ACS Alumni support summer scholarships - ACS International Schools

01/10/2019

ACS Alumni support summer scholarships

ACS alumni support summer scholarships for US-based academically able and deserving students.

Two ACS International Schools alumni have personally supported scholarship places as part of the British Studies Summer Programme (British Studies), a residential experience hosted by ACS International School Cobham, for academically able and deserving students aged 15 – 17 living in the United States.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, twenty-three students from seven US states, stayed at ACS Cobham’s state-of-the-art boarding house in Surrey and visited many of England’s famous historical and cultural sites. Now in its 21st year, the programme is co-funded by ACS International Schools In America Inc. Bryan Kujala and Sam McGee are ACS Cobham alumni from the US, graduating in 1998 and 1994 respectively.

Both have created new scholarship opportunities allowing extra students from their hometowns of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Austin, Texas to take part in the summer study scheme this year and in 2020. Sam and Bryan worked with local school leaders to identify potential scholarship candidates from their cities’ more disadvantaged neighbourhoods, ensuring that students who were selected would get the most out of the overseas travel-study programme. Bryan commented:

“ACS had a significant impact on me and my world view. I think that the idea of global citizenship is important and ACS built that foundation for me. Now living in a relatively small community in the upper Midwest of the US, I wanted to give back and knew the British Studies programme was a possible opportunity to share my experience with others.”

As part of this year’s trip, students visited Westminster Abbey; the royal residences of Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace; Portsmouth Dockyard; a performance of Henry V at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; a walking tour of London; and enjoyed the Natural History, Science and the Victoria and Albert museums. Scholars also spent the day at Oxford University.

Sam commented: “The British Studies Scholarship provides an opportunity for bright and deserving students to have a world-class overseas educational experience. ACS alumni were fortunate to have attended such a fine experience in schooling and it’s an honour to give back and provide a unique opportunity for an aspiring student.”

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