Who Cares? Scotland offering Harvard Summer School scholarships
Who Cares? Scotland is inviting young people with care experience to apply to Harvard University’s 2018 Summer School.
The charity has provided Harvard Summer School scholarships over the past seven years, and has developed a relationship with the University as part of their commitment to encourage the educational aspirations of young people with care experience.
Two students will have the chance to spend their summer studying at one of America’s most prestigious universities, benefiting from college level academic courses.
CELCIS Education Programme Adviser Dr Graham Connelly, who helped to devise the Who Cares? Scotland Harvard scholarship programme, said:
“This is a marvellous opportunity for young people from care to travel abroad and take part in a full university experience. The programme’s existence demonstrates the highest ambitions for our looked after young people.”
One young person with care experience who benefited from taking part in the Harvard Summer School is 22-year-old Callum Lynch. Now a Public Affairs Ambassador for Who Cares? Scotland, he was given the chance to take part in the scholarship scheme several years ago.
A recent Marketing and HR management graduate from the University of Strathclyde, Callum was accompanied to his graduation ceremony at the University by a VIP guest, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister was previously interviewed by Callum at a 1000 Voices event in Paisley, as part of the Independent Care Review – the Government commissioned review of Scotland’s care system.
On Callum’s achievement, the First Minister tweeted:
“Callum is living proof that with the right support, young people who grow up in care can go on to achieve their dreams. We owe that to all our young people.”
image from @NicolaSturgeon on twitter
As well as enjoying seven weeks of learning at one of the world’s finest educational establishments, the successful applicants will also experience what it’s like to live independently, and will take part in a range of cultural and sporting activities.
Rashida and Elina took part in the Summer School in 2017. Watch a video to learn about their Harvard experience.
To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must be at least 15-years-old by the 1 December 2017, and will not turn 20-years-old before 31 July 2018.
Applicants must be care experienced, meaning that they have been in either residential care, foster care, kinship care, secure care, or looked after at home.
The deadline for applications is Friday 1 December.