UWCSEA Scholarship Programme Graduating Scholars 2020/2021

UWCSEA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Graduating Scholars 2020/2021

Meet some of our scholars

Saw Wera Kyaw Kyaw ’21

Yelyzaveta ‘Liza’ Radionova ’21

Tuan Nguyen ’21

Christine Atieno Oduor ’21

Hala Hudaib ’21

Luisana Mailakeba ’21

In this world there are three types of people; people that make things happen, people that watch what happens and people who wonder what happened ... I expect UWC scholars to be those people that make things happen.” – Shelby Davis, Philanthropist The UWCSEA Scholarship Programme is an extraordinary expression of our mission, and your support in 2020/2021 has made all the difference.

A Scholarship gives deserving students access to a UWCSEA education, a transformational experience providing them the tools and skills to reach their greatest potential and grow as global citizens. Your support has made this possible; thank you.

52 scholars graduate this year, most of whom joined the College just months before the global pandemic took hold. For many of them, coming to Singapore was the first time they had left their families and home countries. Due to the unprecedented international travel restrictions put in place, scholars remained in Singapore in our boarding houses, which became their ‘homes away from home’, for most of their time here. Despite the multitude of challenges, scholars, like all our graduates in the Class of 2021, have risen to the occasion and thrived.

It is a privilege to share reflections from some of our scholars as they prepare to leave UWCSEA and embark on the next stage of their lives. In particular, it is remarkable to hear how they have used this unique time as an opportunity to deepen their community connections and the learnings that will shape their future. They have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, and I have great confidence that they will go on to do great things. They have shown during their time here that they are tremendously capable of tackling challenges that come their way.

Thank you for your generous support of these remarkable young people. The Class of 2021 are to be commended on their achievements and we wish them well on their next steps.

Sinéad Collins Director of Engagement and External Relations

Tenacious Technophile

Saw Wera Kyaw Kyaw ’21 Scholar from Myanmar Two-year scholarship funded by UWCSEA alumni When I first arrived one of the biggest challenges I faced was adapting to the academic system and curriculum. I came from a school system where we were taught to memorise facts without any deeper understanding. UWCSEA pushed me to develop critical thinking and communication skills, and I learned how to work in a team. These are tools and skills that I need to shape my future and are the most valuable gifts I have ever been given.

UWCSEA has broadened my vision and allowed me to meet people and learn from them; I will bring back everything I have learned to my community in Myanmar. Over the last two years, I have been inspired to develop my passion for technology, especially computer science.

One of my favourite memories took place during Singapore’s circuit breaker [in Term 3 2019/2020]. As a boarder, I spent a lot of time with my friends and met new ones. We supported and motivated each other. It was a very challenging time for me as all the big IB Diploma projects such as the Extended Essay, Internal Assessments and TOK presentation started at

that time, and I found it quite hard to do all these things via remote learning. And it was also the time when my closest roommate went back to his country. However, I received emotional and academic support from my friends and boarding house parents. This was wonderful and it made me feel connected to the community.

After graduation, I will attend Bucknell University (USA).

I will enrol in a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science and a minor in either Media Studies or Environmental Science. My greatest dream after university is to return to Myanmar and set up a technology company or to start teaching, one of my passions.

During the last two years, I have made friends I will keep for life, connected to the bigger UWC community, and created a network that will last forever. UWCSEA has brightened my future, helped me along the path of achieving my dreams and accomplishing my greatest goal–to help my country, my community and my people.

UWCSEA has brightened my future, helped me along the path of achieving my dreams and accomplishing my greatest goal–to help my country, my community and my people.”

Graduating Scholars 2020/2021 | 2

Open-minded Social Scientist

Cultural Communicator

Yelyzaveta ‘Liza’ Radionova ’21

Tuan Nguyen ’21

Scholar from Ukraine Two-year scholarship funded by a UWCSEA alumnus and donations to the UWCSEA Annual Fund

Scholar from Vietnam Two-year scholarship funded by donations to the UWCSEA Annual Fund

Some of my favourite memories are from the time spent together in the boarding house during the circuit breaker [in Term 3 2019/2020]. However hard it was, we were in it together. Our evenings were full of joy, deep conversations and a sense of gratefulness–to each other and to UWCSEA. I felt the power of a community to support and motivate each other and I will carry this further in my life. I was very proud to be elected as a member of the Boarding Council for one year and to help improve the experiences of boarders.

My friends are from different countries and I realised this was very unique; it might be the only time in my life when I am the only person from Ukraine. This helped me grow as a global citizen; countries stopped being just spots on a map, but names, faces, and personalities! Things I considered unarguably right before, didn’t fit in all contexts. I have rethought my beliefs and developed into a more openminded and a critical thinker. I removed the word ‘foreigner’ from my vocabulary. Nobody is a foreigner to me anymore– there are just people and societies whose cultures, perspectives and beauty are yet to be discovered.

After graduating, I will go to Minerva Schools at KGI (USA). I will study social sciences with a particular interest in education and peacebuilding, which connects to my teenage experiences as an Internally Displaced Person.

When I’m finished, I will return to Ukraine with a global perspective; my future career will be focused on positive social change.

I will always be grateful to the donors who funded this lifechanging education. Дякую!

Nobody is a foreigner to me anymore– there are just people and societies whose cultures, perspectives and beauty are yet to be discovered.”

3 | Graduating Scholars 2020/2021

One of my fondest memories is my involvement in NAMES–a cultural awareness activity that my friends and I started in 2019 in the boarding house. NAMES is a platform for sharing cultural experiences, clashes and solutions and informal talks. Through this activity, we have amplified the UWC mission and reminded students of what we are truly here for.

As a scholar, I was committed to narrowing the gap between scholars and fee-paying students and troubleshooting cultural misunderstandings. I am very pleased that my three proposals for cultural awareness and UWC-focused initiatives will be established as an awareness programme in the next academic year.

I’ve learned so much from discussions (and disagreements!) with other students, especially my best friend, Katerina.

Her pacifist approach, along with her stories of Ancient Greek democracy and moral philosophies, were influential in easing my human rights activism. Part of the beauty of UWCSEA is learning how to communicate and developing a genuine curiosity and appreciation for other points of view.

Next year I will attend Middlebury College (USA); it will be very windy and snowy but I am excited to embrace new challenges.

Thank you so much for your trust in me to continue the UWC mission. My future career will be shaped with a moral imperative and although this marks the end of my UWCSEA scholarship, it is the start of many possibilities and I have great optimism for the future.

Cảm ơn rất nhiều!!!

Part of the beauty of UWCSEA is learning how to communicate and develop a genuine curiosity and appreciation for other points of view.”

Public Health Advocate

Christine Atieno Oduor ’21 Scholar from Kenya Two-year scholarship funded by a UWCSEA family When I first joined UWCSEA in 2019 I was very reserved and shy. But the last two years here have changed me; I am now a courageous person who stands up for what is right.

UWCSEA is a very competitive environment that has constantly pushed me to always do my best and I’ve learnt to offer nothing but my best in everything I do. UWCSEA has prepared me to face the world no matter what. I have learnt how to be responsible not only for myself but for my community as well. I know that everyone has something to offer and to not underestimate my abilities. I also realised that the small things we do, when combined, can make a really big difference.

After UWCSEA I will be attending Macalester College (USA).

I hope to study Public Health and after I graduate, I will go back to Kenya and help improve the health standards and conditions in rural areas. I know this is a big goal that might be difficult but I can at least do my best to improve the situation.

I would like to thank my donor for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of UWCSEA, living a dream that I could never have hoped for. At UWCSEA I have been immersed in a very active community who have helped me grow as a person. I feel ready for my next stage of life. Every day, I am motivated to work even harder, so that one day I too can provide such a great opportunity to others.

Asante Sana!

... the last two years here have changed me; I am now a courageous person who stands up for what is right.”

Graduating Scholars 2020/2021 | 4

Brave Optimist

Hala Hudaib ’21 Scholar from Jordan Two-year scholarship funded by donations to the UWCSEA Annual Fund I remember the day that I landed in Changi; I was feeling homesick but also excited about the UWCSEA experience ahead. Two years are almost over now and it all went by so fast.

Joining UWCSEA was one of the most daring steps I have ever taken and I found it hard to start the IB, but with hard work and support from the community, I improved and learned so much. I have grown as a person; UWCSEA helped me to become more open-minded and accepting.

At UWCSEA, I openly spoke about my culture and religion to break down stereotypes, and I will take home everything I learned about other cultures. Before I came here, I never imagined having friends from Thailand, Myanmar, India, Tanzania, and Ghana. Living in the boarding house and being part of the boarding community is one of the best experiences I have ever had. All of the different conversations that I had with people discussing interesting political or religious topics were a blessing.

I have enrolled at Georgetown University Qatar for next year. Before I attend university, I will go home and I am hoping to do some volunteer work.

Through my time here I’ve learned that every journey is full of ups and downs, but it’s all about how you deal with your downs and learn from them. Allow yourself to grow and to change. Don’t be scared of making mistakes.

Mistakes will not kill you, they will make you stronger.

This experience was life-changing; UWCSEA taught me a lot about life. I have had the opportunity to try new things and to challenge myself as well as carrying on with my passion. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the donors, your support will always be remembered. ‫شكرا من القلب‬ ‫حال هديب‬

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the donors, your support will always be remembered.”

5 | Graduating Scholars 2020/2021

Determined Athlete

Luisana Mailakeba ’21 Scholar from Fiji Four-year scholarship funded by two families from the UWCSEA community When I arrived at UWCSEA four years ago I didn’t know basic English. I was just 15 years old and had left home for the first time and I didn’t have the language skills to make friends. But I didn’t let that stop me and I reached out to people and let them get to know me. I believe that people here will always remember me because of my big smile.

Coming to UWCSEA is something I will never regret because I realise how far I have become during these four years.

Academically there were a lot of ups and downs and in between I was able to learn and grow as a person. The twoyear journey of the IB Diploma was a roller coaster but at the same time it was challenging, there was a lot of support and that made it more interesting and more enjoyable.

Lockdown [in Term 3 2019/2020] brought the boarding community closer together and we were there for each other during the hard times. The amount of love I received from my friends is indescribable, they are like family to me.

Throughout my time here sports, especially volleyball, was my favorite activity and I’m so grateful for all the people I have met. I am not naturally good at communicating with different types of people, but volleyball helped me to connect with different people.

Next year I am going to Methodist University (USA).

UWCSEA has taught me to challenge myself academically and socially and to broaden my mindset. The UWC values have given me international and intercultural understanding.

I’ve learned that although life can be hard at times, whether it’s homesickness or having a lot of school work, it is important to always remember you were given this opportunity for a reason and that you have to push yourself a little harder and get out of your comfort zone.

Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I am very blessed to be a member of this amazing and diverse community.

Vinaka Vakalevu!

I am very blessed to be a member of this amazing and diverse community.”

Graduating Scholars 2020/2021 | 6

UWCSEA Scholarship Programme 2020/2021 at a glance

52 46

66

112

scholars graduating from UWCSEA

scholars receiving a UWC education thanks to support from the UWCSEA community

countries represented by graduating scholars

Current enrolment

• Albania • Argentina • Belarus • Bhutan • Botswana • Brazil • Burkina Faso • Cambodia • China • Colombia • Denmark • El Salvador • Estonia • Ethiopia • Fiji • France • Georgia • Germany • Ghana • Guatemala • Hong Kong • Hungary • Israel • Italy • Jamaica • Jordan • Kazakhstan • Kenya • Lithuania • Malawi • Malaysia • Mexico • Myanmar • Namibia • Philippines • Peru • Portugal • Russia • Senegal • Serbia • Sierra Leone • Tanzania • Thailand • Ukraine • Venezuela • Vietnam

105 3 2 1 1

UWCSEA UWC East Africa UWCSEA Staff Scholarship Fund Waterford Kamhlaba UWC UWCSEA Refugee Scholarship (Iraq) UWC Mostar UWCSEA Staff Scholarship Fund UWC Mahindra

countries across the world are represented by scholars

33%

9%

Europe

24%

North and Central America

Asia

18%

2%

Africa

14%

Oceania

South America

Countries per region

22

Europe

| 16

Asia

| 12

Africa

| 9

South America

| 6

North and Central America

| 1

Oceania

UWCSEA’s Scholarship Programme, and the young people who benefit from it, represent an extraordinary expression of the UWC mission.

For more information, please contact: Hannah Williamson, Head of Fundraising, hannahwilliamsonuwc@uwcsea.edu.sg UWCSEA Foundation | +65 6419 9353 | foundation@uwcsea.edu.sg | www.uwcsea.edu.sg/support-us FUND-2021