Reynolds secondary student Erinne Paisley is, in the eyes of the world, a global citizen, having recently earned a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom and Germany.
The Grade 11 student is one of 10 from across the country who earned a 2014 Education First Global Citizen Scholarship, which will see the group travel to the U.K. for a youth empowerment event, followed by a cultural tour of Europe, where they’ll end their experience at a science and innovation summit in Berlin.
“I’m super excited. I love to travel and immerse myself in other cultures, and I think that’s part of the reason I’m a global citizen,” the 16-year-old said. “I’m also very involved in leadership and I’m aware of what’s going on in the world.
“For me to get this chance to meet other people that live a completely different life than you on the same globe is so amazing,” Paisley added.
Susanna Dawson, with Education First, which runs the scholarship program, said Paisley and the other Canadian high schoolers who earned the award are all engaged in the world around them.
“They recognize the local implications of critical global issues, and they’re prepared to apply what they learn (in Europe) to inspire change and innovate in their own local communities,” she said.
Paisley will travel to Europe next spring to take part in the experience.
For more information on the EF Global Citizen Scholarship, visit eftours.ca/globalcitizen.
kslavin@saanichnews.com