For Steven Mukum, an undergraduate student at Swarthmore College, his road to the prestigious liberal arts college in Pennsylvania was far from linear.
Growing up in one of the anglophone regions of Cameroon, which was greatly affected by the sociopolitical crisis, Steven was one of thousands of students that had to put an end to their education because of the war.
As he stated:
December 2017 marked a break in my education; for six months, I had to stop my high school attendance and leave my hometown. Leaving my family and hometown and beginning this new education six months later in a new city was one of the hardest experiences I faced in my life, but [it was] the only solution if I wanted to continue my education. In Yaoundé, this new city, I experienced language barriers and social marginalization for being part of a different ethnicity, but the drive to "change my story", as my mom usually says, was stronger and I found ways to adapt…This crisis did not just forge my determined personality but created a real purpose to my potential career path in human rights and international development.
Steven is one of the 16 winners of Flywire’s annual academic scholarships, selected from more than 2,500 applicants who are pursuing degrees that advance global health, social justice, global citizenship and environmental sustainability. The scholarship will enable Steven to continue his coursework as a Global Studies, Human Rights and Economics major to come up with innovative yet sustainable ways to promote human rights and social change.
Having launched its scholarship program four years ago, Flywire doubled the number of scholarships it awarded this year to 16 in order to support a wider pool of scholars and provide them the resources they need to keep pursuing their dreams. Each scholarship recipient has lived through major hardship, yet found a way to turn those challenges into more fuel to positively impact the world around them.
One winner - an immigrant and first-generation college student - is combining a degree in public health and public policy to train physicians on cultural awareness for a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare system. Another winner is studying how to improve ecosystem health through implementing sustainable practices in industries using marine resources. And another - who speaks Russian, Chinese, English and Korean - will combine a degree in economics and international relations to work to bring more peace between conflict nations and in their spare time, will volunteer to teach English in rural regions.
This year’s winners are from Cameroon, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Liberia, Nigeria, and the United States, and are primarily studying outside their home country. What’s more, based on their essays this year, their impact will undoubtedly have a global reach.
Meet a few of our scholars
The 2023 Flywire Scholarship has been a pivotal stepping stone in realizing my lifelong aspirations. In a country where local institutions do not offer Culinary Management studies, the admission offer from Nova Scotia Community College and, more crucially, the Flywire Scholarship has not only given me a chance but has also unleashed a profound passion within me. Today, I am exceptionally well-prepared to explore the exciting convergence of culinary arts, sustainability, and environmental consciousness and how to deploy it in the socio-environmental landscape in Nigeria.
Omotoni Idris
I am incredibly grateful and honored to be named a Flywire social justice scholar. I am a displaced person from the socio-political crises in Cameroon and I have experienced forced displacement and marginalization within my own community. This has forged my determined personality and provided the zeal and commitment in using social impact as an instrument for peace. To be recognized for impact within this field is delightful and proves my impact is valued. This scholarship will significantly help me continue my education at Swarthmore College by completing my tuition at the College.
Steven Mukum
I am grateful to be awarded the 2023 Flywire Charitable Foundation academic scholarship. This scholarship will allow me to properly finance my collegiate aspirations and confidently pursue my academic goals. During college, I am eager to explore concepts around educational equity and the intersection of politics and economics. I am excited to use my time in college to advance social justice throughout the world.
Adiyah Obolu
The 2023 Flywire Scholarship has been a pivotal stepping stone in realizing my lifelong aspirations. In a country where local institutions do not offer Culinary Management studies, the admission offer from Nova Scotia Community College and, more crucially, the Flywire Scholarship has not only given me a chance but has also unleashed a profound passion within me. Today, I am exceptionally well-prepared to explore the exciting convergence of culinary arts, sustainability, and environmental consciousness and how to deploy it in the socio-environmental landscape in Nigeria.
Toni Idris
Additional scholars include:
(* please note that due to opt-outs, this does not include all of the names of this year’s winners)
Karina Abyskeva, from Kazakhstan, studying at Yonsei University, Underwood International College
Milagros Costabel, from Uruguay, studying at Harvard University
Ethan San Miguel, from the United States, studying at Oregon State University
Ahimsa Shakti, from the United States, studying at Carlow University
Nicolas Quijano Franco, from Colombia, studying at Earlham College
Funmilayo Ogunfolabi, from Nigeria, studying at University of Miskolc
Khrista Nicholas, from the United States, studying at University of Miami
Donghun Bang, from the Republic of Korea, studying at Yonsei University, Underwood International College
Katherine Carney, from the United States, studying at Rogue Community College
Meshach Koley, from Liberia, studying at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University