects that are a big part of architecture and university life
What impact did this scholarship have on your life and that of your family?
This scholarship has made studying abroad significantly more accessible for me, lifting much of the financial weight that such an experience usually entails It has also been a tremendous relief for my family, as it covers the full five years of the degree. Personally, it motivates me to continue giving my best at university, knowing that my effort truly pays off and allowing me to take full advantage of this opportunity.
You never really know what they (universities) might be looking for or what could make you stand out
What message would you like to give to current students at the school who want to apply for a scholarship to study at university?
My main advice would be to start preparing early, take some time to research the different types of scholarships that might fit you, and check what kind of financial aid or academic based scholarships the universities you ’ re interested in usually offer I’d also say don’t be afraid to apply to as many scholarships as you can Even if you think you don’t have a big chance, you never really know what they might be looking for or what could make you stand out Also, make sure you stay organised during the process, keep track of deadlines, requirements, and essays, because every scholarship asks for slightly different things It can get a bit confusing if you leave it all for the last minute. Having everything planned out makes the process much easier and less stressful.
MARTHA PÉREZ
Class of 2006
From Bowling Lanes to Building Opportunities
By: Andrea Suárez Munevar
For Martha Pérez, Class of 2006, The English School was more than just a place to study; it was the foundation for a journey that combined passion, discipline, and opportunity.
As a talented bowling athlete, Martha earned a full athletic scholarship to study in the United States.
“I was very fortunate to receive a full athletic scholarship, which covered all expenses, including tuition, room and board, and books”, she shares “Without a full scholarship, there was no way I would have been able to study in the U S ”
Her path to that scholarship took hard work, planning, and perseverance. “In the U.S., only certain schools offer athletic scholarships, and there are some limits to academic financial aid for international students. So at first, it was a little hard to understand which schools would be able to provide any financial support”, Martha explains “Once I figured out the schools that had my sport and offered athletic scholarships, it was all about making sure I met all the requirements and submitted all the paperwork to apply to the school.”
She even took the time to visit several universities before making her decision. “I visited a few schools to be able to meet the coaches and see the universities, and in the end, I chose a school that was close to where I had family.”
At The English School, Martha had already learnt how to work hard and balance academics with her passions. “It is incredible how good IB education is, and I did not realise it until I started college”, she says. “There was so much that I already had learnt at TES that I was able to test out of some of the core curriculum classes, or simply skip the introduction classes and move on to more advanced ones. It also felt I was much better prepared at writing essays and simply knowing how to study for a test ”
She adds, “It always felt like my academic load at TES was much higher than in college, so it gave me some free time compared to my classmates to focus more on my sport. In my professional life, I have always felt that my education at TES is instrumental in being able to see problems in a much broader way and understand how to take a holistic approach to problem-solving.”
Her memories of TES go beyond academics
“I have so many great memories of my time at the school that it is very hard to pick just one ” , Martha recalls “Senior year was probably my favourite; we had the best field trips and great teachers. Every day at school was a great time, and it made all the studying worth it!”
After college, Martha decided to stay close to the world that had given her so many opportunities “After being involved in college sports as an athlete, I stayed in that field as a professional. I worked in the Business and Finance office of the Athletic Department at Georgetown University, Providence College, and now at the University of Arizona. In my current role, I oversee the daily functions of the finance office and work in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer to oversee the budget for the athletic department.”
Reflecting on how far she’s come, Martha says, “It is hard to describe the impact the scholarship had on my life and my family. Because of the connections I built while in college, I was also able to get two master's degrees on full scholarships, and it all allowed me to stay and work in the same field that gave me those opportunities I'm very fortunate that the athletic scholarship gave me a career that allows me to contribute to more students having the same opportunities I had ”
I'm very fortunate that the athletic scholarship gave me a career that allows me to contribute to more students having the same opportunities I had
Her advice for students at The English School is clear and practical: “Make sure to do your research and learn as much as you can about the opportunities available to you There are so many universities and colleges in the country, and they are all different and unique in certain ways If you are looking at an athletic scholarship, there are many changes happening that can have an impact on opportunities available to international students, so stay informed on what is happening Also, know that coaches have rules about when they can interact with prospective studentathletes, and it can vary depending on the sport, so do your research to know when you can start communicating with coaches.”
Martha’s story is a reminder of how far The English School's values, effort, integrity, and community can take its students. Her journey from TES classrooms to university athletics in the United States continues to inspire current students to dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality With every new step in her journey, Martha shows what it truly means: Once TES, always TES
CAMILO GUAQUETA
Class of 1999
Tell us briefly about your professional story after graduating from school.
I attended MIT, where I double-majored in Mathematics and Materials Science I then went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to get a PhD in Materials Science. For my research, I implemented computer simulations of various condensed-matter systems I realised that I enjoyed programming way more than academia, so after graduating, I got a job as a software engineer at Athenahealth, one of the first cloudbased systems for running medical practices in the United States. After 8 years, I took a sabbatical and then attempted to launch a solo software company
I built a nifty cloud-based sandboxed development environment, but I had no appetite for actually running a business I returned to the industry and am now a principal software engineer at Devoted Health.
What is your favourite memory from TES?
I was at TES from Grade 1 onward, so I have too many memories to choose from One thing I will share is that when I was very young and TES was very small, there used to be a big house for the administrative offices, and behind it were some feijoa trees. I have happy memories of eating feijoas while waiting for class to start or at the end of the day I also, to this day, will occasionally have vivid dreams of playing soccer with my friends
Something else that I appreciated was simply knowing that my IB education met high international standards
How was the process of choosing and applying to the university and the scholarship/financial support?
I remember it being very stressful. I credit my mom for helping me stay organised and on top of all the deadlines, as I did not have the time management skills at 17 to do it well myself (I barely do now). I applied to seven or eight universities in the United States, as well as two in Colombia I also applied to several independent scholarship programmes There were endless forms, many interviews, and even a couple of trips to visit the campuses The process was also strangely anticlimactic; here's this all-important production that sets the stage for the rest of your life, and somehow it consists of bureaucratic drudgery, insipid essay questions, and waiting
What type of scholarship or financial aid did you receive (academic, athletic, financial need, etc.) and what did it consist of?
One of the universities I applied to (IIT) offered me a merit-based scholarship that covered full tuition and expenses. I believe UT Austin also offered something similar However, when I was admitted to MIT, my heart was set on going there MIT doesn't offer any merit-based scholarships; it only offers need-based financial aid Once you are admitted, they work with you and your family to understand your financial situation and how much aid to give. I am fortunate because in 1999, a Colombian upper-middle-class income in pesos was paltry in dollars, so I received a large grant that covered most of my tuition. I was doubly fortunate because I am also a US citizen, which qualified me for federal loans that covered the rest of my expenses. In the end, I think attending MIT was cheaper for my family than if I had gone to Universidad de los Andes
How did your IB education and the different options offered by the school, for example, available Diploma subjects, contribute to your university and professional life?
MIT has a strong STEM focus, and in comparison, the IB curriculum provided a well-rounded education, more than what many of my peers had received. I initially lagged behind other students in Mathematics (at the time, I graduated, TES did not offer high-level Maths), but I quickly closed the gap. Beyond the curriculum itself, the extended essay was, for me, a core formative experience. I worked on developing a new cryptographic encryption scheme, which, in retrospect, is laughably ambitious. It was the first time I pursued a research project on my own, and for a couple of months, it felt like every day I had new ideas, then went to the library to learn that those ideas were decades or centuries old and thoroughly explored. It was simultaneously humbling and empowering, and it was good preparation for the kind of work I did in university. Something else that I appreciated was knowing that my IB education met high international standards; this helped me avoid imposter syndrome and self-doubt as I settled into a much more challenging academic environment
We know that universities, in order to award scholarships or financial aid, analyse a student's profile in a holistic way that goes beyond academics. Tell us what aspects, in addition to academics, helped you develop your profile and how this contributed to your education.
I'm not privy to how universities make their admission, scholarship, and financial aid decisions, I can only speculate I think it's important to keep in mind that some of it is just dumb luck; there are more qualified candidates than there are spots. I didn't have many extracurricular activities, especially not compared to my peers in the US who attended much larger and/or frankly wealthier schools with access to a wide array of activities, clubs, and tutors So how did I round out my profile? I think community service through CAS was helpful on paper. My experience with the extended essay and tackling a research problem on my own was also something I talked about in my university applications. I was a voracious reader in my free time and had a lot to say about that For athletics, even though it was not organised or official I did play soccer every day and at least one of my application essays was based on my love of the sport All that being said, I think what came across, somehow, in my application essays and interviews was that I was genuinely passionate about learning and broadening my horizons
I think what came across, somehow, in my application essays and interviews was that I was genuinely passionate about learning and broadening my horizons.
How did you feel when you found out you had been selected for the scholarship?
I felt extremely relieved and excited. I knew that without the financial aid, my family could not afford to send me to MIT, so getting the acceptance letter didn't feel meaningful. Only when I got the full details of the financial aid package did I allow myself to celebrate
What message would you like to give to current students at the school who want to apply for a scholarship to study at university?
Like many other things in life, applying for scholarships is just another chore you have to do It's not a goal in itself. It's not worth worrying about whether you ' re good enough or what your odds are Just give it your best shot; you might surprise yourself.
SARA CÁRDENAS
HONAMI NAKAYAMA
Class of 2026
Class of 2034
MARTIN MAIGUASHCA
Class of 2032
Sara, Honami and Martín are current TES students who were awarded different scholarships for this academic year. We decided to recognise them, highlight their achievements and learn more about their lives at TES.
Meet Sara
Meet Honami
Meet Martín
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