Cebuana gets college grant, appeals for financial help

Micaella Chyven Gadin is one of the nine Filipinos offered to study at the United World College in Costa Rica. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Inspired by international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, a 17-year-old Cebuana aspires to become one someday.

But Micaella Chyven Gadin wants fellow Cebuanos to become a significant partner in reaching her dreams of obtaining an international law specialization.

Gadin seeks the assistance of her fellow Cebuanos and Cebuanas to help fund her study abroad.

“We want to be able to get the word out to be able to help her,” said Cybill Gayatin Guynn, an alumni of the United World Colleges (UWC) and the very first Cebuana who was granted the scholarship and now helping Gadin to raise funds for her tuition.

Guynn said there are fundraising efforts from other eight students who also received the grant and they also want to have a separate fundraising on their own.

Gadin is among the nine Filipinos and the only Cebuana granted with a chance to avail the two-year international baccalaureate program of the UWC in Costa Rica.

Although she has been given the scholarship grant, it only covers 75 percent or P2.55 million of the P3.4 million for schools fees.

This means Gadin would have to shoulder the remaining 25 percent or P900,000 cost for the tuition plus an estimated P400,000 for air fare and miscellaneous expenses.

With her acceptance at UWC, Gadin will take on the role of becoming the Philippine ambassador to the college, promoting Philippine culture while simultaneously learning about the cultures of her fellow students.

“I want to learn more and appreciate other cultures more. I wanted to eliminate stereotypes,” Gadin said in an interview.

Gadin is the eldest daughter of Benilda Quiambao- Gadin and Jose Gadin III.

An incoming senior high student, Gadin has always been an achiever. She graduated as class valedictorian at the Maranatha Christian Academy.

Recently, she ranked first among her batchmates of 166 students at Cebu City National Science High School.

Gadin is aiming to be on top of her class so she’ll be able to get the David Scholarship that would enable to fund her pre-law four year course in college.

“This will be my stepping stone to become an international lawyer,” she said.

But being able to make it to the cut, Gadin said she had to outbest the other 300 applicants all over the country even those that were studying in international private schools.

The UWC movement, which was founded in 1962 and is composed of 15 international colleges, promotes education as a unifying factor for people, nations and cultures to maintain peace and ensure a sustainable future for the world.

Its was formerly headed by its past president Nelson Mandela, and, now, it is being headed by Queen Noor of Jordan.

After her two years in Costa Rica, UWC encourages their scholars to return to their countries and help.

“I plan to also help out here. If I’ll make it, I also want to give our educational grants to students,” she said.

“I also want to give back to the education system in Cebu,” she added.

Gadin is set to leave the country by August 16 as classes there will start by the end of August.

Those who wish to help her may deposit any amount to the UWC Alumni Assn. Pilipinas Inc. Metrobank account 4427 442 015135.