Our Lady's alumni making most of Wien Scholarship    

MAKING the most of the prestigious Wien Scholarship administered by Brandeis University in Boston  is Our Lady’s grammar alumni Oliwia Ostafinska. 

 Miss Ostafinska, who in addition to having an exemplary academic record during her tenure at Our Lady’s also underwent work experience with the Newry Democrat, has for the past two months been  fulfilling her dream of studying as a Business Major at the institution situated on the outskirts of one of the oldest cities on Americas east coast. 

Brandeis University, whose lineage strectches back to when it was established in 1948  by the American Jewish community at a time when Jews and other  minorities  faced discrimination in higher education, serves as a research  university with a global reach wherein all students are nurtured to the highest potential with many members of the faculty at the institution being on the cutting edge in their respective fields.  

 It is owing to the global ethos that underpins the academic acumen of Brandeis that they offer the Wien Scholarship affording academically excellent students from underrepresented countries around the globe an opportunity to undergo higher level education at the establishment whilst accommodating for all of their financial needs.  

Suffice to say given her stellar record of achievement during her time at Our Lady’s as well as the myriad of extra curricular activities  she engaged in whilst a pupil their  Oliwia was a prime candidate  to avail of the scholarship, with the Newry native  now doing  her very best at what only a select few are ever given the opportunity to do, live the American dream.   

Catching her breathe

“Im looking back at October two years ago and younger me would’ve been shocked to hear I’ve actually made it out here to the East Coast, said Oliwia.

“I’ve been at Brandeis since the end of August, and the main challenge so far has been letting myself breathe, as I’ve just been so eager to do anything and everything due to the endless opportunities. It’s also a massive change, as expected when you move to a whole new continent.

Unlike higher level education in the United Kingdom and Ireland whereby most students are expected to dedicate themselves exclusively to one field of study, Oliwia explained how Brandies like most higher level education institutions in the United States follows the liberal arts curriculum meaning she is able to avail of classes in several different fields of study.  

Wide field of study

“Because my college (like most US institutions) follows the Liberal Arts curriculum, I’ve been able to take classes in several different subjects and not limit myself to just one field. I’ll be Majoring in Business, but I’m also taking ‘fun’ classes in Arts, Journalism and Sociology. Life in Boston is so bright and exciting, there’s so much to do and to see.

“ Leading on from that, everyone here has such a ‘can do’ mindset, whereby it’s so natural to hear people talk about owning multiple businesses, or getting multiple degrees, and travelling to places I’ve only ever seen in movies. Everyone’s just at peace and happy to be here, the only thing that I’m missing is a Grounded coffee and people knowing what I mean when I ask what ‘the craic’ is.”

For those wishing to follow in Oliwia’s footsteps and pursue a course at Brandeis she also is willing to impart a few words of  advice for those with the prerequisite level of academic  accomplishment and most importantly ambition to do what she did and act as a pioneer to new shores just as the brave pilgrims did over four centuries ago.

Words of Wisdom

“The Wien Scholarship honours high-achieving international students from underrepresented countries and meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need, which allows recipients to graduate debt free.

“It covers tuition, room and board, travel, and other expenses such as books and health insurance. Those interested must be a non-US citizen with a strong academic record, and demonstrate community engagement outside of the classroom.

“The Sutton Trust US Programme (organised by Fulbright) helped me with my application materials and interview preparation, as the US has its own equivalent of UCAS which is a little harder to navigate.

“I applied to it at the beginning of Lower Sixth, so I’d advise those currently in 6th year to apply; you also get a free trip to America.

“My best advice is to say yes to every opportunity you’re given, and don’t dwell negatively on setbacks, America puts so much emphasis on personal growth, stay ambitious and put in all the work you can.”