International Study in the Time of COVID-19

BAFTX has long known about the benefits of studying overseas. The exposure to a different culture, different mindset, different theories, different ways of presenting information and encouraging curiosity and research, even the opportunity to get on an airplane and be responsible for one’s own destination are all game changers, particularly for underprivileged young people. We know our BAFTX scholars return from overseas more confident, more mature, more independent, and ready to complete their study with renewed enthusiasm and energy.

However, this year, COVID-19 had different plans for the BAFTX overseas study program.

Our Junior Achiever students were unable to spend their 2 weeks in London. Having raised enough funds to expand this program to ten high school juniors rather than our usual six, and having selected and met our scholars and their families, explained what air travel was like, how cars in the UK drive on the other side of the road and that electrical sockets are different, we were devastated to have to cancel this program. Our 2020 Junior Achievers will not have this opportunity next year as the program is only open to high school juniors. The scholars we selected are brilliant and gifted young people and we are confident that they will be selected for other programs and accolades as their careers progress, but their disappointment was palpable.

Our students from Texas A&M studying in Swansea were also caught up in the early days of COVID-19 and had to cut short their studies at Swansea University to return home. They did manage to experience life at a British university and saw the benefit of working across international borders:

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“[The semester overseas] really made me see the collective benefit that we could gain from having a better understanding of how the academics of another country work, especially within subjects of medical engineering with this current situation. There's a lot to gain from having a better mutual understanding of each other when it comes to how we approach conflicts in medicine and public health. And it's really made me excited to join industries like the ones at the forefront of vaccines and treatments for the virus.”

Esteban Ramirez, Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, Phillips 66 scholar 2020

Other students have had to innovate to benefit from their semester abroad, sponsored by BAFTX. Tyree “Equiano” Jackson is undertaking his semester abroad at Edinburgh University virtually. Although he won’t get to experience the lochs and glens of Scotland this year, he will benefit from tuition, insight and research from one of the UK’s top colleges and remains philosophical:

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“After months of coaxing myself to study abroad and planning to make the trip to Scotland this fall, I was gravely disappointed to have to cancel that trip. I had so many plans to travel Europe and photograph my trip for many memories to remember. I now will be staying here in Texas to study abroad virtually. I never thought it would come to this but I still wanted the experience of learning with a different instructional style and also take classes I wouldn’t be able to at my home university. I know this is a first for everyone including the many organizers and university staff members that have been assisting me to make this possible. This experience has required so much patience and determination, but despite everything I want to make this best out of this opportunity!”

Tyree “Equiano” Jackson, Computer Science, University of Texas, Vantage Drilling scholar 2020

However, we have had some success with a British student in Texas this Fall, undertaking a postgraduate course at Texas A&M. Defying the odds, Kelechi Ukaegbu, who is sponsored by Anderson Anderson and Brown in Aberdeen, UK, obtained a student visa for the USA and a flight from London to start her course.

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“So far my time in Texas has been very good! I am really enjoying being on campus and clinics. I cannot wait to explore more of Dallas! COVID did cause some disruption at the very start of the course but the faculty at TAMU were very helpful and understanding.”

Kelechi Ukaegbu, Periodontics, Texas A&M University, Anderson Anderson & Brown scholar 2020

While COVID-19 has certainly tested us with respect to scholarships and overseas study, BAFTX has been able to pivot and support its scholars through online and in person overseas study where possible. We hope that we can bring the live-changing benefits of international experience to underprivileged scholars in years to come.

BABC Texas to invest in BAFTX scholars

The Houston-based transatlantic networking group, British American Business Council of Texas (BABC Texas), is to offer free membership to scholars sponsored by its sister organization, the British American Foundation of Texas (BAFTX). This agreement will provide BAFTX scholars with individual support from BABC Texas mentors and educational events throughout the year to build on the professional development and networking they started as university students. 

BABC Texas, part of the British American Business Network and one of 22 chapters across the USA, provides its members with networking, business development, thought-leadership, and mentoring services. BAFTX was founded in 2006 by BABC Texas to offer educational scholarships to gifted students from low income households across Texas. Since then, BAFTX has awarded $1.38 million to nearly 800, many of whom have since graduated and are forging careers for themselves.

Kevin Howard MBE, Chairman of both BABC Texas and BAFTX said “As BAFTX scholars embark on their careers, BABC Texas is proud to support them and ensure they have the necessary tools to build on their education and excel in their careers.”

BAFTX alumni who are already in the workplace will be invited to apply for free membership of the BABC Texas Young Professionals program and take advantage of networking events, support and mentoring.

Richard Hyde, Her Majesty’s Consul General and BABC Texas Board Member, said “I'm delighted to see BAFTX and BABC Texas partnering to provide additional support to BAFTX scholars as they enter the workplace. Both organizations have a long history of working together. This partnership is a real demonstration of the Special Relationship being delivered though the British community in Texas. This ongoing support to BAFTX students as they complete their university education is imperative in today's working world and I commend BAFTX and BABC Texas for their long-term vision for these students.”

It's been quite a year.....

Except it hasn’t really. It’s been six months, almost to the day, since we started sheltering and distancing, adapting to our new, unwelcome normal. And in that time our lives have been turned upside down, some to a greater extent than others.

In mid March, as COVID-19 was making itself know in our daily lives in Texas, and with two weeks to go before our scholarship application deadline, we started to notice that applicants were citing the pandemic as a reason for applying for college funding. We serve communities that work in sectors badly affected by COVID-19: hospitality and service industries. We heard tales of parents losing work and being unexpectedly unemployed due to the virus, small businesses floundering and students themselves laid off from retail and fast food jobs. We knew our community was hurting. And while we don’t supply PPE or fund research or foot medical bills, we can support in the best way we know how - by offering hope. It quickly became apparent, with a 68% increase in undergraduate applications alone, that we needed to step up our scholarships.

In 2020 we awarded $190,000 to 57 beneficiaries, compared to $138,000 to 42 beneficiaries in 2019. Of our 57 beneficiaries this year, 30 are female, 23 are females majoring in STEM and 6 of those were awarded our dedicated $5,000 Women in STEM scholarships. We are so proud to support the workforce of tomorrow, ensuring that they are able to access education and use their talent and ambition to make a difference.

Thank you very much for providing me with this scholarship. I’m very grateful for it. It helps my parents. And I’m very thankful for this scholarship because I don’t come from a very rich household where really we struggle. I have two other siblings already in college. So my going to college next year, that’s more financial burden for them.
— ONYEKACHI OHUAKANWA, UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLAR 2020, BUSINESS ACCOUNTING, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Wine Women and Song

On March 7th, the British American Foundation of Texas held its annual Wine Women and Song. Along with 217 ladies, champagne, tea and shortbread, the Fab 5 and several raffle prizes, the event featured a speech from a remarkable young lady. BAFTX Junior Achiever 2019, Edna Gutiérrez took the mic and explained how the BAFTX Junior Achiever program, 2 weeks experiencing British culture, history, arts and politics, had been a once in a lifetime experience:

“When I came back, I noticed that my neighbors believed I was lying about going to the UK, saying that “someone like me and who lives in a trailer could never possibly have the money to go”.

An emotionally charged speech that came straight from the heart of this high school Senior revealed just how the program has changed her:

“Having this opportunity, has changed me in more ways than I can say. Before this trip, I never really felt comfortable with the idea of leaving my home and going to an entirely different state or country. Luckily, now I do. I was accepted into Colgate University last month and I feel as though I am better prepared to continue my career somewhere that isn’t Houston, Texas. As a first-generation college student and American, having this opportunity was something that seemed unreachable. I feel more confident being independent, making new friendships, and a lot more certain and comfortable with my future.”

This is why we fundraise for this program. So that young people in Texas have the opportunity to dream beyond their county, to dare to apply to college out of state, to achieve their goals. The program is offered at the end of their Junior year, at a pivotal point in their academic career, before they commit to college in state when, really, they are destined for Ivy League institutions.

BAFTX is committed to this life-changing program, so much so that we are expanding it this summer, so that more students than ever, just like Edna, are able to dream bigger when it comes to college. In 2020, BAFTX will fund ten places on this program instead of the usual six.

Thank you to all our event guests, volunteers, donors and supporters - we can’t achieve this without you.

BAFTX Gala 2019

BAFTX GALA

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2019

The British American Foundation of Texas held its 2019 gala on November 16th in the Grand Ballroom of the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. The evening was a great success, “the best gala in Houston” with stiltwalkers, a champagne raffle, wine pull, live art, silent and live auctions, inspiring (and entertaining!) speakers, confetti cannons, live music from the Fab 5 and much more. Our guests loved the event, a real occasion to celebrate, party and fundraise.

Photographs of the event are available here.

Our Flagship Platinum sponsor at our 2019 Gala was BP America, we are thrilled to have their support as we raise funds for education in Texas. We raised $360,000 for our mission.

Other sponsors for this event include TD Securities, Apache Corporation, Phillips 66, Janet & John Carrig, Linda & Willie Chiang, ConocoPhillips, Crestwood Equity Partners LP, Enterprise Products Partners LP, Jennifer & Benjamin Fink, Kristina Kazarian & Daniel Dunay, Stephanie & Mark Mixon, Vantage Drilling, Enbridge, Weatherford, Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP, The Awty International School, Bracewell LLP, The Maren & Gary Brauchle Charitable Foundation, British International School of Houston, CBRE, DNV GL, Ducatus Partners, ExxonMobil, Hakluyt, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Kevin Howard MBE, Nadia & Marcus Durant, King & Spalding LLP, Nancy & Lamar McKay, Pat & Kevin Mitchell, Amy & Robert Pierce, Sally & Mark Sooby, TGS and Wood Mackenzie.

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Junior Achievers 2019 - they're back!

A part of me always thought that by being Hispanic and from a low income family, I wouldn’t be able to go out of state for college or even just travel. But this scholarship really made me realize that there is so much our world has to offer and that I want to experience it.

When I came back from our trip many of my neighbors said “I bet now she wants to go to Greece and France and many more” as a joke, but the truth is, I really do and now I can see myself traveling in the future.

In addition, before this trip colleges in London weren’t even on my list, but now I’m looking into other colleges out of state and even out of the country.
— Edna Gutierrez, Junior Achiever 2019

Our Junior Achievers are back from their British Studies Summer Program and fired up with the possibility of spreading their wings for college.

Yet again, this first overseas experience shows young people just what is out there for them and what they can experience just by stepping outside their comfort zone. Already aiming for college, our Junior Achievers are smart, gifted and driven…. But with no blueprint for college, as mostly first generation Americans and all first generation college students, their ambitions are often misaligned with their potential. They are often Ivy League material, capable of study and achievement at the highest levels. Our Junior Achiever program shows them that by aiming higher, they will achieve more.

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We could not be more proud of these future leaders as they set their sights higher and embark on incredible adventures. We’ll keep you posted on their achievements.

Impressing the Impressive

It’s not an easy task to impress a room full of C-suite executives.

But the British American Foundation of Texas achieved this last week at its Awards Ceremony.

When we ask our donors, who are CEOs, COOs, CFOs, Presidents and Directors, to introduce our scholars and present scholarship awards to these #globalleadersoftomorrow, they find themselves talking about young people who are All-State Champions, non-profit founders, coaches and tutors, club and school government Presidents, volunteers, fundraisers, interns, webmasters and Lead Quartermasters, on top of being A grade students.

The British American Foundation of Texas Class of 2019

The British American Foundation of Texas Class of 2019

And this is apart from mentioning that they are actively involved in organizations such as National Honors Society, Math National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, Women in STEM, Honors College Student Organization, eNABLE, SPHEtina, Girls Engineering the Future, Association of Black Computer Scientists, Q++, All-State Band, Corps of Cadets, STEM Scholars of America, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America and Breakthrough Houston to name a few…..

It’s a privilege to watch our benefactors meet with the next generation of their industry, our future STEM leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, engineers, innovators and, even more so, to be a part of enabling these fiercely intelligent and ambitious young people to finish their education and graduate.

But scholarships are not just about the academic funding.

True, they play an essential role in our students completing their studies, but the acknowledgement from industry that our students are on the path to success and the faith that we place in them by supporting them, spurs them on to work harder, to aim higher and to achieve more.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity. It means a lot to me that others are willing to invest in my education. It is my full intent to pass on this act.”

Ariana Morris – Undergraduate Award – Mathematics, Texas A&M

And we also help form a generation of compassionate, philanthropic future leaders with a “pay it forward” mindset, confident in the knowledge that they will be in a position to return the favor one day.

“This award will impact my future by helping me be the first in my family to attend college and by inspiring me to graduate and give back to my community.”

Ashley Sessums – Undergraduate Award – Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston

The “giving back” theme is not only in financial terms, but many of our scholars hope to inspire those who follow them too.

“Ultimately this award will aid me in inspiring young women to step out of their own comfort zone through the work I will do.”

Stephanie Zuniga – Undergraduate Award – Software Engineering, Texas State University

It is thanks to our benefactors that we are able to award these scholarships, that we can provide the support to allow these young people to graduate, that they are inspired, believed in and energized.

And we look forward to impressing another “tough crowd” of C-suite executives in 2020.


Photos from the BAFTX 2019 Awards Ceremony are available here.