September 2018
Scholarship Opportunities for International Students
23/09/18 11:28
T
aking the plunge and going to school abroad, given the inherent clash of cultures is exhilarating despite occasional setbacks. Aiming for international student scholarships adds to the challenge but is worth the effort. I know firsthand that such aspirations definitely push international students to reach new levels.
Here in Vancouver, BC, there are annual Vancouver School Board (VSB) District International Student Scholarships. Specifically, the top competitive scholarships include: the Most Outstanding Awards for each grade level from 8 to 11; Outstanding Academic Award (Killeen Award); and Outstanding International Student Award (Bob Fitzpatrick Award).
During my very first year 2016-2017 in Vancouver, thankfully, I was able to win the Most Outstanding Grade 10 Award. As a grade 11 student during 2017-2018 school year, I received an honorable mention for the same type of award. Thus, I would like to share my experience with scholarship essays, my own understanding of winning these kinds of opportunities and some personal advice/tips. Although I had an average of 97 in Grade 10 and 98 in Grade 11, it is honestly not just about having top grades. Both times, I was surprised by my results because there are so many exceptional students. I believe my breadth of experiences was central to winning the scholarship.
Most school district international student scholarships, including those of the VSB, usually look for well-balanced academic and non-academic achievements, as well as involvement within school and extracurricular activities. All of this has to be effectively conveyed in the application essays. Having high academic achievement as a baseline, when writing these kinds of scholarship essays, I would recommend:
1. Writing about at least one strong non-academic field
As you are competing with those who all excel academically, try to include this one non-academic area that you are confident that you have put your passion into and have made some achievements. For me, it was music. I described my musical involvement in and out of school which advanced my communication and teamwork skills. Highlight interpersonal skills whenever possible.
2. Encompassing personal aspects in the essays that set you apart from others
Scholarship essays are fundamentally the displaying of yourself for the officers to judge whether you are exceptional or not. Including personal experience, memories, values and opinions that authentically reflect you and define your life as well as your educational goals and ambitions are, without a doubt, a bonus.
3. Showing clear correlations between extracurricular activities and pursuing fields
Personally, more than half of my extracurricular activities orbit around business, where my desired career lies. Through making these connections, I was able to reveal that business has already stemmed its branches into my personal life. Showing that you are prepared and are constantly seeking ways to immerse yourself in the field you are pursuing plays a significant role in winning scholarships.
4. Emphasizing your potential
While highlighting your strengths, it is also crucial to briefly convey in the essay that you are still learning and improving by engaging in new challenges. In my opinion, scholarships are not rewards for your current status but more like an investment in your future. Therefore, providing proof of your potential that extends to your future years is a cherry on top.
Winning scholarships in the pool of competitiveness may seem extremely satisfying, but do not forget that the investment in your potential is really an expectation that you will fulfill an implicit promise to continue contributing to society. Thus, staying humble at all times is most essential.
Lastly, international high school students including me are living exciting lives yet there are fewer scholarship opportunities. Nevertheless, these chances to shine are motivating foreign students and planting a heartfelt sense of accomplishment within the winning individuals. I hope this article helps you and encourages you to aim higher!
— Written by Tina (Jueun) Jang, Point Grey Secondary School
Here in Vancouver, BC, there are annual Vancouver School Board (VSB) District International Student Scholarships. Specifically, the top competitive scholarships include: the Most Outstanding Awards for each grade level from 8 to 11; Outstanding Academic Award (Killeen Award); and Outstanding International Student Award (Bob Fitzpatrick Award).
During my very first year 2016-2017 in Vancouver, thankfully, I was able to win the Most Outstanding Grade 10 Award. As a grade 11 student during 2017-2018 school year, I received an honorable mention for the same type of award. Thus, I would like to share my experience with scholarship essays, my own understanding of winning these kinds of opportunities and some personal advice/tips. Although I had an average of 97 in Grade 10 and 98 in Grade 11, it is honestly not just about having top grades. Both times, I was surprised by my results because there are so many exceptional students. I believe my breadth of experiences was central to winning the scholarship.
Most school district international student scholarships, including those of the VSB, usually look for well-balanced academic and non-academic achievements, as well as involvement within school and extracurricular activities. All of this has to be effectively conveyed in the application essays. Having high academic achievement as a baseline, when writing these kinds of scholarship essays, I would recommend:
1. Writing about at least one strong non-academic field
As you are competing with those who all excel academically, try to include this one non-academic area that you are confident that you have put your passion into and have made some achievements. For me, it was music. I described my musical involvement in and out of school which advanced my communication and teamwork skills. Highlight interpersonal skills whenever possible.
2. Encompassing personal aspects in the essays that set you apart from others
Scholarship essays are fundamentally the displaying of yourself for the officers to judge whether you are exceptional or not. Including personal experience, memories, values and opinions that authentically reflect you and define your life as well as your educational goals and ambitions are, without a doubt, a bonus.
3. Showing clear correlations between extracurricular activities and pursuing fields
Personally, more than half of my extracurricular activities orbit around business, where my desired career lies. Through making these connections, I was able to reveal that business has already stemmed its branches into my personal life. Showing that you are prepared and are constantly seeking ways to immerse yourself in the field you are pursuing plays a significant role in winning scholarships.
4. Emphasizing your potential
While highlighting your strengths, it is also crucial to briefly convey in the essay that you are still learning and improving by engaging in new challenges. In my opinion, scholarships are not rewards for your current status but more like an investment in your future. Therefore, providing proof of your potential that extends to your future years is a cherry on top.
Winning scholarships in the pool of competitiveness may seem extremely satisfying, but do not forget that the investment in your potential is really an expectation that you will fulfill an implicit promise to continue contributing to society. Thus, staying humble at all times is most essential.
Lastly, international high school students including me are living exciting lives yet there are fewer scholarship opportunities. Nevertheless, these chances to shine are motivating foreign students and planting a heartfelt sense of accomplishment within the winning individuals. I hope this article helps you and encourages you to aim higher!
— Written by Tina (Jueun) Jang, Point Grey Secondary School
Geering Up
23/09/18 11:18
“Summer holiday”, the word that sparks joy in us whenever we hear it, is the free period between school years. We fill this time with various experiences, such as going to a summer school, getting a summer job, travelling around the country/world, or, fulfilling everyone’s favourite, sleeping in and just chilling at home. Lots of students also decide to get involved in volunteer activities. Here, I would like to introduce one of the volunteering activities I participated in during the break.
“Geering Up” UBC Engineering and Science camps are for all K-12 students, promoting science, engineering and technology through fun, innovative and hands-on projects. They not only hold camps at the UBC campus but also hold some at VSB elementary schools. The diversity of the camps varies depending on the age groups and locations.
I volunteered for 3 weeks as a junior instructor for three different Grade 4-5 groups for each week, first two weeks at VSB elementary schools and the last week at UBC campus. Although I have had experiences teaching children, “Geering Up” was totally different from what I had expected and previously encountered. Assisting with science activities, supporting campers one-on-one, monitoring their safety, organizing lunch hour activities, preparing materials for the next camp day, and drawing out their creativity were, at first, a little overwhelming. I was not familiar with such an energetic environment where I was accountable for a group of kids.
Throughout my time, I learned how to communicate with them more patiently and effectively, how to lead activities by planting interest and joy in science in each individual. Later, I even found myself enjoying what I was doing. Not only that, I became close to other junior instructors of my age and am still keeping in touch.
Throughout my 3 weeks of volunteering as a junior instructor, I gained a little over 100 hours of volunteer hours. Beyond these, more importantly, the camps gave me the opportunity to improve my communication and leadership skills, which enhanced my ability to work harmoniously with children. I discovered that I had to gain their respect and trust by connecting with them at their level. Instead of being a strict authority figure, I interacted with them as if I was one of them by being playful, energetic, and curious.
If you wish to spend your summer meaningfully, I would highly recommend taking such an opportunity of becoming junior instructors of “Geering Up” in your future years!
— Written by Tina (Jueun) Jang, Point Grey Secondary School
“Geering Up” UBC Engineering and Science camps are for all K-12 students, promoting science, engineering and technology through fun, innovative and hands-on projects. They not only hold camps at the UBC campus but also hold some at VSB elementary schools. The diversity of the camps varies depending on the age groups and locations.
I volunteered for 3 weeks as a junior instructor for three different Grade 4-5 groups for each week, first two weeks at VSB elementary schools and the last week at UBC campus. Although I have had experiences teaching children, “Geering Up” was totally different from what I had expected and previously encountered. Assisting with science activities, supporting campers one-on-one, monitoring their safety, organizing lunch hour activities, preparing materials for the next camp day, and drawing out their creativity were, at first, a little overwhelming. I was not familiar with such an energetic environment where I was accountable for a group of kids.
Throughout my time, I learned how to communicate with them more patiently and effectively, how to lead activities by planting interest and joy in science in each individual. Later, I even found myself enjoying what I was doing. Not only that, I became close to other junior instructors of my age and am still keeping in touch.
Throughout my 3 weeks of volunteering as a junior instructor, I gained a little over 100 hours of volunteer hours. Beyond these, more importantly, the camps gave me the opportunity to improve my communication and leadership skills, which enhanced my ability to work harmoniously with children. I discovered that I had to gain their respect and trust by connecting with them at their level. Instead of being a strict authority figure, I interacted with them as if I was one of them by being playful, energetic, and curious.
If you wish to spend your summer meaningfully, I would highly recommend taking such an opportunity of becoming junior instructors of “Geering Up” in your future years!
— Written by Tina (Jueun) Jang, Point Grey Secondary School
Seniors with Skillls
13/09/18 06:17
Get involved and volunteer for Seniors With Skills! My name is Jaya and I am a university student and founder of the nonprofit organization Seniors With Skills. After volunteering at various retirement residences since middle school and seeing the desire for many seniors to remain active and engaged in the community, I was inspired to make a difference!
Who are we?
Seniors with Skills is a team of young adults who improve the overall quality of life of seniors through social engagement. Our mission is to help seniors find volunteer, job, and class opportunities in their residences and local communities. We have young volunteers from all across the US and Canada!
So what exactly do we do?
We have already helped many seniors get involved in volunteer opportunities such as knitting for cancer patients, volunteering in community houses and shelters as well as working in local bookstores! Seniors with Skills delivers presentations directly to seniors at independent living homes in the Greater Toronto Area. These presentations are tailored directly to each retirement home, and discuss all of the various job and volunteer opportunities in the area. At the end of each session, there is an opportunity for residents to interact with us on a personal basis so we can connect them with activities that engage them. We have also developed a computer literacy program at a few retirement residences where we send our volunteers to help seniors improve their tech skills on a biweekly basis!
How can you get involved?
Email seniorswithskillsorganization@gmail.com to volunteer with us! Feel free to email us if you are interested in starting a club at your school (Canada or US)!
You can also get involved with us through social media through:
—Written by Jaya Manjunath, Founder of Seniors With Skills