São Paulo – Brazilian public high school students from Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Amapá states may apply until February 28 to participate in a free exchange program in Egypt in July. This trip is part of the program BP Global STEM Academy, the result of a partnership between international organization AFS and oil company BP, focusing in science, technology, engineering and math.
Ten scholarships will be granted to Brazilians. Children of BP employees from any Brazilian state may apply, as well as students from some cities the company has units at and from cities around them: Edéia, Porteirão, Acrepuna, Indiara, Turvelândia, Castelândia, Santa Helena, Itumbiara, and Cachoeira Dourada in Goiás; and Ituiutaba and Gurinhatã, in Minas Gerais. Applications are also available for students from all Amapá cities.
The program has an Egyptian branch called Egypt Global STEM Academy, where it formed partnerships with the Information Technology Institute (ITI) and organizations focused on sustainable growth and climate change where the students will have classes and workshops. The focus of the activities in Egypt will be technology and United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals.
In addition to classes and workshops, the chosen students will meet BP representatives in Egypt to learn about their professions and be inspired by them. They will also have activities to know Egyptian cultural, improve language and intercultural skills, including Arabic classes and visits to historical places. The students will stay in the homes of local families, who are volunteers approved by AFS.
According to information by AFS, the program aims to encourage the development of knowledge among students in the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The initiative is specifically oriented to these areas and their integrated applications in developing global competences such as language skills, adaptability, problem solving, collaboration, and the ability to bridge the gap between culturally different people.
To apply for the scholarships, the student must have been born between 1 December 2001 and 1 June 2004, live in certain cities (mentioned above), be studying in a public school in 2019 (except for children of BP employees, who may be from private schools), have a basic to intermediate English level, be interested in and have a great academic performance in sciences, chemistry, physics and math.
The program in Egypt starts in June 27 and goes until 23 July 2019. In addition to the Arab country, applications are also opened for scholarships in the United States program, from July 7 to August 1st. Both scholarships cover the four-week program, accommodation, food, round-trip ticket (including the domestic portion to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro), health insurance, guiding, visa fee, transportation to visa issuance place (Amapá residents), and passport issuance fee.
Students may apply through the AFS application website. The destination – United States or Egypt – will be appointed by the scholarship organization, but the applicant may indicate their preference. The result will be published in March 28.
BP company is sponsoring the scholarships. A total of 100 of them will be granted, being 10 for Brazilians only. Responsible for the program, AFS is an organization focused on intercultural programs, also providing the option for payed experiences, in addition to receiving foreign students in Brazil (picture above). As a non-profit organization, however, all revenue is reinvested in activities linked to the programs, such as volunteer training, orientation for the students and the volunteering families, among others
Quick Facts:
BP Global STEM Academy
Exchange scholarship program– Egypt and USA
Application deadline: 28 February 2019
More information here
