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Burnaby-based students earn this $12K scholarship to study abroad

Two Simon Fraser University students, currently in Scotland and Germany, and their educational goals have caught the eye of Premier David Eby.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
studyingabroadklaus-vedfeltdigitalvisiongettyimages
Two Burnaby-based students have earned a special scholarship to help them continue to study abroad.Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/Getty Images

An scholarship that awards up to $12,000 to study abroad has been bestowed to two Burnaby post-secondary students.

Emma MacEachern and Viviane Wu are currently in Scotland and Germany respectively as part of the educational journey, and both, along with 25 other students, recently garnered Premier David Eby's attention.

The Simon Fraser University (SFU) students were each named recipients of the 2023 Premier's International Scholarship.

According to a release, MacEachern and Wu have demonstrated "exceptional academic achievement" and understand "how a globally literate citizenry impacts our society."

"You have worked hard in pursuing your educational goals and we salute you," said Eby, speaking of the 27 total recipients of the annual bursary. 

"We know this is just the next step on your journey. Your friends, your family, and your communities cannot wait to see what you achieve, as you help to build a better world for all of us."

MacEachern is in Scotland studying French, while Wu is in Germany learning art and visual history. They represent a class that's studying in 15 different parts around the world.

The value they each received is not known, but a Premier's International Scholarship can range from $8,000 to $12,000.

The money comes from the returns on a $17-million endowment fund established by the province for international education.

"Many of B.C.'s exceptional students understand the importance of a global perspective," said BC Scholarship Society Chair Firas Abbasi.

"Leaving one's home, family, and community for prolonged periods of time in pursuit of knowledge can be challenging in many ways. This prestigious award supports our students' mission to enrich our understanding of global affairs and improve our relationships with the rest of the world."

The society has awarded more than $34 million in international education funding for post-secondary students since its inception in 2006.

For more information, or to see if you're eligible for the funding, you can visit the BC Scholarship Society's website.