BFMT Scholars - Reflections

Sonia Guterres

Initial thoughts after first week.
Many thanks for everything. It is the greatest opportunity ever; we've just spend a lot of time doing many fun activities during Orientation Week, and that is totally inspiring and meaningful for me. As a generation of a country that truly lacks educational opportunity, it's the best occasion for me to build a strong commitment and determination to do the best, in order for my future, family and mostly for my beloved country, Timor Leste (East Timor).

Middle of first year
Apologies for the delay in replying since we were kind of busy with the One World production recently and school work has been busier recently. School has been really good recently. Everything is fine. The thing is that I need to do is to study better and better. This reminds me of my gratitude to BFMT that helped me to get this opportunity. Thank you very much once again.

Neto De Jesus
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong 2008-10

It is hard to believe, but my first year in Li Po Chun United World College is over. I feel like I have been exposed to a whole new world since I joined Li Po Chun United World College. I have got lots of friends from different countries and background; I have had an extraordinary learning experience over this year at LPCUWC, which has definitely led to a lot of positive changes in my life. This one year at LPCUWC has brought out the best in me both academically and socially. I can’t wait to go back and finish another year in LPCUWC.

Thank you everyone and thank you Blair Forster Memorial Trust.

Pascoela Sequeira
Pearson UWC 2007-09
After passing her IB Diploma Pascoela, our first student to attend Pearson College on Vancouver Island, Canada obtained a full scholarship to attend Oklahoma University. Here is her reflection on the time she spent there as well as some photos of her with some of her friends exploring OU. here >

This is my experienced during two years of being UWC student. Well, until now I still feel like I’m a UWC student. I love all my experienced during my time but I can only write a few here. I never expected to meet people from almost all over the world, if I count from when I was a first year and added up with second year I guess I met students from about 150 countries; it’s like more than a half of the world.

By sharing life, culture, tradition and education made me think that people are similar, no matter where you from. Besides, I also realized that the harder part of life that I experienced also experienced by other people and theirs might be harder than mine.

Culture is unique as it belongs to each country but I also found that much of our culture is related to other cultures. Therefore, I think my world and knowledge open up after I attended UWC.

I am so grateful for my scholarship because by paying for me to go to this school it has fulfilled my dream. Studying abroad and competing as an international student was my dream and now this dream become true, without costing me anything. I also want to thank, teachers, host family and UWC founders. As a result of all of these experiences I can now study in The University of Oklahoma, USA with full scholarship again. I hope through my study of Chemical Engineering in the university I can at least contribute something to my lovely country.

Milca da Conceiçaõ reflections on her time at Methodist College
First of all, I would like to thank Blair Foster Memorial Trust for giving me the opportunity to study abroad. My two years of college at UWC-USA was amazing. When I heard I got a scholarship to study in the U.S., I was very excited. However, I was nervous at the same time.  I knew it was going to be difficult living so far away from home, and studying everything in English. I took the chance.  To be honest, I had a great time studying at UWC-USA. I was able to learn so many things such as education, being independent, learning other cultures, sharing new experiences, making new friends, and meeting people from all over the world. The faculties, staffs, and friends were very nice and friendly.

Although I encountered so many difficulties, my families and friends’ prayers and support made it all easy for me. At first, I had a difficult time adjusting myself to the new environment. I had very little English, so it was difficult communicating with people. There were also times where I long for my families and friends so much.  However, as time passes, I was able to overcome all the difficulties. I grew even stronger.  I was finally earned my IB Diploma. Overall, it was an honor and a great experience studying at United World College. My experiences at UWC were all very special; therefore, I will cherish those moments every minute of my life.

Ana Belo’s reflections on her first term at UWCSEA
The fond memories that I have from the wonderful experiences I have gained in Singapore and more specifically UWCSEA are indeed vivid and will never be forgotten. I have interacted with people from all kinds of walk; be they different races or cultural backgrounds and practices. These I learnt and appreciated through participation in various international evenings and UN nights. This is an annual event organized by the college where students perform to ambassadors, alumni and other foreign dignitaries. My room mates are from India, Burma and Italy.

The schooling here is different. People mostly use English but other languages like Spanish, German, French etc. are spoken. I found it hectic and challenging as I had to cope with grasping English skills and also learning other subjects, which I did not learn back home, in English. Although all these were my obstacles, I managed to trample them down as I sought help from other friends of mine. In this friendship, we also hang out together on weekends and after school during week days.

From interaction with people, I have learnt a sense of altruism in which I have a strong conviction of helping the underprivileged in our societies. I have managed to balance my academic work with social life by voluntarily appreciating other people's contributions. As I look forward to the next term in UWC, I hope I will continue exploring other people's rich culture which is greatly covered by the diversity here. I am strongly convinced that I will be able to face any other challenge that may come across my new life and thank the committee for giving me such a wonderful opportunity. I hope I will never ever let the committee down in pursuing my career and potentials.

Pascoela’s reflections of Pearson College:
In the first time when I came here to Pearson College, I was very afraid with my English because my English is very bad and I came late (delays in issuing of Canadian visa). But people here very friendly, they didn't laugh you if your English is bad and some people has same problem like me. I shared with a second year student about my problem and they said that, I'm better then them because when they came here they couldn't speak English at all. But is important if you want to learn and it is important you don't feel shy. Now I feel happy because I can communicate with the other people with English. And day by day, I start to speak and be more active in a classroom and do my homework. I try to write essay in English. To improve my English I choose to join in Newspaper activity and I already wrote three articles and I feel very happy when people come and said congratulation for me. To improve my pronunciation in English I join in Theatre and I had performance for 1st Year Theatre Production, it was very excited for me because I could be in the performance and my teacher said that it's perfect. I also spent my Project Week on Cortes Island as Cultural Ambassador, and I was interested with this activity because I could make a presentation about my country in English.

So for me this scholarship help me so much because we can learn many thing, not only sciences and language but also built a friendship between countries, study about other countries, show my country to them, share about lifestyle in our own country, so we can build peace among us, among countries. Because many people, didn't know about East Timor, they don't even know where is East Timor, so with this scholarship we can open their knowledge and they also can open and broader our knowledge. I have wonderful day and wonderful life at Pearson College. I want to share more about my experience and I hope when I have Summer Break I can share from my own mouth to another students in East Timor. And I hope that with my experience I can contribute something for my country.

Elsia’s (Maria Auxiliadora Javier) reflections of LPCUWC
Yes! My two years of IB is finally over! I am so glad that I made it and finished my high school life and ready for another four years of university experience. On the other hand, half my soul still wants to stay in here at LPCUWC, Hong Kong. I feel as if it’s just yesterday that I arrived at Li Po Chun United World College, experiencing the hectic life and challenges and now the time to say goodbye is already knocking on my door.

Looking back into my two years experience, I would never deny that these were the most amazing moments of my life; I learnt a lot. My uncle told me that I’ve grown up in a school building! (I keep laughing at this sentence whenever I think of it!) Nonetheless, I agree with him. I’ve grow, matured, experienced, learned and found my identity here.

I called Li Po Chun my 2nd home. Why is that so? I have my 2nd, 3rd and more parents in the form of teachers; 2nd siblings’ are my fellow students, and even the staff pets are mine! It has what-it-needs-to be-called home.

Still flashing back to my two years of life in a United World College, one would say, “Elsia, you’re lucky!” I totally agree, but frankly speaking, my life in the 1st year was unimaginable; I felt as if I was stranded either in the Sahara Desert or in the Amazon rainforest. I didn’t know where to start, which path to choose and from which direction the wind blew. Gradually, I lost and found my way and became someone else; a follower and a pessimist, but still striving towards what I call survival of the fittest by “IB Natural Selection”.

My 1st year memories are ones that I’ll never forget:

• My first day of classes had two sciences; biology and chemistry. I got into the class with an empty head and it still felt empty as the classes were over. I didn’t understand any of the English words the teachers said as if I was on Mars.
• I failed my 1st biology test by getting 1 out of 7 and can still smile (bitterly);
• Shaking to death during my chemistry 1st year exam and thought that I was going to die during the examination in the school gym;
• Dropped from math SL to math studies and woke up the next day thinking that I was a loser!
• To accept the truth that I was no longer a top student compared to what I used to be in my previous school was enough to lose faith in my own ability.

Then ready for my summer holiday in May, 2008 and try to change!! ;)

2nd year experience was absolutely amazing! I have no clue how I’ve changed dramatically in many aspects! One word I like the most: Improving.

Glad that I’ve done with my Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge assignments during my summer days, it was time to catch up and discover the true colors of IB life, and conscious or unconsciously I found it ;).

I am not saying that life in the 2nd year was easy, but in comparison to my 1st year, it was way better. The reason was mainly due to my English improvement and I had adapted to the college’s lifestyle. I was no longer shaking in my chemistry classroom and my self esteem steadily improved to the point that I know that I have my own unique ability. However, I wouldn’t have reached this stable period without the encouragement from people around me at college and from back home. Parents’ encouragement was definitely my main support! My Hong Kong parents, teachers, friends and even the college’s atmosphere made me feel that there’s no time to hold back. Oh, I just loved those two years at Li Po Chun United World College!

PROJECT WEEK! Last year I went to Malaysia for my project week and this year I went to Vietnam; both trips were amazing! Both places were super hot which reminded me of East Timor which has the same temperature. The main unforgettable thing in Vietnam was the traffic jam! It’s astonishing to see all the drivers use only common sense on the road.

Anyway, to sum up for all my 2 years reflection I am so happy and can only thank the Blair Forster Memorial Trust for the scholarship offer, including everyone and all the sponsors for donating the money to help East Timor. I would never been in Hong Kong and at Li Po Chun United World College without all of your help! Many thanks!

Next year I’ll be studying in Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana USA for my four years of undergraduate program. I’ll keep you updated! (As long as I am not busy! ;)

PS: do you know what? I got an award for effort and improvement on Graduation Day!! Oh my God! At that time I was like, “They gotta be kidding me!” Anyway, thanks to God! I could never do any better without Him! ;)

Natalino’s reflections of RCNUWC
Over the last four months since I have joined RCNUWC Norway, I found my life experience has changed a lot in many aspects, like I have got to meet other people from all over the world with different background and culture, improving my English, learning to be independent, and sharing the experience which is a good chance for me to introduce East Timor to other friends, teachers and staff. Because East Timor is a new country and not many people knows about it. I also found the college is very supportive and friendly. And it make me feel like never been away from home.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you to The Blair Forster Memorial Trust for the scholarship and I hope that Blair Forster Memorial Trust will keep supporting East Timorese students, so the young generation will use this opportunity in order to contribute to the development of our beloved country, Timor-Leste.

Update: Friday, 16 January, two days after I had submitted the online application; I got an acceptance email that offer me admission to the class of 2013 at Methodist University with full scholarship. This is a real blessing! I'm so happy, especially, because they accepted me just in two days! At least, now I just need to focus on the IB. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

Jenny Lu) Penang International School
Joaninha Auxiliadora Maria Lu (Jenny Lu) Penang International School, Malaysia 2004 - 2006

My name is Joaninha Auxiliadora Maria Lu. I come from the small town of Baucau in Timor-Leste. I was one of the very first Blair Forster Scholars, in 2004, which enabled me to take up a scholarship at Uplands School, Penang Island, Malaysia.

The scholarship from Blair Forster Memorial Trust was one of my dreams that came true as I come from a family that has financial problems. I wished to improve my English language and also I wanted to gain more academic qualification from another country.

Through my studies in Malaysia I have reached these two goals. This has really helped me a lot in my current career as a UN staff member (the photo above is of me with my colleagues) where in my daily work I have to meet people from different cultures.

With my academic experience at Uplands, I also recently passed the 2009 Australian scholarship test. The Blair Forster Memorial Trust has therefore brought me several opportunities, foremost being now able to now go to La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, where I will be taking an undergraduate course in Finance.

Thank you so much, Blair Forster Memorial Trust. I believe you have given me the best time in my life. You have made my life brighter. At Uplands I not only improved my English and reached a very high academic level, but I also established friendships with many students from different countries. Thank you!