Meet some of our scholars

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

Basketball Star to Biomedical Engineer

Matagari Ouattara ‘23

Scholar from Burkina Faso

UWCSEA allowed me to discover my full potential, as a student, a young African woman, and as a potential world changer. As a student, UWCSEA has challenged me with its rigorous IB curriculum, and given me the opportunity to pursue my ambition of becoming a biomedical engineer with confidence and perseverance. As a young African woman, UWCSEA’s diverse community has proven to me the necessity to value my BLACKNESS, and inspired me by connecting me with other talented young women also finding their way. As a potential life changer, the UWC movement has made me realise how powerful I am, and how my actions make a difference. I know now how any thoughtful action no matter how little, can truly make the world a better place.

I have made a difference by being an ambassador for my country. I have broadened my peers and members of UWCSEA community’s perspectives on matters like terrorism, political conflicts, financial hardship, and cultural dilution. I have also influenced my peers to act with determination to succeed, by demonstrating my own perseverance. For example, while I wasn’t fluent in English at the start, my determination helped me excel. I also applied this to basketball. I competed for the school on the Varsity A Team, and was proud to receive the Most Valuable Player Award this year. Playing basketball also allowed me to have something in common with an extended group of students outside the boarding house, which I am happy for.

UWCSEA has armed me with the intellectual and societal experiences to tackle whatever is awaiting me. Next year, I will major in Biomedical Engineering and pre-med. My future goal is to become a Burkina Faso expert in this field, and bring my knowledge and experiences back home. I hope to revolutionise the weak and outdated medical system in Burkina Faso, and help provide relief to the communities.

There are no words that could translate my gratitude for the opportunity to come to UWCSEA. The scholarship has opened doors to a brighter future for me. My family, community, and I are touched by your generosity. Infinitely times, Anitchié!

Explorer, Advocate and Global Thinker Yanisa (Opor) Promkaewtor ’23

Scholar from Thailand

An explorer, advocate, and global thinker describes me well over the last two years. At UWCSEA I had new opportunities where I developed passions I did not know I had. I took IB film for the first time and also had the opportunity to play tennis, where I became the co-captain of the U19 B team in Grade 12. I am grateful for the chance to train, play matches against other schools, and make new friends from other grades. It was an opportunity that I would never have imagined I would enjoy!

In IB film, I realised my passion for reflecting social issues through film. My short film was selected into the Across Asia Youth Film Festival and won the audience award. It was a big step for me as a film enthusiast! This made me realise I want to pursue film studies because of the beauty films have to impact audiences. I hope to one day contribute my film studies to give back to Thai society by becoming a filmmaker or a film professor in a Thai university.

I also had the opportunity to advocate for local organisations in Singapore. I volunteered in a clothing swap program to support sustainable fashion started by an UWCSEA alumni, and also a plastic recycling organisation. I got to share these experiences with new boarding house students this past year which was really great, and also created opportunities to take them into local communities too.

My UWCSEA education has taught me to be ready to take every opportunity and challenge that comes into my life. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I am very excited and ready to continue this journey, and do my best to chase my goals. I would never have had this experience if it was not for the support of a full scholarship. Education is the greatest gift that any youth can have, and I hope that other kids who have big dreams will have an opportunity to pursue their dreams like me.

- Thank you!

My UWCSEA education has taught me to be ready to take every opportunity and challenge that comes into my life.”