Women Scholarships for International Students - 2024 Finalists

These 6 candidates stood out from thousands of applicants as outstanding women with passion, perseverance and global-mindedness. They are presented in alphabetical order by surname below.

Soumeya’s Background

Embarking on an exciting phase in her career, Soumeya is pursuing a Master's in Advanced Nursing. With a strong foundation in nursing, she has always strived to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to her patients. Soumeya firmly believes that furthering her education in nursing will enable her to make a significant impact in Somalia's healthcare sector.

How Soumeya chose her country of study

Soumeya chose Malaysia due to its world-class educational institutions, especially her university of choice, the International Islamic University. She was attracted to the university's rich and diverse academic environment, which would advance her professional competencies and introduce her to a new, diverse environment.

How Soumeya plans to become a globally minded leader

Soumeya's ambition extends beyond her studies. She envisions herself as a globally-minded leader in healthcare, a vision that studying in an international setting is crucial. By immersing herself in a diverse environment, she aims to contribute to health systems and patients worldwide, particularly in underprivileged areas. Her goal is not just to provide care but to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities through improved cross-cultural collaboration and understanding.

Micaela’s Background

Coming from a family with a strong background in literature, Micaela found transitioning to a STEM field challenging. However, after attending a technology conference, she decided to take the leap of faith to pursue a career in computer science and technology – finally coming 2nd place in her course!

How Micaela chose her country of study

Beyond the University of Coimbra's esteemed status, Portugal is a suitable country for those with Peruvian passports. Peruvians can combine work and studies in Portugal, making it an attractive option for Micaela, who wants to improve her work experience alongside her studies.

How Micaela plans to become a globally minded leader

She is determined to be a globally minded leader by showing that STEM careers are not out of reach of women. Micaela aims to start her own company, prioritize hiring Peruvian women in STEM, and, hopefully, have the company grow to a point where she can employ international women too.

Annija’s Background

Annija comes from a rural part of Latvia. From an early age, she wanted to explore the world, gain new knowledge, and develop her skills. This curiosity encouraged her to think critically and embrace challenges at a young age, such as working abroad in Norway at 16. Since her first international experience at 16, she has never looked back. She aspires to continue working abroad while making a meaningful impact worldwide.

How Annija chose her country of choice

Annija chose ESCP in France for multiple reasons. Beyond being one of the best business schools in the world, She loved that it offered her the opportunity to study in various countries. For instance, though the Master's begins on the Paris campus, the next semester is on the London campus. This way, she gets to study in multiple cities, meet people from different walks of life, and grow her academic, business, and intercultural skills all in one.

How Annija plans to become a globally minded leader

Annija plans to apply her lived and academic experiences to bridge cultural and societal gaps. Having already begun her active involvement in the World Economic Forum Initiative in Latvia, she aims to build a deep understanding of environmental sustainability and economic inequalities. Her ultimate goal is to inspire positive change by addressing these issues with innovative, inclusive solutions that make a lasting impact worldwide.

Maryam’s Background

Coming from a small city in Iran, Maryam's love for computers led her to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. Since a young age, she has aspired to study abroad due to her interest in different cultures, languages, and social dynamics. Therefore, it was no question that when she got an offer from Umeå University, she took the opportunity.

How Maryam chose her country of choice

Sweden's reputation in IT, Human-Computer Interaction, and gaming, combined with the Master's emphasis on innovation, made it the perfect place for her to grow academically and professionally. Moreover, Sweden's being one of the most gender-equal and women-friendly countries reassured her that it was an environment where she would thrive.

How Maryam plans to become a globally minded leader

Within just one month of studying Human-Computer interaction, Maryam already sees how its principles can be applied across many different areas and globally. One of Maryam's main goals is to address a significant gap in technological design: the fact that systems are traditionally designed with men in mind, overlooking the needs and experiences of women. She aims to change this and apply feminist Human-Computer Interaction so that women globally can feel represented and comfortable using technology in their daily lives.

Desiree’s Background

Desiree is a Trinidadian attorney with a corporate law, technological policy, and judicial research background. As a Judicial Research Assistant, she gained valuable experience in legal analysis and court systems, which deepened her interest in how AI, trust, and safety intersect. She aims to develop policies like AI regulation, content moderation, and international law.

How Desiree chose her country of choice

Desiree had the opportunity to visit Barcelona and fell in love with its soul—its balance of old-world charm, culture, heritage protection, and openness to expansion. For her, the city mirrors the relationship between law, which is deeply rooted in history, and the fast pace of technology. As a bonus, she is excited to practice her Spanish skills in a truly immersive and practical way!

How Desiree plans to become a globally minded leader

Coming from the Caribbean, she has witnessed the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and community-based problem-solving. By applying these principles of collectivism, she aims to foster collaboration and inclusivity on a global scale. She believes that by understanding the unique challenges faced by smaller nations and integrating empathy into leadership, she can drive meaningful, equitable change in international law, trade, and technology policy.

Are you inspired by these amazing finalists?

Apply now to our 2025 batch of Women Scholarships for Internationals Students. Click below to learn about the current eligibility and the application process!